Backstory ideas for The Witcher school of bear (all rights CDPR)

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Mons Transire at noon
Orion, Darren, and Chanse were sitting next to the ballista on top of the citadel. In a courtyard, Sabina and Aldith were playing with the kids. Averey was still asleep. Chanse was telling one of his stories on how he met Sabina.

"I still remember that day when I met Sabina. It was when we were defending Beachfort. When Redania was attacking our last city, we knew we are going to lose. For three days, our walls were resisting Redania's forces, but on a fourth day, they broke into the city. We moved most of the civilians on ships and departed half of them. Some of the military units went with them because we only needed to defend a citadel and port walls. Our leader Aston, also my dad, ordered to close a port and defend a citadel. I was one of the last knights who was cleaning the city and rescuing left behind civilians when my unit came across a girl my age. She was holding her dead parents in her arms. I kneeled and told her that we need to go. She wasn't replying or cooperating. Again, I told her nicely because my unit started to get nervous. I ordered to search nearby houses, and then if they find someone, escort them to the port, and I will deal with her. They knew my signal. I gently lifted her on her feet and started moving slowly with her. I looked back when the large stone hit the place, where we were a couple of moments ago. I don't know how we got to the gate, but when we got there, they closed it and left us behind. The only place left was a citadel. We moved to the closing gate and slid underneath. There were around 100 men left in our city. I moved with Sabina inside. My dad was at battlements, looking through the spyglass on approaching forces. He looked at me and asked if the city was cleaned. I replied yes. He looked at the port, where he saw ships sailing away. But some sea monster started sinking our civilian fleet. We saw them perish underwater, one by one. Some men started to fire on a monster, but it was too late. My dad handed me keys and a map. Go into the catacombs and escape. And take your new wife with you. I don't have time to give you a blessing, but trust me, you found a good person. He hugged both of us and send it to us away. He didn't look back, because he knew we would be safe. He turned and told me that I should look forward, not back. In catacombs, we came across a teleport and jumped in. We got into our place, where my dad told us. For two days, we didn't know what happened, but news came that the citadel was overwhelmed, and everyone was killed. We got married a year later. And you know the rest of the story."
"What a fate," Darren said. "I am sorry for your loss."
Orion was sitting there quiet. "You said Beachfort, that city which is now one of the biggest centers for sex trafficking?"
"Really?" Chanse replied. "If it is true, my research on this Snake Syndicate, which runs this operation is correct," Orion stood up," It will take all of us to bring it down." Come to my room; we will talk there."
"Lead the way," Darren said. The bright light appeared in the central courtyard, scaring kids. Aldith rolled to the side. From the sun, Warden and some red-headed woman walked out, holding a wounded young girl.

"Warden, you back," Aldith replied.
"Who are these people ?" Shani asked
 
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Mons Transire

Everyone was standing around the grandmaster's bed, including Chanse and his family. Warden with Shani was standing closer. Warden did Axii and twisted his arm in reverse. Averey opened his eyes. They weren't what they used to.
"Averey, here is Shani, as you asked," Warden said.
Averey slowly started talking: "Thank you for everyone being here today. I see we got a couple of newcomers in our small family. Welcome. I have something for everyone, starting with you, Shani. Come closer. Shani, I am sorry for bailing out on you, but my duty called. I enjoyed doing something different. I always see that fire in your eyes. Keep it shining. Warden will take you to the armory and give you a scabbard with the sword, on which is your name. You earned it."
" Thank you, Averey" Shani hugged him and stood back with tears in her eyes.
Averey then pointed to the family which was standing there:" Please come closer. I would like to personally welcome you. I see a promising future ahead for you and your family. Feel free to stay if you want. Everything is available to you expect the laboratory. I see that both you and your wife with kids went through a great deal of pain. Heal here. And now, Warden, Orion, Darren, and Aldith, please come forward."
All the witchers came closer to bed. Averey pointed at Orion. "Aldith, Darren, I believe its time for the third generation to begin. I am appointing Orion to be the new grandmaster. If you guys want to say something, now its time. Warden, you are also special. I pointed your sibling to lead this family because I believe he can do it. Don't be angry with me. Both of you are equal in my eyes. Darren, Aldith, thank you for being here with me all the time when I need you and you got my back. Every single one of you has something in the armory, that includes all of you, not just witchers. I have one last wish. When I won't be here, I am requesting all of you to go to see the ocean. Sit on a shore and reflect what you did and afterward, go and find new kids to become witchers. And beware of our own kind. It is not friendly. Everyone, remember. Destination Unkown." Averey closed his eyes for a short moment.
When he opened them again, he said in his last breath:" Please, don't let me die in my bed. Please help me get on top of the roof. I want to see my legacy and everything that is ahead for you guys. Quickly, time is running out." Orion lifted Averey from his bed, and the whole group moved upstairs.
Aldith opened a door, and everyone looked on Averey. He took his sword and started slowly walking towards the battlements. He leaned on one and released his last breath. His sword was still holding him.

A giant cloud covered the sun, and colossal rain began to fall. Yet everyone was standing there in a downpour, reflecting on what just happened. Tears were mixed with rain.
Every witcher raised their swords and together said:" You are still with us, even thou you are not here. You lived your full life and you fulfilled everything that you could. We will always remember what you did and said to us, Destination Unknown." Everyone else went inside, expect witchers.
They sat around and were the whole time till sunset, talking about the next steps in their life.

"So, what do we do now?" Warden asked.
"We burn Averey tomorrow, and we will leave to Beachfort day afterward. I don't want to take Chanse with us because it may be triggers memories. But his knowledge of the city can help. What do you guys think?" Orion asked the rest of the witchers.
"He needs to stay here; he has a lot to lose. We have nothing to lose." Aldith joined the conversation.
Darren and Warden nodded at the same time.
" Alright, let's go to the armory, and then, after dinner, we discuss the plan. Also, we need to talk to that girl. Averey is protected by a barrier. He stays overnight here on the roof." All the witchers stood up at the same time, and Darren with Orion put Averey on a table. Darren cast a Queen sign, and blue light lighted the body. They went inside and closed the door.
 
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Armory 1 hour later

Orion put his hand on a door and pushed forward. The door started opening. A beam of light lighted the Armory, which started reflecting light at the group. Orion, leading a group, entered a room. Armor sets, swords, crossbows, all equipment was aligned in two rows. In the back of the room, there were giant chests. Each chest was solid wood with an iron lock on it, except one.
Orion turned and started talking to everybody else:" Alright, everyone, finish your things and meet me in a dining hall for dinner. Tomorrow is funeral, and we will talk more at dinner. "
Orion left the Armory. He had tears in his eyes. He got into the kitchen and started preparing food. Meanwhile, Chanse found an old book. He opened it and started reading. He turned toward Darren and threw the book at him. Darren caught in the midair. He looked on the pages.
What he saw made him question everything.
Warden took a book and started reading. "These are all alternative outcomes of specific events, which already occurred. What is so surprising?" Chanse pointed at the last page.
"Look, the book is writing itself as we speak, recording everything that we just said and did."
"You are correct; it does. Let's leave it here because I would start questioning even more things." Darren said.
Aldith stood up and said:" I am starving. Let's go eat."
Sabina found an old lute. She played a note. A sound echoed in the Armory. Everyone grabbed their belongings and left the Armory. Warden locked the door when everyone left.

Dining Hall

Food was prepared on a table, and everyone sat around.
Orion stood up, lifted his glass, and said:" Thank you again for everyone being here. I have a couple of announcements to make. First, I am going to need all your help, because it will be hard to manage without Averey. A second thing is that tomorrow is the funeral. And day following, we are leaving to the Beachfort, to take down the Snake Syndicate. I am going to need help from all of you. Look, Chanse, we would like to take you with us, but now, you can lose everything. I weighed all the options, and all of us decided that you will stay here. You are a family man after all. Tomorrow, after a funeral, we will finish the Steelman, who will help you around the fort. And know, you, young lady, please tell us, how did you end up in the mountains. But before you start, everyone, please start eating." Orion sat down.
A young lady started showing some signs with her hands. Warden looked closely and realized what a problem is. Bandits cut her tongue out, so Warden stood up and hugged her. She stopped shaking and started crying.
"Guys, we have a problem," Warden looked on everyone.

Morning of departure
 
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Out of nowhere, a loud alarm sounded. Everyone in a citadel jumped and started preparing for an attack. Orion was first ready, sword in his hand, and giant backpack on his back and fully combat-ready.
"I told him to wake us up by sunrise. But he accidentally rang a wrong alarm. But whatever, we are ready for departure." Warden said.
"You guys know what to do? I recap it one more time. When we teleport, we land in the city, probably stranded. Our house is right next to the citadel. The whole area around citadel is in ruins because the city cannot agree on what to do with it. Look for a two-story house with a red roof and is closest to the gate of the citadel. Once you get there, the door will be open. Whoever finds a house first, go inside and light the house and await the rest of the group. Password is Destination Unknown. Once we get there, I tell you more. And Chanse, you know what to do if something happens. Here are your talking stones. We are in the same circle, which will allow us to communicate. Just put your finger on top and start talking and we will hear it. Shani, you are more than welcome to stay, but if you want to go, no one is holding you. Your teleportation ring is in your room. Anyone wants to say something before we leave?" Orion asked.
No one said anything. Orion was first who broke his ring, and the rest of the witchers followed. No light appeared, and all of them vanished, leaving Shani, Chanse, and his family and Steelman at Mons Transire.

Beachfort citadel, morning

Orion jumped out of the light and hit the wall. He turned and saw a beacon of light, and Aldith emerged from the sun. They were standing in front of the gate of the citadel. Both looked at each other and started walking towards the house, as Orion described. Orion had a crossbow in his arms, and Aldith was holding a sword, ready for action. Orion got to the door and looked at his medallion. It was calm, so he signaled Aldith to come closer, and he opened a door. Both entered the house, and Aldith closed a door.
"We will switch guards in intervals, and the other one will be preparing everything else. Aldith, take the guard, I will start with set up." Orion dropped his bag on the ground and lighted the candles with Igni.
"Alright, Orion" Aldith replied and moved the chair closer to the window, while Orion opened the backpack and started moving tables to the middle.

