Warning from the Lady of the Lake
Arriving at the former battlefield, Wayne was surprised to discover that a group of fallen demons had occupied the area. Several fallen sorcerers, adorned with skeletal staffs and grotesque human bone decorations, were chanting incantations as they resurrected the mercenaries and fallen warriors who had perished in battle. These unfortunate souls were being transformed into undead zombies, forced to serve their new masters.
Corpses of this caliber—fully armed and physically robust—made for ideal casting materials. The fallen sorcerers were able to reanimate them into powerful undead creatures, far superior to the low-level, disjointed zombies typically seen in such hordes.
Wayne observed the scene from a distance, choosing not to engage. Instead, he dismissed his spectral steed, donned his invisibility cloak, and began moving swiftly across the battlefield. His focus was on finding traces of the fallen army's retreat.
Time was of the essence. Wayne knew he had to act quickly to save Yennefer. Every moment wasted brought her closer to a grim fate. Even if she managed to resist the corruption of hell's influence, the fallen's plans for a sorceress of her caliber were likely vile and unspeakable.
The enemy's numbers, more than a hundred strong, made their trail difficult to conceal from a Witcher's keen senses. Sure enough, following disturbed soil, scattered remnants, and faint tracks, Wayne quickly identified the path the fallen army had taken as they withdrew.
Without hesitation, he summoned Udis, and galloped after the trail. The startled monsters left behind barely had time to react to his sudden appearance before he vanished from their sight.
---
The pursuit was long but methodical. Fortunately, the fallen army's size and their dulled intelligence—corroded by the power of hell—meant they left an obvious trail. Even at a gallop, Wayne had little difficulty following their path.
After about an hour of relentless tracking, he finally felt a sense of relief. His efforts were rewarded as the trail led him to an abandoned small town.
---
The town had been mentioned once by Keira. It was a quiet settlement swallowed by the encroaching fog before many of its residents could escape. While some managed to flee and become refugees, the majority had vanished, their fates now heartbreakingly clear to Wayne.
Wayne's observations confirmed his fears: the fallen army he was chasing was just a portion of the force stationed in the town. By his estimation, the town housed at least five hundred fallen warriors. How many fallen sorcerers were among them, he could not yet discern.
Despite the overwhelming odds, Wayne felt no fear. His confidence was rooted in his agility, magic, and combat experience. With his blink ability, he could teleport unpredictably, making it nearly impossible for grounded foes or ranged attackers to pin him down. As long as no aerial units could track him immediately, the fallen warriors were little more than cannon fodder.
With no allies nearby, Wayne also had the freedom to unleash his full arsenal: thundercloud lightning, mirror magic, and the powerful enchanted items he carried. Unhindered, his combat capabilities were significantly enhanced.
---
Wayne steeled himself, taking a deep breath as he prepared to infiltrate the town. But just as he was about to make his move, a faint yet familiar voice stopped him in his tracks:
"Wayne, my knight."
"Follow my voice; I have something to say to you."
Hearing the voice, Wayne froze in surprise. His expression quickly turned to astonishment as recognition dawned.
The voice was unmistakable—it belonged to Lilith, the Lady of the Lake, his revered goddess. The familiarity of the tone and its ethereal resonance dispelled any doubts about illusions or deceit.
Wayne was momentarily confused as to why Lilith's voice would echo within the mist, but his faith in her overrode hesitation. Trusting her implicitly, he abandoned his plan to infiltrate and instead followed the voice's guidance. It led him into the forest surrounding the town.
---
As Wayne ventured into the woods, he noticed an immediate difference in the air. It was purer, untouched by the miasma of hellish corruption that plagued the outside. The oppressive fog and dark energy seemed unable to penetrate this haven, as if the area were shielded by an ancient, protective power.
Guided by the voice, Wayne trekked further for about ten minutes until he reached a secluded glade deep within the forest. The glade encircled a crystalline lake, its waters calm and undisturbed. The sight of the serene environment momentarily eased the tension that had weighed on him.
Approaching the lake, a radiant figure appeared, clad in a resplendent white gown that seemed to shimmer with the light of the heavens. It was Lilith, the Lady of the Lake, and her divine presence brought a sense of calm and reassurance. Even her gown was a gift from Wayne himself, a token of his admiration.
Wayne opened his mouth to greet her, to ask why she had summoned him here, but before he could speak, more figures began to materialize beside Lilith. One, two, three—three other women joined her, each radiating an aura of divinity, their appearances striking and unique.
---
The newcomers were as awe-inspiring as Lilith herself. Each carried an air of authority, their beauty ethereal yet distinct in its own way. Their attire was minimalist but symbolic, showcasing their roles and significance in the natural order.
Lilith smiled softly and gestured to the first woman, a graceful figure adorned with a crown of flowers and a flowing green dress that seemed woven from the essence of spring itself.
"This is the Goddess of the Fields, also known as the Flower Goddess," Lilith explained. "She dedicates her existence to nurturing the creatures of the wilderness and preserving its delicate balance."
Next, Lilith motioned toward a voluptuous woman whose attire consisted of strategically placed leaves and furs, emphasizing her connection to nature's untamed heart.
"This is the Forest Goddess, often referred to as the Lady of the Forest. She safeguards the woodlands, ensuring the ecosystem thrives and protecting its myriad inhabitants."
Finally, Lilith turned toward the third figure, a petite woman with an endearing, youthful appearance. Her small frame and feathered adornments gave her an avian charm, though her modest figure betrayed an almost childlike innocence.
"This is the Goddess of Wind. Some call her the Goddess of Birds," Lilith began, gesturing to the petite figure adorned with feathers. "She is a free-spirited being, tasked with protecting the birds and insects of the skies. Her home is wherever the wind carries her, and she brings warm breezes to the world, nurturing life."
After introducing the three nymphs, Lilith, the Lady of the Lake, turned her gaze to Wayne, her expression becoming solemn.
"My knight," she began, her voice steady but tinged with urgency, "the reason we have gathered here is because our world faces an imminent and grave crisis.
"I have been watching over you and am aware of your journey and purpose. However, the Yennefer you seek is not in the town you were about to enter."
Lilith's voice grew heavier with concern as she continued, "She, along with other captured sorcerers, has been taken to the mountains outside the city of Ben'ad. There, under the influence of an ancient and malevolent force, lies a crack leading to another world."
"The darkness surrounding that place is so potent that our vision cannot penetrate it. Yet, we are certain that the evil force seeks to manipulate these sorcerers to perform rituals capable of widening the rift, allowing more malevolent beings to invade our world."
Lilith's eyes gleamed with determination. "This cannot be allowed to happen. If their plan succeeds, the balance of this world will be irreparably disrupted, and countless innocent lives will be lost."
Wayne stood in stunned silence. His mind raced with the implications of what Lilith had revealed. This mission was unlike anything he had encountered before. He had accepted Geralt's master-level mission, but this task, clearly of even greater magnitude, seemed overwhelming. Strangely, his system remained silent—there was no notification of an additional mission. It appeared that fate had chosen to test him without the usual guidance.
Sensing his hesitation, Lilith's demeanor softened. Her ethereal presence exuded warmth and reassurance as she stepped closer to Wayne. Her voice, gentle yet unwavering, soothed him.
"My knight," she said softly, "the enemy you face this time is indeed formidable, and we would not send you to fight alone. We will lend you our strength and bestow upon you powerful blessings to aid in your battle."
Wayne looked into her radiant eyes, his resolve growing as her words filled him with hope.
"The evil forces have not yet fully rooted themselves in our world," Lilith continued. "But their intentions are clear. This is the moment to act, to prevent an even greater catastrophe."