Anomaly V

We would have wandered aimlessly for hours had it not been for my medallion. We were just a bit north of Fort Etnir when the bear head began to buzz. I called for Ciri to come over and I looked around until I spotted a cave entrance hidden by some trees on the waterline. 

"Have you found something?"

"Magic. My medallion alerted me to something nearby. And judging from how much it vibrated, it's strong." 

"Well what are we waiting for, let's go." 

We made our way to the entrance, once we stepped inside my senses picked up dangers I couldn't immediately see. I held a hand out and pulled Ciri back before she could go in any further. 

"There's most likely traps scattered about and hidden in the walls. Be careful." 

She nodded and we proceeded into the depths of the cave. Soon the rough rock gave way to carved stone. We found ourselves right at the entrance to an ancient crypt. 

Ciri looked around in wonder, "You know, this place feels familiar. It's like I've seen it before." 

I thought back to what I knew about Ciri, from what I've learned she had grown up traveling around a lot, from Cintra, to Skellige, I think I heard Ermion mention that she had even spent some time wandering in the east after she had used her power for the first time. It wasn't too hard to believe that she may have, at some point, seen the home of the Aen Elle. 

"Lots of elven ruins back on the continent, I think their architecture is relatively similar."

"Could be, thought it really reminiscent of something I've seen before. It could have been one of the other worlds I went to while I was running from the Wild Hunt."

"That's a possibility too."

We continued deeper into the cave, the elven ruins got more prevalent the further we went in. Soon we came to a corridor with strange carvings on the ground and numerous holes on the ceiling and floor. 

"It's obviously a trap." 

"I can blink us across if you'd like." 

"Or I could just," I sent a blast with Aard. "Use Aard to show the proper way to cross." 

"That's so boring, and what is it with you and Aard, you keep using it." 

"It's the most versatile of the signs." 

"Really?"

"I can use it to force open closed doors, knock people off balance, and if it's strong enough you could even blow someone apart with it." 

"That can't be true, the worst I've seen Geralt do is shatter a door or knock down a stone wall." 

"The man who trained me, he mentioned that it was about focus. Apparently you could focus it to poke a hole or just knock down whole buildings." 

"I still find it hard to believe." 

"Depends on the Witcher I guess." 

"You're pulling my leg." 

"Believe what you want, though I have a book on the signs that I found on my travels. You can have it if you want. I know you can't cast signs since you haven't done the mutations, but you can potentially use magic, so it'll be a valuable read." 

"That would be appreciated. Thank you." 

"Just remind me to get it to you when we get out of here." 

The Cintran nodded before following me over the defeated spike trap. As we moved further into the ruin we only ran into a few drowners and a golem. All of which were easily dispatched by Ciri and I. Soon we found our way to a large room with some sort of puzzle. I was about to take a seat when Ciri just teleported to the center and plucked out the sunstone from its hiding place. 

"I'm sorry, I was getting impatient." 

"Let's just pray that the Hunt is still too busy licking their wounds to come crashing in here." 

"Caranthir's staff was broken in the battle, it'll be a while before they can do much unless they plan on sailing their ship like an actual ship." 

"Can they actually? All I've heard are stories of a flying ship. I've never seen or heard anything mention the ship sailing in." 

"I saw it docked, a long time ago. When I ended up in Tir na Lia, that's where I first met Avallac'h. He showed me around the palace and I saw the ship docked in a sort of harbor." 

We talked a bit more until we finally got out of the cave, Ciri told me that she would be heading back to Lofoten to say her farewells to Skjall. Wanting the two to spend some time together before she inevitably stepped through the magical portal I decided to split off and head to Kaer Trolde. I remembered there being heavy losses to the Skelliger's side in the final battle and wanted to try and prevent as much of it as possible. 

As Ciri disappeared in a flash of green light I looked to the distant keep high up on the mountains. I thought about my interactions with the Lady of Space and Time. Sure it would be nice to have a relationship with Cirilla, but the impending battle weighed heavily on my mind. Even with my superhuman abilities I was far from being infallible. Proof of this was getting stabbed by Caranthir and nearly dying. Thinking back, Yennefer mentioned something about a 'procedure'. I had assumed that it had been just a simple surgery to repair my damaged body so that my own healing could take over. I was sure that I had died, yet here I was. Even if I felt fine sooner or later I knew the long term consequences of whatever they did to save me would make themselves known.

