13 Chapter 13

"Geralt, do you have any idea what might have happened?"

I asked as Geralt had been inspecting for several minutes with Ciri and me following him.

"No, but we have to go and see my friend, there might be something".

We went back to Ablette and went up a little further up a hill where there was a mansion, but when we arrived it looked like a haunted mansion.

"Geralt, are you sure your friend is still alive?"

"Yes, but you're going to find out why he's like this."

Geralt started to move forward until the door opened and a shadow, at a speed I couldn't keep up with, tackled Geralt to the ground, but Geralt managed to knock the monster down, but just as he was about to give it the final blow, the monster started screaming.

"Wait, Geralt, it's me!"

"Nivellen?"

"Yes."

"You've changed."

"That's true, but you, that's what they say, time doesn't work miracles."

"But you've changed too, haven't you? After all, I've never seen you with two children, so put down the knife and come and have a bite to eat."

After hearing this, Geralt stood up and gave his hand to Nivellen so that he could get up, which he gladly accepted.

"Come in, I'll explain everything, haha."

Then Nivellen started to walk in and Geralt started to follow him as I got Ciri off the Ablette then took her to what looked like a stable and Ciri couldn't help but ask a question.

"I thought witchers killed all monsters?"

"No, Geralt once told me that witchers were more special than monster hunters, that must have something to do with it."

"Come on Ciri, let's not keep them waiting" then I took Ciri to a place where there was light, but when we looked around it was empty, with almost no sign of life, with cobwebs, dust everywhere, and a tapestry coming loose...

We finally arrived at the place and Nivellen noticed us, spread his arms, and started talking.

"Here, tell me your names, little ones".

I made quick eye contact with Geralt who confirmed that everything was fine.

"Aiden."

"Ciri."

"Oh, very pretty names" then he turned to Ciri.

"I'm sure a young girl like you would fancy a nice hot bath, wouldn't you?"

Excited by the idea, she smiled, "Yes, that would be nice."

But Geralt interrupted her, "No, we're leaving right after the storm."

Supporting the decision, I began to interrupt her.

"Geralt, I'm going to take a hot bath too" I walked over to the window and remarked, "Besides, it doesn't look like it's going to stop anytime soon."

"Good."

"Wonderful, so here's a BATH"

A bathtub then magically appeared and Ciri, surprised to see this, ran over to the tub and Nivellen waved us over to follow him.

"Come on Aiden, you'll be right next to it" but before I followed him, I looked at Ciri.

"Ciri, if there's a problem, just shout, ok?"

"Okay."

I followed Nivellen to the next room and did the same trick where a bathtub had appeared, Nivellen couldn't help but taunt Geralt saying he stank, so the wizard clearly said that was part of his charm.

The doors closed, stripping off my clothes and putting my steel sword back on a bench, I began to get into the bath, sighing that it felt good.

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"They have nothing to worry about, do they, Nivellen?"

"Don't worry, I may have changed, but I'm still the same" then he sparks his hands "I've got new sleeves in my bag".

"It takes a wine cellar to explain all this."

"Ahah, my friend, don't worry, I've got it all figured out."

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"Mmh new clothes?"

A black leather hunter's outfit made of animal skin had appeared, I equipped myself with it as my clothes were from long ago.

I then headed to the dining room.

"Aiden, I see you are enjoying your clothes."

"Yes, thank you."

I sat down next to Geralt and at the same time the door opened and Ciri walked in in her white dress.

Nivellen stood up and couldn't help but comment.

"I see it looks good on you."

"Yes, thank you very much."

"Don't worry, now let's eat."

Then the plates appeared, and the food came right after rabbit, bread, vegetables, etc. Then Ciri pounced on the food and I too started to eat, but more slowly than Ciri.

Nivellen turned to us and asked both of us

"Do you know how we met?"

"No, he doesn't talk much, even with Aiden."

"I'll explain it from the beginning."