The main square of Beachfort, morning

A bright light appeared on the main square, from which Darren and Warden jumped out. Somehow no one heard or saw anything, because everyone was interested if it was happening. Darren and Warden look that way. On a giant podium, there were burning witches. Priest of Eternal Fire was also there observing what is happening. One of the women, a young lady, started yelling that she is innocent. Tall, with black hair, and a scar on her arm, she began resisting guards, who quickly calmed her down. Darren looked at Warden, who was already scanning surroundings.
"I go on a roof and cover you, and you will go and save that woman," Warden said to the Daren, while still looking at the executions. Without expecting an answer, Warden disappeared in a building behind him. Darren started walking through the crowd. When he got closer, he yelled out loud: "What is this woman being burned for? Do you have enough evidence to do it?" Everyone looked at Darren, who was slowly approaching the podium.
Even the executioner and Priest looked in that direction. Darren got to the stairs, which was guarded by two guards. Priest yelled something, and guards let him pass. He called on the top of the podium. Everybody was looking at him.
"So again, what is evidence against this woman?" Darren asked the Priest.
"She is a witch, and she is kidnaping firstborns in this city and turning them into..." The Priest got stuck in the middle of a sentence when he realized that there is a witcher standing right in front of him.
"What are you doing here, mutant? Defending your own kind, I see. You should know that there is a bounty on everyone who knows magic, asking...," Priest did not finish the sentence because Darren turned his back to him and started freeing that woman.
"And who said that? Common folk? Someone farts and they call it magic. And I would look at yourself first, then judge the others." Darren was talking to the Priest while untying a woman.
The Priest shouted something, and four guards started approaching Darren and a sorceress. Darren pulled out his long sword and stood between them. Darren was the only one from the group, who was the master of a longsword. Other witchers preferred shorter blades. The blade was reflecting both sun and flames. From all the sudden, two guards fell on the ground. One bolt hit both guards into the head. Darren look and saw a reflection of a magnifying glass of Warden's crossbow. He showed his thumb up and jumped from the podium with the sorceress, and they disappeared into the crowd.
"Executions are over," yelled Priest at the crowd. "Go to your homes and pray for forgiveness."
He turned tot he guards and ordered:" Find her and bring her to me and kill the witcher."
Guards dispersed, and the Priest stood there for a moment.

Daren and the woman were still running. On a crossroad, Warden caught up with them.
"Alright, here is the empty house, we will talk there" Daren pointed at the building.
They quickly opened a door, entered, and closed it.
"Alright, woman, tells us who you are ?" Darren asked a lady.
"I am Star. Truth is that I am a mage, but I am not kidnaping firstborns. I recently acquired magic and I am still learning. And I am not part of the Lodge, because I am not powerful enough. Who are you?" Star asked the witchers.
"I am Darren, and this is Warden. I think you already know who we are, apart from our medallion and two swords. Do you know where the citadel is?" Darren was impatient.
"Why would you go to the citadel? It is full of ghosts, and monsters. No one goes there, and even some witchers avoid it in the past." Warden looked at Daren, and they started laughing.
"What is so funny?" Star asked
"So, Orion was correct. "Daren said to Warden," it worked like a charm. So, where is that citadel?"
"There are more of you here? I mean more witchers?" Star was surprised.
"Yes, darling," Warden smiled at Star.
"Just follow the road, and you should be able to see it."
"I swear that I know you from somewhere." Warden looked deeply at Star.
"Alright, we will be heading, feel free to join us. If not, have a nice rest of the day and see you around." Darren said and opened a door. Warden followed him out, and they left Star there.
After quite some time of walking, they got to the citadel gate. Warden noticed a light in one of the houses. He pointed at the home. Darren looked that way, but he noticed that somebody or something was following them. They both turned and pulled their swords out. When Warden looked on a road, from which they came from, they saw Star running towards them.
"I changed my mind, I am staying with you guys," Star said when she got to them.
"Alright then, join us," Daren welcomed her again. They started walking towards the house. When they got them to the door, Warden knocked and said the password. The door opened, and they entered the house. Darren closed the door. They saw Aldith in a corner and Orion putting things on a table.
"So, what's a plan?" Warden asked Orion. Orion looked at Warden, but then he noticed a Star behind him.
"Nice to see you all back. Especially you Star. It looks like a plan will go smoothly. Everyone, go upstairs and rest. We will meet at noon and I will tell you more about the plan because I changed a couple of things. And before you go, this is Aldith, and I am Orion."
"How did you know my name?" Star asked Orion, but then she realized that Warden and Orion are twins.
"I heard it because of the talking stones. We are all linked here."
"Talking stones?" Star asked.
"I tell you later. Now go and rest"
Only Orion and Warden stayed downstairs.
"Are you sure this is going to work?" Warden asked Orion."
"I am sure it will. In the meantime, I show you what I came up with." Orion showed the door to Warden, and they left the house.
 
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Noon

Orion and Warden were waiting for everyone to come down. First who came down was Aldith, then Darren and finally Star.
"Good I don't know what."," Orion started the plan, "We have a couple of things to do today. In one hour, we are burning the watchtower. Remember, when we burn it, a couple of individuals will show up at our doorstep. A burning tower is a signal for them to come as soon a possible. Star is already here, so it doesn't matter. When these individuals come, I pair up each one of us with one person. When they arrive, I will tell you more about the plan. While you guys were sleeping, I with Warden, we visited a couple of places and did some recon work. For Star, since she doesn't know what is happening, we are taking down a Snake syndicate and returning power to the original mayor. He promised us full support. His commander will also be joining us when we burn that tower. Any questions before I continue?"
"You said that we would be paired with other people?" Star asked, "Why?"
"Look, here is the map of the city." Warden started pointing at specific locations.
"Each one of the people, who will be joining us, has a specific role, which he plays in that part. All of them were affected by Syndicate's work, and they want their old parts back."
"And what do we gain from it?" Darren asked.
"When I pair you with that individual, he will pay you for the work, which was agreed five months before, when I was setting things up, and you will be paid, you can trust me. After we are finished here, we will return to Transire, and we will start training new witchers." Orion tossed notices on the table
"When I was doing recon with Warden, we heard some rumors about Wild Hunt," Orion continued talking.
The words Wild Hunt was felt in the air.
"Orion, are you sure?" Daren said, "We are not equipped to fight them, even if we retreat to the fort, they will overwhelm us."
Orion looked at Darren. "As I said, it is a rumor, but lookout for any information so, you guys are probably wondering how we will burn that tower. The answer is simple. The tower, for some strange reason, is storage for oil. I don't know why, but it is. So, the plan, we will have to create a diversion to distract guards, get Star and one of us inside. Once she sets it on fire, one of us will teleport with Star here. Once we see flames, we will run back to the house and wait for people. If there is trouble, use Axii to change its direction. Any questions before we depart?" Orion pointed at the tower outside the window.
Aldith asked Orion: "Are you sure this will work? Everything sounds like you are doing it on the move."
Orion looked Aldith straight to her eyes and told her: "I was preparing this for five months. It will work."
"Alright, grandmaster, lead us" Warden gave Orion his sword and opened the door, and waited for everyone to get out. He locked the door and handed the key to everyone.
" " This is a universal key. It will get you anywhere. Watch it. To be as concealed as possible, we will split into pairs. I go with Star, Darren will go with Aldith and Warden will go first and meet us there. I believe that he would like to go roof jumping like those guys in white clothing." Orion looked and saw Warden already climbing on a roof.
Warden yelled at them: "See you at the tower."
"Be careful," Star looked up, and her eyes met with Wardens.
"As always," Warden waved and vanished.


Main Square hour later.

Surprisingly a lot of people were still on the main square; even thou burning had ended in a morning. Orion and Star were first who approached a watchtower. Orion looked over his shoulder and saw a Darren with Aldith walking in the distance. He looked on a roof and saw the reflection of a spyglass. He waived at Warden as everyone was in position. There were two guards, guarding a front door. In front of them, a musician was singing and playing. Orion heard only a couple of words, but he recognized a song. It was called Watchtower by Baderon.
He was quietly singing with the bard. "Outside in the distance, a wolf had growled, two knights were approaching, the wind began to howl..."
"I never heard that song before in my life." Star said to Orion, "but how are we going to get into a tower?"
"Warden, do you hear me?" Orion asked Warden through the stone.
"Loud and clear Orion," Orion heard the reply.
"Alright, I am going to need to fire a whistling bolt. With enough sound, we can distract guards." Warden said through the stone.
Star joined a conversation: "I can cast an illusion to your sound, like a dragon. People will hear a sound, look up, and see a dragon. They will run away, including guards, and we can get in. "
"We are on risk here." Daren joined the talk," it is a good idea, but we will alarm everyone. But I am voting to go through with the plan. Anyone against it?" Darren asked.
"No," both Warden and Aldith said it at the same time.
"You heard it. Warden, when I lift my arm, you fire. Star, is an illusion ready?"
Orion raised his fist.
"It is," Star said, and she looked up, where a dragon started descending, and the high pitched sound was heard.
"Look a dragon, run people, run!!!" Somebody yelled out from the crowd.
The whole square started panicking, yelling, and screaming. The dragon landed on a tower and began releasing flames. When the guards looked up, they dropped their spears and started running. When Orion saw them running, he moved to the door, with Star right behind him. He cast Aard sign, and a blue wave broke the lock. Orion kicked, and a door opened. Star entered first while Orion closed the door behind her.