I could only hope for the best in the coming battle. Ciri was no doubt strong and from what she demonstrated, she had a finer control over her powers here than compared to the game I had played. If all turned out well I could potentially foster a relationship with the Witcheress. Only time would tell however, and soon I feared that 'time' would be scared. 

The preparations for the final confrontation with the Aen Elle were well underway. Geralt had managed to convince Emhyr to assist by sending ships to blockade the potential escape routes. Crach an Craite was planning on ambushing the Naglfar once we had summoned it. Despite my warning Crach refused to sit this battle out. On a side note, Yennefer and Triss had been successful in their quest. With help from Zoltan and Dandelion they smuggled the imprisoned sorceresses from Novigrad and Oxenfurt. 

Philippa, Margarita, Fringilla, Yennefer and even Síle de Tansarville who the two managed to save were discussing preparations. I had handed Yennefer the sunstone and the mages were now working out a way to use it, though Philippa figured that it was probably activated with some incantation in Elder Speech. She was right, however since I didn't exactly remember what Avallac'h chanted in the game, it was left to Geralt's lover to figure out what to do. 

Ciri was training by herself in a clearing, Triss was standing close by giving her instructions as the ashen haired maiden made rocks float around her. I was about to approach when a hand clasped my shoulder. Turning to face the one who stopped me I was met by a familiar scarred face. 

"Geralt, what can I do for you?" 

"I have something for you, it isn't much but it's a token of thanks. For saving Ciri, and Vesemir." 

The old Witcher handed me a parcel wrapped in dark canvas. It didn't take a genius to figure out that it was a sword. Though, I didn't expect it to be THAT sword. The wolves on pommel had been replaced with a roaring bear, a new crossguard made of steel braided with silver replaced the usual 'V' shaped guard on most Witcher silver swords, and the blade had been fitted with more runes and enchantments. Yet with all the new modifications I knew what I held in my hand, Aerondight.

"Geralt, I can't take this." 

"I insist." 

"This is your blade White Wolf, for me to take this-"

"George, just take the damn sword. I couldn't think of anything else to give you that you didn't already have yourself." 

"Fine, I will hold on to this sword for now. Just remember that if you ever need it back for whatever reason, I will give it back to you in a heartbeat. I can't bear to think about parting you from such a legendary blade." 

"It's just a sword George." 

"Aye, except this sword was given to you by the lady of the lake." 

"Yes and now, I'm giving it to you. May it bring you fortune on the path." 

The White Wolf practically ran back to Yennefer's tent before I could say anything else. I smiled lightly and shook my head after witnessing a new side to the stoic Witcher I had never seen before. 

I replaced my own silver sword with Aerondight and marveled at the weight of the blade. Despite being a typical 'hand and a half sword' it was miraculously light. Then again, Witchers were much stronger than average so I wasn't the best to judge how light a sword was. Drawing the sword I stared in awe at the glowing runes. Giving it a few swings and twirls I laughed as it cut through the air leaving a barely noticeable trail of glowing light. Replacing the legendary sword on my back I looked over to where Ciri had been training only to notice that the Witcheress was now looking at me with a mildly amused smile on her face. She sauntered over before drawing her sword and taking up a stance in front of me.

"Fancy a spar?" 

"Ciri I don't think that's a goo-" 

She dashed at me without warning and began a flurry of attacks. I'd like to say that I managed to avoid them all but I hate lying. Jumping back as she slashed my shirt open I glanced over to Triss for help. The redheaded sorceress shrugged before taking a seat on a chair she conjured out of thin air. Sighing I took off the harness that held my swords to my back before drawing my steel sword and dropping the sheaths on the ground. 

Taking a defensive stance I watched Ciri as she scanned my position for any openings. Smiling, she rushed straight at me and swung at my head. Seeing through her feint, I sent a small focused Aard sign at her approaching blade before stepping in closer and disarming Ciri with a flick of my wrist. 

