Chapter 60: Episode 57

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

Words Count: 5270

Here's my usual spiel:

You can read exactly 25, maybe 26 Episodes in advanced?.

p a tr e on . com (/) LiamThePoor

A/N: I seriously need to lower my caffeine and nicotine intakes. Especially the latter, two packs per day is not a healthy amount.

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Hungover was the worst thing humans could willingly subject themselves to in my humble opinions.

What? I was exaggerating, you said? Well tough luck, it was my opinions, I was free to think whatever the fuck I wanted. Yeah, I was more than a little upset, and the fact that my head was killing me wasn’t making life any better. I groaned, tapping lightly on my head in the futile hope that it would alleviate the constant buzzing and dull aches.

It did jack for my hangover, but at least I learnt something new! Headaches from hangovers and regular headaches weren’t the same. Normally, all I had to do to get blood flowing up there was tap it hard once or twice, but this ‘technique’ only worsened the pain. What? You couldn’t blame me! I barely got hungover ever due to my aversion towards alcohols, I wasn’t taught how to deal with this.

“Hey you, you’re finally awake?” A feminine voice entered my ears. “R- Ralof, is that you?”

“No, it’s me– Ciri. Who’s Ralof?” The Witcheress tilted with a confused, awkward smile on her lips. “It’s nothing, just a– *Hiss*– A meme.”

I cautiously got up as a very, very unwelcome dose of vertigo made me lurch forwards and nearly throw up what was left of my… Lunch? Or was it dinner? I wasn’t sure, and I couldn’t be bothered to think about it either. Palming my head, I grunted, hand hastily moving to my mouth, throat closing up to prevent the vomit from surging past. “Ohhh-fuck... What the actual fuck happened?! Why do I feel like I was run over by a carriage?”

“Easy now.” The Witcheress gently supported my failing body, offering me a potion. I must admit, it looked kinda pretty with swirling mix of white and blue, yet that merely served to upset my stomach even more. “Geralt and Yennefer– My…”

I interjected, rather rudely I might add. “Geralt’s girl and your surrogate mom, I know. Yennefer of Vengerberg is quite famous, or infamous around these parts.”

Ciri huffed, crossing her arms. Now, call me crazy, but angry girls seemed much more attractive to my eyes, and my Witcheress-friend was not an exception to this rule. Maybe that’s why I kept being a dick to everyone, ‘cause they were hotter angry? What did that say about me, I wondered? “Geralt and Yen found you absolutely wasted, trashing the living room last night. Anything you have to say for yourself, Leonis?”

I uncorked the bottled potion, downing after a moment of hesitation and pinching my nose. According to Triss’ expertise and my own experience, the prettier the potion, the worse they tasted. I shuddered as the vile liquids invaded my system, every bit as bitter and sour as I had imagined. It took everything out of me to not spit it back up. “If- If you’re asking why I was drunk out of my mind, then… I had a bad day.”

I paused, grabbing my waterskin to wash off the aftertaste, which was somehow turning sourer by the second. I chugged that stuff down like a champ, using my sleeve to wipe the droplets from my chin. “Yesterday was just… One of those days, ya’ know? You’re having a happy-fun time, then some schmucks come along and decide to ruin it, things bloody spiral from there.”

A worried look crossed the Witcheress’ face as she put her hands on mine. “You want to talk about it?”

“Nope.” I popped, a tad too quick to reply as I ruffled Ciri’s hair amidst her protests. “Don’t worry your pretty lil’ head over it, Princess. I simply need to stew in my own thoughts for a few days and I’ll–”

I drawled, gesturing. “– Bounce right back.”

“Alright, if you’re sure…” Although the skepticism was thick in her tone, I was genuinely thankful that the Witcheress didn’t choose to pursue the matter further. That’s a can of worms I did not need her or anyone to delve into. Rubbing my eyes, I slinked down from the bed. “What time is it anyway?”