Daren with Aldith was helping people to get out of the square as soon as possible, and Warden was looking at everything through his spyglass. But he noticed someone in a crowd. He looked closely and grabbed his crossbow. He looked on him again, but he lost him in a group, but thanks to the advanced senses, he heard someone going upstairs. Warden grabbed his crossbow and jumped on the next roof. He hid behind a chimney. The door on a top had opened. A human entered a light. Warden noticed something odd. He did not carry armor. Instead, he had a belt on which he had a scabbard. Warden looked closely, and he saw a medallion. It was a crane. He aimed his crossbow at that person's head. He loaded a special bolt and slowed his breathing. The person started looking around, with no care given to a dragon illusion. He laid on a roof and pulled out a spyglass. Warden pressed the lever. The bolt launched toward the person's head. But for some reason, it hit him to the side. He screamed from pain and started rolling on a roof in great agony. He attempted to pull out the bolt, but the problem was making him weaker, even for the witcher. Warden stood up and jumped back. Witcher noticed him and realized that he walked into a trap.
"Who are you?" Warden yelled at him, simultaneously putting crossbow on his back and pulling the sword out.
He walked to the man and cut his belt. When he heard a click, he kicked the sword out of the person's reach. When he kicked the sword, he cast Yrden, which trapped the man. Humans started saying something in an unknown language. Warden touched the top of the talking stone so everyone can hear what was going to happen. He moved closer to that human and yelled at him again.
Running out of patience, he kneeled and told the man: "Never approach me from the behind. But you did some trivial mistakes, which costed your life. What kind of witcher are you? Now tell me what you want, and I promise that I make it quick for you."
Wounded man looked at him and said: "I know that I failed to kill you, Orion, but beware, Wild Hunt will be here, even that they are not looking for you. Warden moved his blade to the witcher's neck and kicked him into the wound.
"You did not answer my question. Why are you trying to kill me?" Warden played along with the man.
"You are dangerous to the world, Orion, and you have to be eliminated to bring peace to the spheres." The man gasped for air
"You got one thing wrong, thou." Warden said to the man," I am not Orion; I am Warden."
Man widened his eyes, and his jaw dropped from surprise. Warden lifted him and kicked him on knees. With one precise swing, he cut his head off. His head landed on the ground below them, while his body fell. Warden grabbed crane medallion. When the group dropped, he looted his pockets. Only what he found were some old papers, some coins, and key. In his small backpack, he had food, water, and some black dust. Warden grabbed all his belongings, his sword and moved to a different roof, from which he was observing the situation.
"Warden, do you hear me?" Darren asked through the stone.
"I hear you. What is happening?" Warden grabbed the spyglass and looked at Darren
"You must get out of there now. Guards are sweeping the area, and there is someone else. I noticed him in a crowd, but he disappeared. A dragon flew away. Meet us at the house. Orion said that we would talk about it when we meet. They should be starting a fire now."
"Alright, I am out of here. " "Warden grabbed his belongings and cast the Igni sign, and the body started burning. He jumped on the next roof and disappeared. He looked behind him, and watchtower engulfed in flames.
"Now, there is no way back." He noted.
 
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In a tower

Orion was first, who entered the storage. Oil barrels were stacked everywhere. Star walked right behind him.
"That will be a big flame." Star started saying a spell.
"Star, wait. Someone is watching us. My medallion is humming." Orion grabbed her hands and shook her.
Star got distracted, and flames did not go off. Orion concealed his sword. On the other side of the room, behind one of the barrels, Orion noticed a movement. "Star doesn't move" The moment he said it, a child-like voice started talking to them.
"Who are you, with a bear on his neck? And who are you, with the Star on your hand?" Orion recognized the child's voice.
"We are friends. Who are you?" Orion asked.
Out of nowhere, a small child was standing right in front of them.
"If you friend, I am a friend," A child said to the Orion.
Orion looked closely and noticed a Godling.
"What is your name?" Godling asked while pointing on a bear medallion.
"I am Orion, and this is Star." Orion replied, "and what is your name?"
"I don't have a name. Can you give me one?" Godling asked them.
"Give me a moment." Star walked closer and grabbed Godling's hand. She sat on the ground, and Godling with Orion followed.
"What do you think of the name Terric?" Star asked a Godling.
"Terric?" Godling looked at the Star, "Name is Terric, Terrac I like, Terric it is."
Terric started jumping around the place." Terric, we have to burn this tower." Orion said to Terric.
Terric stopped dancing and looked at Orion. "Why do you have to burn it? This is my home."
"Terric, burning tower ignites a flame of hope. You live here, and you know what is happening here. We are here to change it." Star was talking with Terric.
"I know, I escaped barely. These humans are terrifying. They carry a snake on their chest. Now they are hunting elves, dwarfs and me. Even some elves help hunt them."
"Even you?" Star asked Terric.
"Yes, me even. But they are little scarred know, but they continue what are they doing." Terric started shaking.
"Why are they scarred, Terric?" Orion asked.
"Some men, even elves, who are helping them, are scarred. I cannot say that name. These people operate without anybody watching over them. Especially the leader. They call themselves F..."
"How do they call themselves?" Star hugged a Terric.
"They call themselves Fury." Terric finally spits it out.
"Are you sure you heard Fury?" Orion asked.
"Yes, I am sure," Terric was even more terrified.
"I know them, or should I say that I know who is in charge. His name is Vortigern. We have a past together I tell you more, once we get out of here. If you want, you can live in our house in the meantime. But we need to burn this tower. So, what do you say?" Orion proposed an idea to Terric.
"I can find your house anytime, I just need to do one thing," Terric said to Star.
" Alright, see you soon, and be careful." Star waived at Terric.
He waved back and disappeared into the dark. Orion looked around. His stone was shaking.
He put it in his hand and heard:" You are dangerous to the world Orion, and you have to be eliminated, to bring peace to the spheres."
"Darren, do you hear me?" Orion asked out loud.
"Yes, I hear you, and I just heard Warden," Darren answered back.
"Alright, contact Warden and tell him that we will talk about this later. We are burning towers now. Everyone meets us at the house." Orion pulled out the ring. Star cast the fire spell. He grabbed Star and broke it in half. They vanished into the air. The fire started spreading, and soon the tower became one big torch.

Port at the same moment

Gordon looked up and saw a burning tower. He waved at one of his servants, which was helping to manage the paperwork for docking of his fleet. His whole fleet was waiting outside the port, on the anchor, docking to the Beachfort, after ten days of the journey. But since the slave trade had a priority, he was only able to dock a command ship, which was his personal favorite. It was not even a proper placement. On a side, far away from the Trade Square. Gordon was a wealthy merchant. He knew that time and place are money. But again, he had to stop at Beachfort, no matter he liked it or not.
One of his servants approached him and said:" Port commander is telling us that there is no more place for us. The next ship will be departing tomorrow at noon. What are your orders?"
"Bollocks, there is a place right here. We can dock here one of the smaller ships. If the commander doesn't like it, then he can…" Gordon calmed himself down and continued:" My men need rest. I must do something on my own. Here is what are you going to do. Contact my right hand and tell him that they will dock two smaller ships. Crews will change after 5 hours, that there will be our small boats going from ship to ship, picking crews and bringing them back after 5 hours. Put guards on alert." Gordon said to his servant.
"As you wish, sir." The servant walked away and gave a signal for a small ship to dock. Gordon grabbed his sword and started walking towards the city. Watchtower was still burning. After he passed the gate, he turned left towards the citadel. As he was walking, he was thinking about the future. Maybe he can sell his company and move somewhere, where he can retire. His wife and two kids will be glad to see him again. His kids miss him, and he values every moment with them. When he is home, no business, his right hand will take care of that.
"Sir, where are you going?" someone yelled at him.
He turned and saw two men yelling at him. He recognized a snake symbol.
"Good day, what is happening?" Gordon asked.
"You missed your turn. This is a no-go area. Come back. If you are trying to find a brothel, you missed it." One of them pointed in the direction
"Thank you, lads, and I will be on my way. Gordon smiled and continued walking towards them. When he walked past them, they looked at him. He just kept walking.

HQ of Fury, undisclosed location in Beachfort

"Hey Commander," someone yelled at the tall man sitting behind a big desk, from the next room.
"What is so important?" Vortigern yelled back.
An officer entered. He came to the desk and raised his arm and saluted.
"Commander reporting," Officer saluted.
"At ease, what is happening? I am planning an operation here, so what is important? Speak, what is it?" Vortigern was impatient.
Officer looked at Vortigern and said:" After dragon disappeared, a watchtower on the main square caught a fire. On one of the roofs, we found a dead body. Half of it was burned. So far, what we figurate out is that someone was on a cover observing a situation. This man approached him and got his ass kicked. There is blood everyone. The man died. Someone with one precise swing cut his head off. Perfect execution. A clean line on his neck. There is was a crossbow bolt in his side, which punched to the liver. Bolt was fired from a very close range." Commander was talking and talking.
Vortigern lost him halfway through. "Did you just said that tower burned. Who set it on fire? it wasn't a dragon." Vortigern asked the Officer.
"We don't know. The Syndicate has a whole area closed." Officer reported.
Vortigern stood up and said. "Wait here. Move all my men back to the safe house. There will be a visit soon. I will be back at midnight and report to the mayor".
"Yes, Commander," Officer replied and saluted. Vortigern moved outside the office. He went downstairs to the armory. He grabbed his sword and shield. He fixed his armor and covered it with a black coat. He opened a door and disappeared into a crowd. He looked around him and made the right turn. He was heading to the bank.