"Hey! That's not fair, you cheated." 

"How so?" 

"You used a sign." 

"You never said I couldn't." 

"Well you can't, swords only." 

"As you wish." 

I bent down to pick up her sword and hand it back to her, when I straightened back up she was no longer in front of me. My instincts screamed and I spun around, too slow however as I was tackled to the floor by Ciri. She pinned my arms to my side and straddled my chest. 

"Point for me." 

Returning her grin I bucked her off by thrusting my hips upwards. She fell to the ground and before she could recover I rolled and pinned her to the ground with her arms over her head. She was now openly smiling, and slightly beginning to pant for air. 

"I wi-"

Before I could finish my sentence Ciri mimed casting Aard and I smiled, only to be blasted backwards off of her and into the ground at Triss' feet. Looking up at the redhead I groaned out. 

"Since when could she do signs?"

Triss smiled and pointed behind me with a slender finger. "I think you have more pressing matters to deal with." 

I rolled out of the way just as Ciri's sword struck the grown where I had been moments earlier. I jumped back to my feet before dodging another slash and diving towards my sword. Once I had recovered and taken another defensive stance I faced the Cintran princess. 

"Ciri, if I didn't know any better I'd think you're actually trying to kill me." 

She smiled and replied with a slash to my arm which I parried and returned with a stab at her leg. 

"Stop talking and defend yourself." 

Swatting away a stab at my face, I glared at her. "What's gotten into you?" 

"Nothing, I just want to hone my skill before the Wild Hunt gets here. Now stop holding back." 

"Fine." I pushed her back with a lightly cast Aard and raised my sword, blade horizontal tip pointed at Ciri. 

Squatting low I took a stance that I knew she would be familiar with and I smiled at her eyes widening once she recognized the Wolf School offensive stance. I sprung into action chaining together twirls and spins as I danced around the Witcheress. Our swords clanged as they met in our deadly dance. Ciri began to falter and I picked up speed, jumping back I switched to Griffin School styled swordsmanship. Gripping my sword in a reverse grip I rolled into Ciri's guard before training my blade against her throat. 

She was breathing hard, having kept up with me up until I switched styles and sped up. A bead of sweat ran down her neck and into her exposed cleavage. My eyes couldn't help but to follow the outline. Ciri smiled before capitalizing on my momentary distraction and jumping on me. Her lips crashed onto mine and we fell to the ground. I felt a dagger press against my throat and I groaned. I had let my baser instincts control me and now I was paying for it. 

"I win." 

A wide smile broke out on her face before she jumped up and off of me. Dancing around in victory, I looked around and blanched. Our spar had drawn a small crowd of spectators who were now clapping. Triss led Ciri away to help her clean up. My blood ran cold when I saw Geralt glaring at me from beside Yennefer who shot me a grin and a little thumbs up. Once the crowd dispersed I recovered my sword harness and sheathed my steel sword. Once I had my sword back in their position I walked over to Geralt and Yennefer who had stayed behind. 

"Geralt, I can explain." 

"No need." 

"I'm just glad she's found someone other than these gray old men to hang around with." 

Geralt turned to the sorceress. "What's that supposed to mean?" 

"Well she's spent so much time with you that I wouldn't have been surprised if she started spouting things like 'Winds howling' in a ridiculous voice." 

"I don't do th-"

"You sort of do." 

"See, George agrees with me." 

"Whatever the case, I saw that kiss." 

"Geralt, I do care about her. Even if I haven't known her for as long as you or Yennefer, I know it's hard to believe but somehow I've fallen for her." 

"Good, don't let his grumpy exterior fool you. Geralt is happy too." 

"Just remember-" 

"If I hurt her you'll kill me, yeah I got that from the glare you're giving me." 

"That's good that you know that, but I was going to say that I wanted you to keep an eye on her in this coming battle. She no doubt will want to go into the fight as well and having you watch over her should I be preoccupied puts my mind at ease." 

"I'll protect her with my life, this I swear." 

"Let's just pray it doesn't come to that."