“Just before lunchtime. C’mon, Triss is cooking, Geralt and Yen will join us soon.” … Was that wise? Pretty sure Firefly hadn’t gotten over Geralt yet, forcing her to have lunch with them was no different than purposefully rubbing the fact in her face.

I must have said that out loud, ‘cause Ciri stopped in her track and sighed. “I know, but Triss is friend with both Geralt and Yen, she can’t avoid them her whole life. Her words, not mine.”

Groaning, I slumped. It’s way, way too fucking early for that kind of dramas. ‘Urgh… Whatever, Firefly’s a big girl, if she thinks she can handle it, I’m willing to believe her.’

“Let’s just hope they don’t make things awkward.” I swore, I was getting the fuck outta there at the first sign and/or indication of conflict. Sure, surviving the two angery Sorceresses wasn’t exactly a problem for me, but my head still felt like it had been stomped on repeatedly by a vengeful horse, I did not need their love-triangle to add on top. The Witcheress muttered back, more to herself than to me. “Hopefully.”

She loved those three like they were her own flesh-and-blood, if I thought things were going to be unpleasant, then Ciri must be extra-conscious of it. Perhaps, that’s why the Witcheress had opted to wait for me at the door, instead of joining the small reunion party on her lonesome. Not that I blamed her, how could I when, even a floor up, I could hear the deafening silence and the occasional, pathetic attempts at small-talks made by Triss and Yennefer?

No idea what the White Wolf was doing, but I sincerely doubted the guy was having an enjoyable time either. “Leonis, are you done? The food will be cold and… They’re still waiting for us.”

Ciri practically hissed/whispered that last part. I’d roll my eyes if it didn’t hurt so much to move my eyeballs, instead I just responded with a sigh as I buttoned my shirt. “Relax Princess, I’m almost done. Gotta let me look presentable at least.”

Once I was finished putting on clothes, I made for a swift exit, having decided on an all-black getup with buttoned shirt and a slightly faded pair of jeans. These weren’t projections, they were normal clothes I ordered from a nearby tailor using an obscene amount of coins, but this craftsmanship? It was well-worth the wait, I even got some for Gil, Rin and Shiro each. Gods knew those girls needed a change of clothes.

Lil’ Ember had been wearing her iconic shirt for months. My favorite Tsundere dressed like a… Well, a snobby Heiress half the times, and Gil almost exclusively wore the simple outfits her Male-Counterpart was often spotted in. It’s not like they lacked clothes either, they just had dozens of the same outfit for reasons beyond my comprehension! Even Ciri was somewhat guilty of this, albeit to a far lesser degree.

“Leonis! What are you–” The door to my room burst open as I walked out, fixing the cuffs of my shirt while the Witcheress tapped her feet impatiently. I grinned, tugging lightly on Ciri’s hand. “C’mon, let us greet your dysfunctional family.”

Bowing, I pointed both hands at the stairs. “Ladies first.”

The Witcheress huffed, rolling her eyes and marching downstairs with myself close on her heels. Needless to say, the next hour was spent in awkward silence. Ciri attempted to break the ice with varying degrees of success, Triss was… Playing around with the foods on her plate, while Geralt and Yennefer were trying their hardest to not flirt– A real practice in futility if you asked me.

As for me, I just sat and shoveled foods in my mouth like a starving African child. “Leonis Magnum, correct?”

I wiped my lips with a napkin, hurriedly swallowing the mouthful I was chewing on and facing Yennefer. The Sorceress was beautiful, I’d give her that, but something in the way she stared at me was extremely unnerving and oddly irritating. “You are correct, I am indeed Leonis Magnum and you’re Yennefer of Vengerberg, if I’m not mistaken?”

The Sorceress played along beautifully. “You are not. I heard you slew Eredin?”

“I did. Eredin was quite the fearsome foe, but he was still out-skilled when facing me.” I crossed my legs and leaned into my chair, posture portraying a sense of confidence fitting for a Magus Heir. Obviously, I was nowhere close to the Strongest Title in Nasu, but here? I was a God, literally. There were two beings currently capable of harming me, and one was the Devil himself, while the Umbral Witch was originally from Nasu.