Bank close to the port

"I believe that this interest rate is best for your whole family," Dorin said to the family sitting in front of his desk.
Dorin was dwarf. He had tough beginnings in Beachfort, but despite the hate that he received, he grew his bank, and now it is one of the most influential banks in the whole city. Even his enemies became his friends, once they realized how big of an impact this dwarf will have on their lives. It boosted him into the elite status, but he remained humble. He only took money for himself when needed. He never took everything, sometimes he even forgets a debt, if he saw that person cannot pay it back. But that was a rare occasion. His bank offered a reasonable rate, and he donated a lot of money to the people. When Redania sieged the city, his bank was the only one that survived. , why it survived it, is because of the vault. During the siege, everyone moved their gold and personal belongings there. When soldiers entered a bank, they were not able to breach it, although mage was helping them. They gave up and left. After the city was sacked, Dorrin, together with his crew, opened the vault, and money was used to rebuild a city. But Syndicate took over. They at least had a little honor to keep him alive because they knew that without him, the city would collapse. For safety measures, Dorrin and his closest friends moved together into an apartment above the bank. He is watched every day where he walks. He figurate a way how to avoid them. He simply walked to them and gave them a small crystal. From that day, no one is tracking him. But Syndicate created their bank and tried to drove him away from the city.
"Are you sure?" The man asked him.
"Yes, I am sure," Dorrin said. "Look, Syndicate is trying everything in their power to get me out of here. But I am not leaving. You are a young family with huge potential. I understand that the rate is slightly higher than usual, but I can hear a change in the air and opportunity knocking on a door in this city. When we get rid of Syndicate, I lower the rate. I hope you understand me. I send my associate to your house with the first payment. When he approves, you get full payment." Dorrin looked over their shoulder and saw Vortigern walking into the bank.
 
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"I alright, now go in peace. I have another customer to attend to."
"Dorrin, thank you very much for what you are doing for us and this city." The woman said to Dorrin.
"Come here, guys, "Dorrin said to the family. They walked closer, and Dorrin hugged them.
"Now go before I change my mind." He waved them goodbye.
Vortigern stepped aside, and he waited for the family to leave.
When they closed the door, he put his hood down.
"Did you hear about the watchtower?" Vortigern asked Dorrin.
"Yes, I heard, and I saw. I was on that square, but the dragon showed up and ruined everything." Dorrin slammed the table.
"He did not," Vortigern said,
"It was Orion who set the tower ablaze. I am going to the meeting spot. Are you going with me?" Vortigern handed Dorrin some papers. Dorrin looked on them and put them on the table.
"Yes, I am going. I just tell my secretary to close a bank and then we will go." Dorrin yelled at someone, "Isabella, I am leaving, we are closing bank sooner today. When I leave, lock the door and drop off my key in the apartment above. Then go straight home, don't stop anywhere. You get two days off. If you heard me say yes."
"Yes," a lady replied from the next room.
"Alright, let's go," Dorrin said and stood up. Vortigern followed him, and together they disappeared into the crowd.

House
Three figures emerged from the shadow of buildings. Two men and one dwarf. They were slowly approaching the House When Vortigern noticed a Gordon.
"Hey Gordon, how are you, my man?" Dorrin said to the man.
"Good day Dorrin, I am doing well, how about you?" Gordon shook Dorrin's hand.
"Could not be any better. I would like to introduce you to my man here, Vortigern. Vortigern, this is Gordon." Dorrin pointed at Vortigern.
Gordon shook his hand with Vortigern." Vortigern, that Vortigern, the commander of Fury?"
"Yes, that is me," Vortigern replied.
"Honor to meet you, "Gordon said.
"How do you know, Dorrin?" Vortigern asked Gordon.
"He helped my family and me a couple of times. So, what is a password?" Vortigern asked Dorrin when they got to the house. Dorrin knocked.
"Destination Unkown," Gordon said and knocked on a door.
"Hey, look its Orion," Gordon said when realized that Orion was looking at them through the window. He disappeared for a moment. Warden walked to the door and opened it.
"Welcome fellow travelers," Star said from the corner.
Orion looked up and saw them coming in.
"Welcome," Orion said and walked to them.
"I didn't know you two are twins," Gordon said when he noticed Orion and Warden standing right next to each other.
"Everyone to the table," Orion said.
Everyone moved and stood around the table.
"Welcome, everyone again. The band is completed. I break the ice because I see that some of you don't know each other. This is my twin Warden. This is Aldith and he is Darren. All of us are witchers from the same school, as medallion made it obvious enough. This is Dorrin, the banker in this city. Standing to his left, there is Vortigern, commander of Fury and finally is Gordon a wealthy merchant. We are here to fight a common enemy. The Snake Syndicate. Each one of you was affected by it. Dorrin's bank has a problem, Gordon's fleet is held outside the port, and Vortigern was fighting Syndicate since their Inception and lost a lot of men in a process. Warden, do you remember that girl which you saved from bandits?"
"Yes, I do," Warden replied.
"Well, she will be sold on auction tomorrow again. She did not follow my instructions as I told her. Now the plan. Gordon, Vortigern, and Dorrin already know it, but my group here doesn't. I pair each of you with someone. Warden, you will go with Gordon. Darren, you are going with Star. Aldith, you are going with Vortigern. I will be with Terric. We will alternate. Each of you will learn what you will be doing when each pair will get to a designated area. I have a feeling that someone is spying on us. There is enough room for everyone to sleep. In the night, these streets are not that safe, not even for the witcher. Tomorrow morning, we will start. Any questions, objections ideas?"
"I do, Orion," Darren asked, "Why did you mix us like this?"
"Because I feel this will show the best of us." Orion grabbed the knife and put it on the table.
"So, in the meantime, someone wants to challenge for arm wrestle?"
"Challenge accepted," Dorrin said, "bring it on".
"Time to have some fun," Gordon announced.

Morning
 
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"That was one hell of a party" Vortigern woke up in the middle of the room.
He looked around him. Orion was standing and sleeping, while Warden was laying on a table also sleeping. Gordon had his head in a plate, while Dorrin was talking in his sleep. He heard a couple of moans from upstairs and figured out where Darren and Star are. Aldith was sitting on another table, meditating. Orion opened his eyes. When he noticed a mess, he looked on Vortigern.
"That was one hell of a party," Orion said and started cleaning up the room.
He picked a spoon, and with one accurate toss, he hit Warden in the face. Warden jumped and started panicking, but he realized where he was and calmed down.
"I cannot overhear that Daren and Star are having a private party on their own." Aldith opened her eyes.
"I was only able to meditate for like two hours, and then they continued. I knew it from the beginning that Darren was interested in Star."
"I saw it too" Vortigern jumped into a conversation, "If I remember correctly, I haven't seen them the whole evening. The moment Dorrin and Gordon announced a Gwent tournament, they disappeared upstairs."
"I have an idea," Gordon suddenly started talking." Let's freak them out when they come downstairs. We can be like statues, so when they arrive, we won't be moving. And when they realize we scare them."
"I like that idea," Warden said, "and it looks like Dorrin will be a statue on his own. "
"They just finished, I can hear them," Orion said, "they will be here soon. Get ready."

Trade square

"We have a lot of Syndicate activity in the area," Aldith reported to Orion, who was in a crowd, waiting together with Warden for action to start.
Gordon was on one of his ships, looking through the spyglass on a whole situation. Vortigern was ready with men on the other side of the square. Darren and Star were as always nowhere to be found.
" Auction is about to start," Warden said when the drumroll began.
Dorrin was waiting in his bank for the transactions to come.
"Everyone is ready," Vortigern reported.
He looked at the back of his shield and smiled. A group of soldiers made a corridor, which divided Warden and Orion. Warden lifted his fist, and Orion understood. When they made away, and Auctioneer with his bodyguards was heading a procession. Behind him were guards, and behind those guards, there was precious cargo. Slaves. Orion looked at the colony with pure disgust in his face. It wasn't just women. It was everyone, even some knights, still in their armor. "Orion," Aldith started talking," I see Aldis."
Do not engage or do anything stupid and hide your face. I have to hide mine because he will recognize me and realize that something is cooking." Warden looked at the mage.
He was shorter, yet buff as hell. He had no hair but had a giant robe with a black hood, which covered his face. He had a dagger of unknown origin on his belt and his mage staff in his left hand. But the armor was the most interesting one. Typical armor plate, but steel lines strengthened it. It kind of resembled the armor of the Wild Hunt. Orion waved at Warden, and they moved through the crowd to the Vortigern position. When they got there, action just started, and the first prisoner was sold.
"We have a couple of problems." Orion started talking to the group.
"I can hear you," Aldith's voice was heard from the stone.
"The first problem is that I cannot locate either Star or Darren, but I believe we can pull this off without them. Second, the armor what Aldis has, it resembles what Wild Hunt uses."
"So, what are you suggesting?" Vortigern asked.
"The colony came from the forest, where I believe is a trading post, which is run by elves part of Syndicate. Gordon has a port on lockdown, so no one is going anywhere, plus Syndicate is bad at the sea, so we have an advantage. Dorrin is waiting for the money transfer."
"Orion, do you hear me?" Darren started talking out of nowhere.
"Yes, I hear you. Finally, you started talking. Where are you?"
"I am at Mons Transire with Star. Steelman contacted me and said that there is a lot of movement around the fort. Chanse had locked the gates. Every night, he says that he can see snow falling in the middle of summer. And, there is something more, but I cannot talk about it now. Shani is saying hi to Warden."
"Alright, we will be there once we finish this," Orion replied, "and keep guard out. I understand that Steelman can do it, but he needs more sword training, which I am asking you to do. Teach him sword fighting techniques. Do you understand?"
"I understand," Darren replied.
“Who is Steelman?” Vortigern asked.
"Steelman is our silent guardian. Aldith found him when she was chasing a vampire through different worlds. She saved Steelman and he agreed to help us in our world. He watches over the fort when we are gone. I cannot even tell what race he is." Warden replied.
"We need to go into that trading post; we can find more useful stuff there," Aldith suggested. "When the sun goes down, we will meet in front of the citadel. From there, we will go to that post. Dorrin Gordon, did you heard me?"
"Loud and clear." Both said it at the same time.
"Alright, time to move," Orion announced.
"You guys are free to explore the city. Just don't forget when we meet. I need to do something. See you guys," moment Orion said it, and he vanished into a crowd. "Is this normal? Leaving mission halfway through ?" Vortigern asked Warden.
"It is. This usually means Orion is on to something bigger. So, let's do something." Warden asked the group.
Vortigern turned and did a hand signal. His unit left him alone with witchers.
"What about some entertainment?" Aldith suggested.
"And what exactly you have in mind?" Vortigern asked,
"Don't tell me that we are going to see art," Warden replied.
"You know that I won that Gwent game, so I see you guys in a club." Warden looked up and only caught a shadow of Aldith.
"Well, an hour of poetry did not kill anyone yet," Vortigern announced.
"Let's go" Warden nodded and followed Vortigern into the shadow of the building.