Then he tells his story. (if you want to know his story, wiki Nivellen)

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After dinner we went to our rooms, but I couldn't sleep, so I went outside to see Ablette, as I came out I saw footsteps going towards the village, I crouched down, but I felt a hand on my shoulder and saw Geralt looking at me.

"What did you see?"

"Footsteps going towards the village, but I don't understand why we're all alone, we saw the village there's no one there and no one's been there recently."

"Well, don't stay out too long, it's cold."

Then Geralt went back into the manor.

But a question was on my mind and understanding afterwards, I looked around the manor and realized that there was someone we hadn't seen.

I went in the direction of Ablette then took the silver sword and walked down towards the village following the footprint, but as I followed, the footsteps stopped as if he had disappeared.

"Why?"

"Wait!" Then I rolled my eyes and realised why he hadn't been heard coming back, I rushed towards the manor muttering.

"He's flying. "

But as I reached the courtyard I saw Geralt being kicked out with a scream, I rushed to Ciri standing in front of her, but the monster looked at me with eyes of sadness.

"I don't want to hurt her, I..." But she dodged a sword strike from Geralt from behind, then screamed, but Geralt put up a shield to prevent the scream.

Taking advantage of this moment, I turned to Ciri and said.

"Ciri go to Ablette, Geralt and I will take care of it."

Ciri ran towards Ablette while I rushed towards Geralt who had pushed the monster away with a spell.

"Geralt, the monster is flying," but at the same time wings appeared, and the monster began to fly.

"Don't worry, and focus."

I calmed my breathing then I heard my heart beat, but I felt good as if I was in my place, I heard the wings beat closer, I dodged her first attack by swinging my sword towards her foot which she dodged, but taking advantage of her not being able to dodge anymore Geralt threw a sword strike which damaged part of her wing.

Continuing to fly with difficulty she continued to circle us until another charge where Geralt heard her and swung his sword, but taking advantage of this opportunity I ran towards the fountain then using the ledge I jumped directly towards her and cut her right wing, but she landed towards Ciri who took the opportunity to take her hostage

"Leave us alone, or I'll slit her throat."

"Leave her alone or you'll regret it!" But Geralt rushed forward and I was right behind him, but just as she was about to make the move, a spear penetrates her chest.

"Forgive me, my love" but a horrible scene took place, the monster started to move forward repeating over and over again.

"I love you, you belong to me" but as she goes to attack him, Geralt beheads her, cries of despair ring out from Nivellen, but then we hear the monster's voice in our head.

"He'll come after you one day."

Then Nivellen's screams ring out and Nivellen's appearance becomes human again

"The curse has been lifted, you are saved."

"Saved in what? I am alone, nothing matters to me anymore."

"That was..."

But before Geralt could continue, Ciri intercepted him and said

"Neither of you are right, the only thing is that she loved you" then she walked over to me and hugged me.

"Please take me to Ablette."

"Right," still with Ciri strapped to me, I started to walk towards the stable.

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We were outside waiting for the storm to end, Ciri was sleeping next to me and seeing Geralt in his world, I wanted to ask him something but I couldn't tell him and strangely Geralt guessed it and turned to me.

"Is there something you want to tell me?"

"Yes, shall we kill all the monsters?"

There was a silence, but Geralt answered me

"Witchers are not only hunters, we are the border between monsters and humans, it is up to us to make the decision."

"But if that's true, why didn't you let her live?"

"Because she killed humans and that can't be fixed"

"I see."

"Aiden expects you to make complicated choices in your life, especially if you choose the witcher's path."

"Sleep."

I lay down next to Ciri, but my thoughts turned to what is right and what is wrong, a question that will never be answered, because everyone has a different view of what is right and what is wrong.

But isn't this the irony of right and wrong? After all, a king can be seen as a tyrant by his enemies, but as a saviour by his citizens.

Depending on your action, are you prepared to accept the consequences?