“Perhaps he’s not as dangerous as we thought.” Yennefer said mockingly as Cirilla, sensing the growing tension in the room, stared pointedly at her estranged… Mom? “You did the same to Radovid, I heard?”

“Yes, that rabid dog. May the Devil rest his Soul.” I clasped my hands in a faux praying gesture, adding. “In all honesty, I’m surprised you guys didn’t nuke him from orbits. Bastard was a King, but he was also a normal human, Triss could have ended him in less than a minute.”

“You don’t understand, do you? What you did might fix our short-term problems, but it leaves tons of consequences that Mages and Magicals as a whole will have to deal with.” Yennefer had the nerve to scowl at me.

I bit right back. “Please, as if you and your little Lodge haven’t done worse. Assassinating Kings, making Wars. You’ve murdered more people indirectly than I have with my own hands.”

“As much as I dislike the Lodge’s way of operating, we did do it for the Greater Good. Why leave the fate of the World in the hands of men and women whose sole achievement in life is being born from the right genitalia?” The smile on my face twisted into something frigid, angry. “Whose Greater Good, yours or the World’s as a whole? All you lot and Philippa did was worsen the already terrible relationship between the mundane and the Magicals.”

Slamming my hands on the table, I practically hissed. “I know your loyalty lies not with the Lodge, but you have no right to judge me and my actions. Now, I’m not really interested in a measuring contest between my dick and your proverbial one–”

Leaning forth, I looked Yennefer square in the eyes and spoke. “So can we please skip the power-play and go straight to the part where you ask me of my intentions for Cirilla?”

“Very well.” The Sorceress glared, I could practically see the sparks bursting to life as we met gazes. “What are your intentions towards my and Geralt’s daughter?”

“Yen!” Ciri shouted, only to be hushed by the Sorceress. Firefly, wisely, cleaned the empty plates and raced into the kitchen to avoid the imminent conflict. As for the White Wolf, he was suddenly very interested in his plate. To be fair, he did attempt to step in, but was sadly met with the same treatment our beloved Witcheress got. Glared into silence. “I can assure you, my intentions are pure–”

I paused, scratching my chin with a playful smirk. “Relatively speaking, that is.”

Realizing what I meant, Ciri blushed. Unfortunately, Yennefer was neither impressed nor amused. “Look, listen. I want the same thing you do, I want the depth of Ciri’s potential fully realized. I want her to live her life the way she wants: Hunting monsters, adventuring and most important of all– Free. Free of the responsibility, of the guilt and the weights that were essentially dumped on her by others.”

My fingers intertwined as I rubbed my thumbs together. I’d be lying outta my ass if I said I wasn’t the slightest bit nervous. Yennefer’s glare just had that effect on people, but not wanting to be seen as a pushover, I steadily held my gaze in order to portray my feelings as best I could.

“We want the same thing, which is for her to flourish and be her own person. Now, you might not like me and that’s totally fine, but you can’t stop me from helping and being Ciri’s friend. You can certainly try, just know you will not succeed in any capacity.” I wasn’t lying, I’d sneak into Kaer Morhen if necessary, but I was not going to abandon Ciri simply because her adoptive mom decided to be an insufferable bitch.

“You’ll protect her, even if it meant going against the Emperor of Nilfgaard?”

I wasted no time, responding with a resolute, “Yes!”

The following silence was deafening and permeating. So much so that I was genuinely afraid we would come to blows. That never happened, instead Yennefer simply… Sat there, the buzzing of her Mana that had been growing in intensity disappearing without a trace. Humming, I thought to myself. ‘Are those lightning flashing behind her irises, or am I imagining things?’