Poetry club
 
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The door opened, and three people entered. Two witchers and a man. Warden sat down on a bench, followed by Aldith and Vortigern. One of the artists started singing a poem. Warden looks up, but he heard the name of the story, which gained his interest immediately. It was Skull Rampage.
Vortigern turned and said to Warden:" My men are waiting. I got to go. See you soon."
"No problem," Warden replied.
When Vortigern was fixing his shield, Warden noticed a drawing on the inside part. It depicted a pregnant woman and two kids. Vortigern stood up and left.
"Warden look, "Aldith said to him. Warden looked in that direction and stopped breathing for a moment. On a stage, there was a giant black skull. Artist sat on it started talking about the Rampage.

"From that day, this man was never the same. When he saw his pregnant wife raped and both of his kids burned alive, he cried, because he was prevented from the chance of protecting them. For three straight days, this man did not leave his house. When he finally emerged, he was clothed in black. On his kite shield, a white skull appeared and on the back, he had a drawing of his family. When he was walking down the street, people were terrified to look at him. When he got to the main square, the same mob was awaiting him. Their leader was a local warlord who owned a small fort above the village. The man looked slowly at the group. No one was able to see his face, but they realized who are they standing against. He started moving slowly towards them with each step, the air became heavier and heavier. Warlord ran away. The man lifted his sword and started cutting the mob down like trees in the forest. With each strike, someone fell to his feet, where he was crushed. No one was able to put some resistance, because the circle of fear was too great, and with each death, he became more robust. Eventually, he slaughtered the entire group. But he wasn't done yet. He knew where they lived and what they hold dear. That day around 200 people died. Blood was everywhere. That day, people heard screams, as a demon emerged out of nowhere and picked his victims. The second day, he approached a warlord's castle. When Warlord saw him, he begged him for mercy. But instead of understanding, the man gave him a punishment. He grounded his shield. On a top, he executed Warlord's family, and eventually, lord found himself on that shield. After he robbed Warlord from all his gold, he burned a fort down. When he got back to the village, he gave gold to those who need it. But something strange happened. He approached me and said: Today, this day will be remembered by people. And you will tell this story to everyone who you meet on your way. You tell them this story so they can sleep peacefully because they know there is someone who cares. After he told me this, he went to his house and picked his belonging and galloped somewhere on his black horse. But one thing is shocking, which I realized after he left. On the backside of his shield, there is a drawing of his family. The first part of who this man is was lost. Maybe he was a retired commander; perhaps he was sent by gods. We don't know. But people started calling him Vortigern, the Overlord because his presence was felt everywhere. His current whereabouts are unknown, but I know one thing. He was born and ready to kill, from the day of his inception. That is the whole story that I have for you today. Thank you very much for being here and stick around for more. "
Loud applause echoed in a room. Warden was just sitting there.
Finally, Aldith noticed a Warden and asked him:" What's the wrong Warden? It was an exciting story."
"Yes, it was," Warden replied, but he was somewhere else in his mind.
"Do you remember when he said that this man had a drawing of his family?"
"Yes, I do. He probably remembers them every day." Aldith had no idea where is this conversation going.
Warden moved closer to Aldith and started whispering.
"Our friend is also called Vortigern, and he has the same drawing on the back of his shield as described in a story. I believe that our friend and that man is the same person."
"No way," Aldith said, surprised.
"We need to talk with Orion now." They stood up and at the same time.
Warden left a couple of coins on the table, and together with Aldith, they disappeared into the city.
 
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A citadel ruins

Orion was standing in front of a giant gate. He knew that he cleaned up the citadel, but something was still dragging him there. He drew his silver sword. A light reflection from his blade showed the sword's actual color. Elegant and deadly. He turned around when he heard Someone. Vortigern approached him. He shook his hand.
"So, what are you doing here so early?" Vortigern asked Orion.
"I cleaned up this citadel, but something is dragging me in there, every time I walk around. Want to join me?" Orion replied, still surprised to see Vortigern.
"Sure, why not. My men are resting for that outpost, so I am available." He fixed his armor and waited for Orion.
"Alright, I head first, you follow." Orion pointed to the open gate.
"After you," Vortigern stepped aside.
Orion started walking, with Vortigern behind him. He opened a second door, right next to the main gate, and they both entered the citadel.
"Do you know where it keeps dragging you?" Vortigern asked and ignited the torch for the light.
"No, I just follow what my heart tells me."
"Well, let's hope that your heart doesn't kill us." Both entered into the main hall.
There was a mess. But not just a lot. Bloody mess and a recent one. Orion kneeled to one of the corpses. The man was cut in half. It was a perfect cut. Another did not have any limbs. The blood paths were going into the surrounding rooms. He turned one corpse and pointed a detail to the Vortigern.
"I have a bad feeling. I am looking at this corpse right here. I look like it was brought here yesterday. What is even more alarming for me is that I can see the Snake pin, but he has a blue uniform. This blue uniform means that he is either a member of Blue Stripes or a Furry. But I see the skull, so this means that he is a Fury, which means that you know something. Who is this person?"
"I don't recognize him," Vortigern said, while he was searching through the pockets and pulled out a book, "but this can help."
Orion looked at the book.
He opened it and started reading on the last page. "The second day, we have been trapped here. Something or Someone is following us. The door is right there, but every time, we want to get out, we cannot. The door always vanishes. We were running out of the food. We were hoping that Vortigern, would find us, but the monster found us first. Maybe you surprised by how I am writing this. When the monster got me, I punched it in ahead and run away. So, I quickly hid under my fallen comrades and started writing. But then I felt cold like snow. I quickly finished writing and slowly turned. I saw it in full force. It looked like a hound. But he was red. Usually, these hounds are blue/made of ice, hence the belonging to the Wild Hunt. He was four times bigger than an average hound. Instead of ice, he was made of flames. The person holding him on a chain was also taller. He was standing over there on stairs. His armor probably resembled that one of Wild Hunt. But instead of grey or black, it was white. This man started walking down the stairs with the hound. He left a hound guard and he entered one of the rooms. When he comes back, he was holding two books. But what happened that I sneezed. He got scared and dropped one. His hound started running towards me. The man noticed me and threw his dagger which got me into the foot. Hound got to me first, but he did not kill me. Instead, he drew his sword, and, in my language, he told me to write what I just saw. I finished it. He read the whole book and said good writing. After I cut him in half, I am finishing this story for him." Orion looked at Vortigern.
" He finished a story for this man, even writing changes, which tells me that he has a higher education and feel for the art." Orion found himself starring at the writing.
"He wasn't the smartest, but he saw something. Whoever is reading this, look in a library the second shelf from the door. You will find an unmarked book. This helps you determine who I am."
"Text ends here, Vortigern, so time to check the library." Orion pointed to the door.
As they were walking, Orion stopped because he noticed a dropped book. Unmarked.
"Vortigern, don't go in there. I found it." Orion shouted at Vortigern.
"But he said to go in there," Vortigern replied.
"Don't go. It is a trap. My medallion is humming like crazy."
"If you say so." Vortigern agreed and returned to Orion.
Orion opened a book and started reading.
"This is interesting" He pointed to the first chapter.
"It talks about Wild Hunt, but then, it moves to Spheres. There are like 10 pages missing. The sentence starts as:" Wild Hunt is one thing to worry about, but there is another unit. They are called Death Wing. And It ends here."
"Wait, you said Death Wing?" Vortigern jumped on the spot, "I read about these guys. They are the best of the best. Some of the Hunt's finest soldiers, not generals, come from that unit. They are mostly known for illegal activities; which Elves' codex prohibits. But they are unique, in the sense that codex doesn't apply to them. They also have navigators, as Wild Hunt does, because of one elve's experiments and inbreeding, they left a lot of unwanted kids, from which some possess a lot of power, but they weren't perfect. Death Wing found these kids and trained them. None of them matched the Caranthir's strength, but only one came close. Khyrmn."
"How do you know this?" Orion asked Vortigern.
"I have a copy of this book in HQ. There were two prints made. Both were supposed to be burned, but I got it from a merchant, who pretty much gave it to me for free. So, I memorized something and hid a book in our Fort. When we finish this thing, I will take you there so that I can give it to you." Vortigern promised.
"I believe that is time to get out of here," Orion said, feeling a bit nervous.
Orion with Vortigern started walking towards the main gate. When they got to the door close to the entrance, Orion opened it and got outside. In front of them, there was a Fury unit waiting for them. All of them were ready to fight. Vortigern noticed it and drew his sword and shield.
"What is happening here, guys?" Vortigern asked the men.
"You betrayed us, and now you are going to pay for it. Get him, "Someone yelled from the back.
They started approaching Orion and Vortigern. Orion pulled out a ring and snapped it. Both of them vanished into the air, leaving Fury behind.