“Hmmm… I believe you.” That’s it?! I must have blurted that aloud, because Yennefer was quick to respond. “Yes. Hard as it is to believe, I’m not an unreasonable woman, the fact that your intentions are purer than most, plus having Triss, Ciri and Geralt speak in your defense does help your case.”

Yennefer sent both Ciri and I a saucy smile, like she was giving us explicit permission to… Fuck? Have a romantic relationship? Seriously, was she bipolar? “What the bloody Hell was that then?!”

“Nothing you need to worry about, it was merely a test of your character.” You know what? I probably should have realized that, but the phrase: ‘Hindsight is 20/20’ existed for a reason, right? A huff was the only indication of me acknowledging her words as I shoveled the rest of my foods in, and swiftly made for the kitchen. I- I couldn’t even blame Yennefer, knowing full-well she did that for Ciri’s sake.

Didn’t mean I wasn’t angry though, more at myself than anything for allowing her to get a rise out of me so effortlessly. Once I was in the kitchen, I approached Triss who’s currently clearing the corners of her eyes. Projecting a handkerchief, Rin’s to be specific, I offered it to her. “T- Thank you, Leonis. Sorry, I’m- It’s just that–”

“It hurts to see the two of them so close, I understand.”

Firefly gritted her teeth, whispering as though afraid of being overheard by Geralt and Yennefer. “What am I still doing here, why am I still nourishing thoughts of us when I know it’s not going to happen?!”

Even hurt and overwhelmed by sadness as she was, Triss still tried to hold it in so she would not affect the couple’s mood. It’s exactly the sort of thing I’d expect her to do, just racking up pains on herself to avoid hurting her friends and family. Her Alternate-Self in the books was a bitch, but the version in the games was kind and selfless in ways that simply ticked every box in my list of attractive things.

I pulled her on my lap, putting up a Bounded Field to silence her weak sobs. “I feel terrible for saying this, but why- Why isn’t it me? Why does it still hurt so much?!”

“I don’t know, Firefly. I really don’t. Sometimes people we love just don’t love us back.” I gently rubbed her back. “It doesn’t mean something’s wrong with you, nor does it mean the people you love are at fault, it simply means you and that person aren’t meant to be, Firefly.”

I wiped the tears from her cheeks, frowning as the lights in her eyes dimmed. Unable to watch this go on any longer, I pressed a soft kiss on her forehead, hands moving up to comb her fire-like mane, whispering. “It hurts a lot and it will continue to hurt for much longer, but that pain will pass, as all things do. One day, you’ll find someone who loves you, someone who appreciates everything that you are. I must admit, I’m quite jealous of the bloke who will captivate your heart.”

Sure, Triss and I had gone past third-base, but I wasn’t nearly delusional enough to think it’s because she had fallen for my charm. She was heartbroken, and I was there. That’s all there was to it, nothing more, nothing less.

“Really, you’re not lying?” Her blue orbs shone as her nose touched mine. “Nope, I swear I’m telling you the– Oomph?!”

I swallowed the word ‘truth’ along with Triss’ saliva. Feeling her tongue wiggle against my teeth, searching for a way in. I knew I shouldn’t do this, not simply because Geralt, Yennefer and Ciri were a door away from catching us, but because the more this happened, the more Triss would think of me as the rebound-guy and Geralt’s replacement. And yet, as I allowed her entrance, such thoughts flew right out the windows and dissipated with the winds.

My hands slid down her arse, satisfaction taking grasp of my heart as the mewling Sorceress’ back arched. We kissed and kissed, tongues fighting in a messy battle to see who would give first. In the end, I decided to concede. I wasn’t tired, nor was I out-skilled by Triss, but she clearly needed this win more than I did. Alas, all good things must end, and the Sorceress backed off, leaving us both panting heavily.

“Tonight…” She spoke, wiping her glossy lips and sucking on her fingers seductively. “After you’ve returned from your contract with Ciri, go to my room.”

She left my lap, hips swaying hypnotically as she went to finish cleaning up the dirty plates. I’d offer to help, I wasn’t that big of a prick after all, but she was cleaning them with Magic… I’d only get in the way, better to leave her to it. “And Leonis–“

“Huh?” I turned to face Triss.