Dorrin bank
 
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Warden with Aldith was sitting with the Dorrin when Warden heard this from the stone." Get that witcher. Vortigern, you had betrayed us, and now you are going to pay for that." Then they heard a scream and silence.
"What is happening?" Dorrin asked.
"If you look outside, you will see what is happening." Aldith pointed out of the window.
An angry mob was there together with the Fury. And they were getting impatient.
"Fuck," Dorrin cursed, while Warden and Aldith had their steel swords ready.
"Orion, do you hear me?" Aldith asked.
"Yes, I can hear you. Listen, the whole city is in chaos. Fury had joined Syndicate, and they will turn every stone to find us. I teleported with Vortigern. We found the answer for the snow at Mons Transire in the middle of the summer. Now listen. You guys will try to get to the house, pack everything and burn the house down. After that, you guys have two choices. I already notified Gordon and he agrees. So, your choices are, either to find the teleport ring and teleport to Mons Transire. Or get to the port, check on Terric and teleport Home. The clock is ticking. Can Dorrin hear me?" Orion was almost shouting.
"Orion, I hear you clearly," Dorrin replied.
"Alright, listen, the mob will be going to your bank. You have choices. Either go to the port and meet with Gordon or teleport with Warden and Aldith. Personally, I would say go with Gordon, so you guys are less suspicious. Your call. We will meet at Mons Transire." Stone went silent for the moment.
Warden looked at Aldith and Dorrin. "I am going to the port to meet with Gordon, and I will take Terric with me," Dorrin said.
"Hatch behind my table in my office. We will go there. I turn left, you guys will turn right. Just keep going straight until you get to the end. Climb the ladder, open the Hatch, and the house should be close. Now let's go." Dorrin said.
They went together to the Hatch and jumped inside, and the moment building started to collapse.
"I see you, Witchers soon" Dorrin waved and disappeared into the sewer system.
"Come on, let's go," Aldith yelled at Warden. Together they vanished into the dark.

Lone tower somewhere in the countryside, close to the sea.

"Are you sure you still have that book?" Orion was waiting for Vortigern, who was looking in his closet.
"I am sure that I have. Give me a moment." Orion was looking around Vortigern's room when he heard a chain and armor clinging on stairs.
"Keep looking for that book, and we have a guest. One man, heavily armed. He just teleported here." Orion whispered.
Orion pointed his sword at the door and got ready for the worst. The sound stooped at their door.
"I got the book," Vortigern whispered and put his book into the backpack. Orion heard knock and door started opening. Vortigern stood in front of the Orion with his shield covering them both at the same time. The door had opened. The tall man entered the room. White armor, a white shield, and a white flail, which explained the chain and a sword on his back. Orion knew that flail is a very potent weapon in skilled hands, even thou the flail was a rare weapon on a battlefield. Only a few mastered its handling. If it swings, you better roll out of the way. If it would hit you, you better pray that would be dead. Orion was so ready for the swing, but instead, the man brought the chair into the middle of the room and sat down. He pointed at Vortigern and Orion, and with the magic, he made two other chairs. Orion put his sword back to the scabbard, and with Vortigern, they sat down.
The man put down his helmet. Vortigern noticed an elven feature.
"I am not stupid to be swinging flail here, so let's have a little chat. Or we can fight and both of you will die. Your call." The elf sat back and relaxed.
"What are we will be talking about?" Vortigern asked.
"You know, let's talk architecture. Did you know that Elven architecture is the oldest form, and multiple royal palaces on Continent took an inspiration?" The elf said it with irony in his voice.
"I am not here talk about architecture, as you may notice. I am Arl, leader of the Death Wing. I am here because Eredin has a thumb in his ass and he is trying to locate someone. It drives me up to the wall because that bitch teleports every time we get closer. Do you know who I am talking about?" Arl looked deeply at both humans sitting with him in that room.
"No," Orion replied.
Arl looked at the Vortigern. "and who are you?" Elf asked Vortigern, but he noticed the drawing on a shield and said:" I finally meet the legendary Vortigern, that painting on your protection always gives it away. And you are Orion or Warden, I cannot tell. But looking at your swords, you are Orion."
"Yes, genius," Orion replied.
"I don't like that tone," Arl said to Orion," I am trying to solve this with some diplomacy here. This is the person who Death Wing is looking for." Arl handed a sketch to the Orion. Orion looked on it. There was a sketch of a young lady. Her features were both human and elf. He passed the paper to Vortigern. "She goes by multiple titles: Swallow, Ashen One, Lady of Space and Time or Zireael. "Arl pointed out a couple of details.
"Did you say Swallow?" Vortigern asked Arl.
"Yes, I said it. Do you know anything?" In Arl's eyes, Orion noticed a new fire.
"That was a long time ago. I was once part of the Nilfgaard army before they left me, and I was supposed to report to the emperor. When I was waiting for the audition, a small white-haired girl bumped into me. She sat on the ground and started crying. So, sat down next to her and I tried to calm her down. I open my palm and told her to punch it, so she can feel better. She almost broke my hand, because she started punching my palm so fast and precise. Then she hugged me and said to me that I will do great things in my life. She vanished, and that was the last time I saw her." Vortigern finished his talk.
"At least someone knows something, even thou this information is outdated," Arl said.
"You know, it is getting dark, which means that the morning will be here soon in my world. I wanted to show my fiancée a house that I designed, where we will move after we get married. Instead, Eredin shows up in my doorstep around midnight and requests me to find this girl by any means necessary. If I want, I can use Death Wing. I refused at first. So, he grabbed my fiancé and told me to find that person or he will kill her. I obviously agreed and I summoned a Death Wing. We agreed that there is no need for alarm, so only I will go with Khyrmn and one regiment. We agreed that I will search the Continent, while Khyrmn will investigate other worlds because the person is Lady of Space and Time. Part of the Swallow's trail leads to the Mons Transire. Do you know anything about it?" Arl just started talking out of nowhere, which surprised Vortigern.
"I do, but I want something in return for information," Orion said to the Arl.
"I figured, what is it?" Arl looked deeply at Orion.
"I want your word, that when I disclose this information, nothing will happen to my school." Orion was awaiting an answer.
"You have my word," Arl replied.
"Hold on, Khyrmn is contacting me." Arl stood up and opened a projection stone. A figure in full armor and a staff had appeared and started talking in an unknown language. After a while, Arl closed the projection and sat down." Khyrmn just picked off the trail near your school. I ordered him with the regiment to stand down and camp in a forest. I believe now its time to explain."
"She showed up three weeks ago. Warden and I were called together with other witchers to our fort because someone was angry and called three Kovir regiments to attack us. So, she appeared out of nowhere, right during the practice. She was tired, wounded and confused. We gave her a room to recover. She did not talk that much. I noticed an empty scabbard. I went to the armory, I picked two swords and gave her a choice to pick one because I believe that everyone should have some sort of protection. She picked one and thanked me. We ate dinner and she thanked us for everything. She left the note in her room. It said, how peaceful everything was when she was here, and she is thankful for the new friends that she made. She thanked the sword and said when we will meet next time, she will tell us everything. That is all," Orion finished talking.
"With your permission, I would still go to investigate, and it seems that you don't have a choice."
"Why not, just teleport us there," Orion said to Arl.
"As you wish," Arl said, and they vanished into the air, still sitting on chairs.

Chapter 5 Hunt
 
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Mons Transire

A bright light appeared, and Warden jumped out of the teleport, followed by Aldith. They found themselves in the inner courtyard. Sun just disappeared behind the mountains.
"Looks like everyone is inside." Warden pointed to the window.
Aldith grabbed one backpack while Warden picked another, and together, they got the arch. Warden opened a door and led Aldith to go first. The entered the hall when Warden heard swing. He immediately dodged and noticed Darren.
"Hey, it's me, Warden," Warden yelled at Darren.
Darren noticed him and hid his sword. "I am sorry, safety measures. We have a regiment of unknown origin camping in a forest. How do they look like?" Aldith jumped into Darren's sentence.
"They look like Wild Hunt, but instead of grey and black, all of them are white. Darren briefly explained the situation.
" Warden, Aldith, you are back," someone yelled from the back.
Warden, Aldith, and Darren joined everyone at the table. Warden took Aldith's backpack and put it in the kitchen. When he returned, he joined the group. Everyone was sitting behind the table. Chanse, his wife Sabina, their kids, Shani, Star, and now the rest will join them.
"Where are Orion and Vortigern?" Darren asked when Warden finished drinking water.
"Sorry for jumping in, but did I hear Vortigern?" Chanse asked the witchers.
"He is coming here?" Sabina asked also.
"Yes, that one, and yes, he will be here. Is there a problem?" Warden asked Chanse.
"He saved our lives once. So, I am grateful for our new ally and friend." I second to that," Aldith joined the conversation.
"So, did you guys save the city?" Shani asked.
"We are getting there, but Orion gave the order to move here because something bigger is in the play now. And he can explain the snow in the middle of the summer, but he didn't tell me everything." Warden said to Shani.
"Wait for me. I put kids to sleep, and then we will continue." Sabina said to the group.
"I help you" Shani offered help.
"Thank you." Together they took kids and disappeared upstairs.
"So, where is Steelman?" Aldith asked.
"He did not move from the bell tower," Star said.
"Let them eat. We will ask them questions later," Chanse said to the group, "I can see that they are starving." Warden was already eating, and Aldith just loaded a second plate.
"Did you hear that?" Darren asked the group, but everyone heard it.
"I heard somebody teleport upstairs. Chanse stays here with Aldith, and I am going with Darren to check it out." Warden stood from the table and already had a sword in his hand. Together with Darren, they went upstairs.
"Check the Chanse room," Warden whispered. Darren opened the door to his left and looked. Shani was changing clothing on one child, while Sabina was in the next room. Darren returned to Warden.
"Everything in order," Darren reported. Warden pointed at the door to another room.
"Isn't that room, where that young lady was? What was her name? Ciri?" Darren whispered.
"Probably, but I hear voices. She is not back. Whoever is talking is highly educated, because his syntax implies a higher education. But he is also angry because he is forced to be here?" Warden pointed to the door.
"Should we peek?" Daren asked Warden.
"That is a good idea, but I have better. I found this thing in Beachfort, I killed that witcher. He had this thing. Blueprint said that put in on a door and you will be able to hear what is behind those doors. So, let's try it." Warden pulled out the stick and put it on a door.
"Now put your hand on it, so you can hear, apparently you cannot hear unless you put an arm on it. When you put your arm on it, only you will hear, but multiple people can do it."
Warden put his arm on a stick and heard this:" So you are telling me that this is the room?" Arl pointed out, "This is a great room, but I am not here to talk about design. This is a projection stone. It lets me recreate events that happened in that place and it can also tell me from where that person or thing came and where is it heading. Projection is coming up. I love that combination of white and green. My fiancée has green eyes. No wonder Eredin is looking for her. That sick man, I remember he tried it one time with her, but she disappeared with Avallach or whatever his name is. Now I know why. So, she got here from Novigrad and she teleported to Skellige. A little roundtrip, but I am not here to judge. Orion, why would she come here?" Arl asked Orion.
"Honestly, I have no idea. Since you said that she left with that Elf, I assume a teleport did not work as intended and they split at the crossroad. Or maybe they were avoiding Eredin and the Wild Hunt was summed already. You said that you are with Eredin in a not that great relationship. He could have just to send you hereafter the cold trail. Do you wanna finish the talk at dinner?" Orion asked Arl.
"I will be honored. I just tell Khyrmn to return and check on my house. I am pulling out the regiment too." Warden quickly hid the stick, and together with Darren, they returned to the table. Everyone was there, waiting for them.
"So, what was it?" Star asked. "It was Orion, Vortigern, and someone else. And here they come." Darren said. Everyone looked at the staircase. The saw Orion and Vortigern and then a tall elf in white armor.
"So, is dinner ready?" Orion asked the group.
"I tell you everything when we will be eating, and this is our new ally Arl, the commander of Death Wing." Arl joined the group at the table, and he started talking.