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“Don’t keep me waiting for too long.”

I grinned and bowed. “I wouldn’t dare, Milady.”

——◇  [Fate: DML] ◇——

Gabriel’s new hideout was quite a bit bigger than her usual place. It had a forest of palm-trees, little critters running left and right, back and forth, but the worst offenders of them all were the fucking mosquitos.

“I hate this shitty place. How can anyone sane live here?” It was a rhetorical question, but the Witcheress deigned to reply anyway. “I think that’s the idea. She wants to live in solitary, which better place than an Island full of harmful and poisonous insects?”

“Still–” I angrily hissed, pushing a branch out of my face. “Can that bitch even comfortably live here? This kind of environment is not suitable for short term residency at all, let alone a long one. She’s a Magus, but she’s also a human, can she avoid diseases and sicknesses in a remote Island filled with insects?”

The Witcheress laughed. “Surely she must have ways to cure said diseases. She did mention she’s four, five-hundreds years old now, didn’t she?”

“Screw that old cunt… Umbral Witch, more like Umbral Bitch.” Grumbling grumpily, I slapped several centipedes off my legs and blew a weakened [Finn Shot] at the spider attempting to land on my head. Once upon a time, I’d have freaked the fuck out at the sight of a spider. Don’t look at me like that, those things were simply nightmare-fuels. “My desire for murder grows every second we spend in this Gods-forsaken Island...”

We continued on the trail. Unlike the Crones who specialized in hijacking the bodies and dominating the minds of less intelligent creatures and animals, ol’ Gabriel here did not have Spells to do those things, and her Bounded Fields, while better than the simpler ones, weren’t exactly what I’d call advanced or difficult to circumvent.

It made sense too, the Umbral Witch was centuries behind on this subject. Unfortunately for me, it seemed while her knowledge of Bounded Fields was lacking in innovations, Gabriel had more than made up for it with Demonology and Curses. “Seriously, why can’t she live somewhere civilized like the Merchant and the Mercenary?”

“Leonis…” I felt the Witcheress grab my shoulder. “Did you- Did you mean what you said?”

I stopped in track, tilting my head, puzzled. “What I said… What do you mean?”

“I- I meant–” She blushed, sputtering out her next words. “What you said at lunch, did you mean any of it?”

“Of course, Princess.” I patted her cheek, about to pinch the soft flesh when she put her hand on mine, pressing my fingers against her inflamed scar, before seeming to realize what she was doing and pushing me away. “Sorry for that, and… Thank you for everything, truly.”

Coughing to hide my own reddened cheeks and embarrassment, I turned towards the empty trail. “Don’t worry about it, you’re my friend– One of the few I have. It’s what friends do for each other. Now let’s go, we have a Witch to annoy and Demons to murder…”

I was not ashamed to say I might have jogged a little faster so she couldn’t see my expression. She’s way prettier than she ever gave herself credits for, and the occasional touches of femininity that she showed were… Well, it’s bewitching. It’s in part the reason why he was obsessed with Artoria, I believed. The King/Queen of Knights was a tomboy for the most parts, but when she allowed someone to enter her heart, she was the embodiment of cuteness.

We kept to the path, walking forth next to one another, neither wanting to speak.

We were close to the Witch’s hideout, I was sure of it, the scent of Magecraft was palpable in the air. Shaking away my initial shyness, I grabbed Ciri’s hand and led her into a bush. Sure enough, moments later, a group of patrolling Demons came into sight. Gabriel could not see through the eyes of animals, but she could definitely watch everything from her Demons’. “Shh… It’s best we wait for them to pass first.”

I whispered into Ciri’s ear, suddenly very conscious of the heat radiating off her form. I stood to her neck now, and with her kneeling next to me while I crouched, the Witcheress suddenly seemed much smaller than she actually was.

She nodded, ear twitching with every breath I took and let out.

We were silent, using gestures, body language and our heartbeats to communicate. It usually didn’t bother us much, it’s nothing we hadn’t done before, having been far closer in our previous trips to irritate the absolute fuck out of the Witch. But today, something was just… Different. Perhaps we were more conscious of each other’s feelings? Bodies?! I couldn’t explain it.

Yet, I couldn’t exactly say I hated the sensation either.

Finally, the Demons left and we swiftly disappeared further into the Island.

“Wait!” Ciri yanked me into another bush, causing me to fall onto her as a flying Demon dived down, its gaze searching and cautious. As for the two of us, we were motionless, a monumental achievement on my part if I were to be honest, seeing as the Witcheress was pressed beneath me, my hand next to her head, my knee between her legs and her arms on my nape.

Her lips were like inviting twin-temptresses, pulling my eyes to them.

Soon, the Demon left too, leaving us in arguably awkward position. I knew I should get up, it’s the correct option. I still had to join Triss tonight, and while I did indeed want to possess them both, kissing Ciri after the one I shared with Triss in the kitchen would make me feel horrible for the two women. Thus, I clumsily crawled back, stepping away from the dazed Witcheress.

“Sorry.” I barely managed as I offered to help her up. She licked her lips hesitantly, and I felt my will and resolve shake slightly. Closing my eyes, I used a Magus’ most powerful weapon– Our ability to temporarily hypnotize ourselves and forced myself to look away.

“N- No problem. It’s my fault, I shouldn’t have abruptly pulled you like that.”

I chewed on the insides of my mouth as complicated feelings hammered at my chest. “Come on, let’s leave quickly, we shouldn’t dawdle any longer.”

A smile rose to my lips as I pushed those feelings down and put a lid on it. We were in enemy territory, I’d deal with them later. Ciri bobbed her head, but I was already turning towards the direction where I sensed Gabriel’s familiar corruptive Mana. She had tried this trick before, purposefully using a Bounded Field imitating her Mana Signature to trick us into a trap.

Thankfully, we were quick to blink to Novigrad that day, else Ciri would have been seriously injured.

I wouldn’t fall for the same shit a second time. It was as they said, ‘Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice…’

‘What are the odds that Gabriel’s waiting for us in that direction?’ Silently, I activated [Future Calculation].

89.2%

‘What are the odds that she has a trap lying in wait for us?’

96.7%

Right, dumb question. ‘Course she had a trap, we had been bugging her every day for the last week and a half. ‘What are the odds that this trap can cause us serious harms?’

99.1%

Next, I asked if the trap was capable of blocking our Spatial and Temporal abilities. Sure enough, it was. While the Elder Blood was a powerful Trait to have, granting its Host the ability to manipulate Space and Time with the same ease I’d expect of a True Magician, it was most definitely not all-powerful. The way to break it seemingly endless power was the same way it was created, by using a frankly absurd amount of Mana.

Mystical Energies like Mana had the ability to distort Reality, twisting even Space-Time out of shapes once enough of it was gathered. Most Sorcerers and Sorceresses on this planet had never had to deal with a lack of useable Mana, so they wouldn’t understand. But, for Mages from Nasuverse like myself and Gabriel, Bounded Fields and Rituals to gather Ambient Mana for usage were quite numerous.

The Umbral Witch must have realized this too, hence how she figured out the method to affect our Spatial and Temporal Magecraft.

We could burst into her portable Workshop, swords raised, but I couldn’t afford to be careless when Ciri was with me. Even Zelretch of the Kaleidoscope lost his life and was eventually turned into an Apostle, and he’s a fucking Legend, having served as one of Solomon’s many Court Mages in the past, let alone us brats. Now, the real question was, ‘Should we continue?’