Morning

Orion felt the tension. Khyrmn reported to Arl that Wild Hunt was last spotted in Skellige, but he couldn't tell him about his fiancée, which worried Arl the most. Hunt located Ciri on the Isles of Mists, but she teleported again. Now Caranthir was trying to find her, but thanks to the Khyrmns decoys, he bought a Ciri a day.
"I am excited and nervous at the same time," Aldith said. Everyone was outside. Orion was just about to seal the deal with Arl when Khyrmn appeared out of nowhere.
"I don't think that this can wait," Khyrmn said to the Arl, just the moment what Arl was trying to sign the paper.
"What is happening?" Arl asked.
"I have a couple of things. Caranthir, despite my decoys, he found Ciri. She is at this place, Kaer something." Khyrmn started talking.
"You mean Kaer Morhen. A witcher school." Aldith said.
"Yes, that one. Eredin got himself a new boat. But since he is attacking the Kaer tomorrow, he vulnerable from the back, meaning if we kill Ge' el, or force him to change sides, Eredin will lose the support. Or we can just walk in and take the throne, without anyone's consent. The thing is, even if Ge' el joins us, he still must die either way. Another thing, a witcher named William is back at the Chanse's castle, and everyone is awaiting Chanse and his family. I can teleport them there. So, what are your orders?" Khyrmn finished talking and started calibrating Astrolabe.
"I sign this, and then we will talk," Arl said and signed the paper.
"I agreed with Grandmaster Orion that he and his witchers would help us seize the Rule, and in the payment, we help them to finish the contract which divided their school."
"Can you teleport us home?" Chanse asked Khyrmn.
"Just say ready, and you will be there. No need for packing all your things will be there," Khyrmn replied and prepared his staff. Chanse waived at his family, and they came closer.
"We would like to thank you for everything that you did for us. As a token of our gratitude, you Arl and you guys are welcome anytime at the castle." Chanse said to the group.
"Now go in peace, and may sun be always above you," Orion said and shook Chanse's hand.
"We will stop by," Khyrmn said something, and Chanse with his family vanished.
"I forgot to tell you. A Death Wing is no longer welcomed at Tir Na Lia, but when you show up, elves will follow you." Khyrmn added.
"We will wait. When Eredin deploys first troops at Kaer, Khyrmn will teleport us to the Palace of Awakening. Expect heavy resistance. When we breach, we are heading straight to the throne room. If Ge' el yields, he will live, but if he resists, he dies. When I sit on a throne, I talk and turn elves against Eredin. When Eredin is defeated, and I know that Prophecy says that a White Wolf will kill him, we will bring peace and end all the rules what Eredin made. We will make elves great again. After I fix the kingdom, we will return and I, nobody else except witchers, will go and finish the contract. And know, who wants to play Gwent?"
"I challenge," Shani said to Arl.
"Challenge accepted," Arl said, and Khyrmn prepared the table.
"It is on now," Darren said.
 
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Somewhere in time and space

"Well, Khyrmn, what happened?" Arl asked when they landed somewhere.
"Orion is not here. It looks like we lost him in teleport." Warden looked behind him when he noticed that his twin is gone.
"Where are currently nowhere, yet everywhere and I saw what will happen in time fragments. Time has moved. A White Wolf visited our world, and Ge' el decided to help to take down Eredin and elves are not going to support him, but I saw a battle ahead, not just our, I saw that White Wolf had burned Imlerith and he killed Carathir too and now he is heading for Eredin. Our battle will be victorious, but we have to defeat Xealth, the guardian of the Palace of Awakening, but since Caranthir was killed, he will be weaker, yet still deadly." Khyrmn tried to take one of the fragments, but it melted in his hand.
"Did you see my fiancée?" Arl asked.
"No, I haven't, but I believe that she is still alive. And I saw the Life inside her." Arl put down his helmet. He sat on nothing and broke down in tears.
"Life inside her? That means that she is pregnant, or she is alive? We must get there as soon as possible." Arl stood up again.
"I know that we have to," Khyrmn said while he hit his staff on the ground, and a blue sphere surrounded everyone.
"Hold on to your helmets," Khyrmn said.
Arl stood up and looked at everyone. Warden Aldith, Darren, Star, Shani, and Vortigern were looking at him too.
" I value that you guys are here," Arl said.
"Now listen up, there is a battle going on. Death Wing had clashed with the leftover forces of Wild Hunt. We already breached city walls and our units are heading to secure it. Our target is a palace. If you don't see the guardian, he is inside. When we get there, Warden and Vortigern will go with Arl, Darren will go with Star and Aldith and I go with Shani because I see many injured brothers, who need help. Arl knows the guardian, and Warden, with Vortigern, will help him. Darren, Star, and Aldith will help on a front line, while Shani will heal our brothers, and I will decoy any teleports with reinforcements." Khyrmn revealed the rest of the plan
"Can you amplify my voice so it can be heard to my units and Eredin?" Arl asked Khyrmn.
"You are on" Khyrmn showed him thumbs-up, and Arl started:" Brothers, do not retreat, I the Arl, the commander of Death Wing is speaking to everyone who is with me. Today, retribution is at hand, and your swords will be guided by fury. You will show no fear and for every killed Wild Hunt soldier, we grow stronger. I know that it is not my destiny to stop Eredin, but his time has come. When I emerge, I will sit on an Eternal Throne and banish anyone who is with Wild Hunt. I don't care about any guardians, because my fury is more potent than all of them combined. Eredin, for your crimes against your race, you shall not retreat, and all gates will be closed, leaving you to fight White Wolf alone. And get ready Xhalth, because when I slay you, you will return to your domain piece by piece." Arl showed the sign, and Khyrmn stopped.
"Now brace for landing," Khyrmn announced and cut the teleport in the middle.


They appeared in the middle of the marching Death Wing Regiments. When regiments realized that Arl had landed, their confidence increased. The group divided by their assignment. One of the officers arrived and saluted to Arl.
"Report," Arl saluted back.
"We were able to defeat Wild Hunt forces in a city. Now they reinforced in the palace and a temple."
"Move regiments to the temple and secure it. I will go with the last one to take over the palace. You have my friends here, so take care of them. Once you secure the temple, do not approach the palace. Only when I emerge with the guardian's head, you will advance. Now go, Soldier of Destiny, and showed them what you got." Arl saluted, and officer transmitted information.
One regiment stood in a matter of moments in front of the Arl and Warden.
"Are you ready, Soldiers of Destiny?" Arl yelled and put his helmet on.
He pulled out his flail, fixed his shield, and, together with Warden and Vortigern, they started marching on a Palace of Awakening.

Someplace, unknown to everyone.

"I wish I could say it, but I hate traveling between the worlds," Orion landed somewhere.
There was nothing around him to see because a snow blizzard was covering everything. Following his nose, Orion covered himself in a coat, which covered his armor, but his swords were ready. Wasn't sure what is going to happen, he cast a Quen, and blue sparks started popping out around him. Luckily, he was trained in a cold, so he felt like home. After a long walk, he came across a corpse. He kneeled and saw a knight frozen to death. Next to him, there was his dead horse carved inside. Orion noticed it. Probably, when the horse died, the knight tried to fit in and sleep, but something got him. Next to his sword and shield, there was a diary. Orion opened on the last page and started reading.
"Whoever reads this, he or she knows that I am dead. I got stranded here by unknown means. A tough road ahead. And beware of THE GUARDIAN. To get to him, you need to pass a trial. The mirror match." The rest of the page was frozen and damaged. Orion hid a diary and picked knight's kite shield for blizzard protection and sword so he can examine it later. He saw an arrow in snow, so he followed in that direction. After yet another long walk, he came across another sword. But this time, he noticed the hilt, when he approached it. It was Ciri's sword, the one he gave her when she appeared at Mons Transire. The footsteps were disappearing quickly, so he grabbed a sword with scabbard and followed the trail. He got to the edge of the world, when he noticed Ciri, sitting on the edge. When he got to her, he sat down next to her. Ciri turned her head and saw that someone is sitting next to her. Orion put down his cape and covered Ciri in it.
"Mind telling what you are doing here?" Orion asked.
"Did you find my sword?" Ciri asked.
"It's right here," Orion handed her a sword.
"You did not answer my question. Why are you here?"
"Why are you here?" Ciri asked and looked at Orion.
"I was embarking on taking down Eredin, but teleport did not work, and I ended up here." Orion tried to figurate out why is Ciri here.
"I am here to fulfill an old prophecy. "Ciri looked on Orion.
"And how is that going?" Orion asked.
"Not that good. I followed instructions, but I missed something—a dead knight corpse. There was supposed to be a diary with steps. Now I am sitting here, thinking about everything and everyone who I left behind. One more step and I will be flying to nowhere. I don't know what to do." Ciri tried to laugh.
"You know, you are so lucky. I accidentally came across a corpse with the diary. This is the diary, what I found. I give it to you under one condition. I go with you anywhere. Deal?" Orion pulled out the diary.
"Why do you want to go?" Ciri jumped back at him.
"I feel that I was created to do something greater. I have a feeling that I will accomplish it with you. You weren't the only one who was chased by a Wild Hunt, but I wasn't given a priority." Orion was a little hesitant.
"Deal," Ciri replied.
Orion slowly handed her a diary.
"What do you read, Lady of Time and Space?" Orion asked.
"Can you help me?" Ciri asked Orion.
"Since I have nowhere else to go in the current situation, I help you." Orion stood up, and Ciri followed.
"Mirror is first." Ciri said, "But where is the mirror?" The moment Ciri said mirror, a snowstorm vanished, and they appeared in a different place.
They were standing on an ice sheet. And in front of them, there were their reflections. Orion had a Ciri's reflection, and Ciri had Orion's.
"This will be difficult, but we can manage," Orion pointed out.
"But how ?" Ciri asked.