I must do this regularly, giving her no chance of re-supplying her forces, yet I couldn’t risk it either. Gabriel had access to the Spells I had, things such as [Reinforcement], [Structural Gasp] and [Gradation Air] were the basics of basics after all, but from what I had seen, she wasn’t very proficient in reinforcing her body, that coupled with the fact that my base Stats were higher than her, I had the advantage in a 1v1.

“But it’s not a 1v1… And we’re playing in her territory as well.” I chewed on my nails, ignoring Ciri’s impatient tapping of feet behind me. “Leonis, what’s wrong? Shouldn’t we–?”

“We can’t continue. Or rather, you can’t, I have reasons to believe Gabriel has set up a Bounded Field capable of blocking our [Blink]. It’s too dangerous.”

“Then why did you say ‘I can’t’ instead of ‘we’?” The Witcheress looked at me suspiciously.

I smirked. “Isn’t it obvious? I’m gonna go greet her, while you–”

“I am coming with.” She interjected, her tone leaving no room for argument. Sadly for her, I would not budge on this, I couldn’t.

“No, you’re not–” She was quick to argue, but I was prepared, putting a fingers on her lips. “Let me finish, I want you to purposefully allow the Demons to spot you and draw them away. The kind of Mana necessary to affect the Elder Blood is enormous, the kind you can’t gather in a night. Gabriel couldn’t have set up any of those beyond the one ahead of us, so you won’t be in any real danger.”

“What about you? Have you forgotten what happened when you went to confront her alone last time?!” She scowled, eyes blazing with anger, yet that could not hide the worry hidden beneath those pretty green orbs. I’d be lying if I said the touch of concern wasn’t heart-warming, but…

“Listen to my arrangements, Princess. You promised, remember? It’s why I agreed to let you accompany me to begin with. Beside, I’ll be fine. Again, I’m just there to beat her up a bit and hopefully steal Invictus back, not to have a death-match with her.”

“But- But…”

“No buts!” I pushed her back where we came.

“I can’t just–”

I slapped her arse and Ciri jumped, cheeks reddening. “Enough, you can and you will, or I’ll knock you out right now and bring you home, got it?”

Seeing she was still hesitant, I put my hand on her face, caressing her cheek with a gentleness I thought myself incapable of. “I’ll be fine, I promise.”

I had a wonderfully curvy Sorceress, an adorable Witcheress, not to mention the Nasu’s girls to return to after all.

“You said that last time, and you came home bleeding all over our carpets. You were being possessed, Leonis! Triss said it’s no laughing matter, if it had succeeded, if the possession had taken, your Soul would have been gone!”

I leaned forth, allowing our foreheads to touch as the Witcheress blushed and tried to back away, but since we were inside a bush with trees all around us, she only managed to back away two, three inches before finding a sickly, twisted palm tree behind her. I had her in the classic kabedon, it would have been romantic if not for the horrible scenery. Seriously, were all Bad Guys allergic to pretty stuffs or something? Why did they always choose the most miserable places to hide in?!

“Princess, I’m a Magus, we pride ourselves in our ability to figure out our opponent’s tricks. I already have a way to deal with Gabriel’s possessions and Curses…”

An irritating voice sounded in my head. ‘So you’re simply using me? I’m hurt Leonis!’

Fuck off Angra. I was having a moment here, you prick. “I swear to you, she will not get me. I have too much to lose to die here. I ask you to put your trust in me one more time.”

Ciri licked her lips as a shadow fell over her face. “Just, don’t let yourself get hurt again.”

“I won’t.”

With that, she slipped under my arm and returned using the trail we had followed initially.

‘Why does this feel like a character’s last touching moment with his lover before his untimely demise?’

“Oh for fuck’s sake, read the room, fucker!” I whispered/shouted at Angra, only to hear his manic cackles in response. Why on Earth did I think taking that deal was a good idea? ‘Lighten up, Leo-chan. I’m gonna help you suffer not a witch to live, am I not?’

My lips twitched as I jogged towards Gabriel’s location, opting to ignore the Daemon King instead. He’s just trying to get a rise out of me, he would grow bored eventually.

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