Palace of Awakening
 
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Arl was standing in front of the palace, with Warden on his right and Vortigern on his left and Death Wing regiment was behind them. In front of them, there was a palace Guardian, Xhalth surrounded by leftovers of Wild Hunt units. Arl turned when he heard a whistle. One of the officers waved at him. That meant that Temple was secured. He turned back and looked at Xhalth.
“It is over now, Xhalth. Return to your domain and I will never summon you again. If you fight, there is no mercy. And you, soldiers of Wild Hunt, if you lay down your weapons, you will face a fair trial and I will show my mercy” Arl pointed at the Justice statue.
Soldiers looked at the Xhalth.
“Once, I am summoned, I cannot return. And I don’t want to return. So, I am going to fight you one on one. If you win, you can execute me. But If I win I kill you and everything that you hold dear.” Xhalth challenged Arl.
“Challenge accepted,” Arl yelled at him.
Arl turned and said to Vortigern and Warden. “Behind stairs, to my left, there is a door. Go there. It will lead you to the library. I feel that people are there. Go and save them. If you find my fiancée, together with others, escort them to the throne room. I meet you there.”
“You got. Strength and Honor” Vortigern hit his shield with the sword.
“Strength and Honor” Warden said and together with Vortigern, they left Arl alone against Xhalth. Arl went up the stairs to face Xhalth. They were about the same height, Arl started spinning his flail, while Xhalth pointed his spear.
“Prepare to meet your summoner” Arl yelled at Xhalth.
“You prepare to meet your ancestors,” Xhalth yelled at him.
Soldiers of Wild Hunt clashed with Death Wing. That was the signal for Xhalth to strike first. He charged Arl at the full speed. Arl stepped aside and with the full force, he hit the Xhalth in the face with the flail. Xhalth head moved backward with the impact and loud noise sounded when flail hit the helmet.
“Lay down your spear and I will be merciful,” Arl said to concussed Xhalth.
“Never in my lifetime,” Xhalth replied and charged again Arl.
"Here we go again" Arl swung again

Ice place somewhere
 
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“Hey, Ciri,” Orion yelled at Ciri, who was fighting her reflection.
“I am busy,” She yelled back.
“I just want to tell you that these reflections don’t know how to parry.” Orion parried Ciri’s attack.
“That is good to know,” Ciri said and teleported behind the reflection, which did not help at all because Orion’s reflection just swung his sword there, and Ciri barely dodged it. Orion parried Ciri’s attack, which knocked her down on the ice. Only a pure force and momentum of Orion’s overhead swing, he cut the reflection in half and broke the ice, where Ciri’s reflection was laying.
“I killed you,” Orion yelled at Ciri.
“Well, I still did not kill you.” Ciri just dogged another strike.
Orion grabbed his crossbow and aimed at his reflection’s head. He released the lever and heard the whistle of the bolt. The bolt went right through the mark, with no damage. Even if Orion wanted to help, he was frozen in place.
“Ciri, you must throw a parry. I know myself too well.” Orion yelled at Ciri.
“I am trying,” Ciri yelled back.
“I overextend a lot because I need space for my powerful swings. Use it.” Orion yelled back.
“Since when you are using a shield?” Ciri asked and pointed her sword at the shield on Orion’s back.
“I only used it for the snow to cover myself. Parry me now, or we will be here forever.” Orion’s voice almost sounded like an order. Ciri looked at Orion’s reflection. Orion was preparing for an overhead strike. Ciri slid her sword right into the man’s weakness and thought vanished. Orion was finally able to move. He approached Ciri. “So, what next?” Orion asked Ciri.
“Second is past/present and future. And afterward, my calling.” Ciri read from the diary.
“Well, but how do we get from this icy place?” Orion though out.
“Well, look down,” Ciri pointed her sword on ice.
Orion looked down and saw a young girl running around in what Orion assumed a palace. Then, it looked like a king approached her, but she started crying and ran away. He saw her running towards the man with two swords. A scene changed. Orion noticed a dummy and a girl was trying to hit it, while other people were watching her. He saw a Geralt of Rivia as he was carrying her, a scene changed, in a forest, picking berries. Again, the scene changed, and he noticed a Ciri jumping from place to place via portals and Eredin chasing her. He saw a bed, Ciri, and some Elf. The scene changed again. This time he saw her standing next to him and then leaving him in front of the wall, and he couldn’t follow her. And then there was black. He looked up and saw Ciri sitting on an ice sheet. He approached her, sat next to her.
“What did you saw? Orion asked Ciri.
“I saw a small house in the mountains. There was a young family with two kids living in that house. One day, father, left the family and never returned. Scene changed. A witcher was standing outside the house, knocking on a door. A lady opened a door. I did not hear what he said to her, but she broke down and started crying. She invited him inside. Scene changed. Two boys were playing around the house. Lady pointed at the two boys, and witcher took them. The scene changed, and I saw two boys growing up and training. That is all”.
“Well, what now,” Orion asked.
“This is it, the final thing, which I only can do. I must leave you now. Good luck, Orion.” Ciri said and stood up.
“Wait, one more thing.” Orion jumped and grabbed her shoulder. Ciri looked on him.
“Look, I know you had a short time knowing us. If you came back, you know where to find us. When I was looking down, apart from the thing that I saw, I saw Geralt sitting on a boat with the black-haired woman. Geralt was said and regretted everything wrong what he did to you. That lady is trying to calm him down. So, if you make it, meet me at the Mons, and we will find them.” Orion said and hugged Ciri.
“I hope that I will see you soon.” Ciri said, “and again, thank you for the sword and for being here.”
“Anytime,” Orion said, and Ciri vanished into the air.
Orion looked down on the ice. “Well, time to get somewhere,” but he noticed a light below the ice. Orion started breaking the ice and melting it with Igni.

Courtyard at the palace of Awakening

Arl was standing above the Xhalth, who was wounded and concussed. Arl’s flail was dripping blood. Xhalth spear was broken into pieces.
“It is over now.” Arl pointed with his shield at the temple, which was in flames.
Xhalth spat on Arl’s feet and started crawling away. “You lost, but I am not going to execute you, because I don’t want your son to be growing up without anyone since you lost your girl at the childbirth and your lady took her own life.” Xhalth turned and looked at Arl.
“How do that?” Xhalth asked Arl.
“Knowledge about your enemy is only a half of victory. I am giving you last chance.” Arl was impatient.
“You win,” Xhalth admitted defeat.
“Khyrmn report,” Arl asked the stone, what he pulled out of his pocket.
“Yes, Arl, the temple is secured. What is happening?” Khyrmn asked Arl.
“Get here as soon as possible,” Arl ordered.
“Understand Commander,” Arl extended his arm to the Xhalth. After a moment of hesitation, Xhalth grabbed it and stood up.
“I am going to teleport you home. You will be banished from this place for exactly 128 years. After that, you will return and meet with me.” Arl offered Xhalth an offer which he could refuse.
“I understand,” Xhalth answered.
Khyrmn approached them.
“Yes, Arl?” he asked.
“Teleport him home,” Arl pointed at Xhalth.
“As you wish,” Khyrmn twisted his staff, and the portal had opened.
“Thank you, Lord,” Xhalth said to the Arl and entered the portal.
The portal closed behind him.
“Time to go to the Throne Room,” Arl said to Khyrmn.
“Order everyone to come to the palace of Awakening. Soldiers, prisoners, and civilians. Transmit this, and we will go.”
“As you wish,” Khyrmn said and broadcasted the message.
“Time to go,” Arl pointed at the door.

Throne Room

Arl, together with Khyrmn, entered the Throne Room. Surprisingly enough, the room was lighted, and the new carpet was on the ground. When they turned the corner, they noticed a Throne. Around him, there were elves preparing things. Vortigern and Warden were standing there looking at everyone. And next to the Warden, she was there. Storm, his fiancée.
Arl stopped with the Khyrmn, and Arl signed at the whole room. “When our worlds collide …”
He heard back this:” We paint our destiny.” Storm turned with fire in her eyes.
As they were approaching each other, both Storm and Arl were singing:” You and I, together we travel between the worlds to find each other again. Together we choose day or night. Together we walk through the Storm to see a tomorrow. Together we keep the fire, and together we have the light. We are destiny.”
When they ended, Storm ended up in Arl’s arms.
“I was supposed to show you our house, but I guess that we upgraded,” Arl said to Storm.
” I know, but we can have both the house and the palace.” She replied.
“You are always right,” Arl said to her.
“I know. Now, the Throne is ready.” She pointed at the Throne.
Arl looked on it and approached it. He turned and sat on it. His presence was felt to everyone outside.

Everyone who outside went inside. In front of the crowd, there were Shani, Star, Darren, and Aldith. When everyone got to the room, Arl stood up. Warden and Vortigern joined the group. Everyone bowed in front of him, expect the witchers, Shani and Vortigern. Codex of the school of bear prohibits witchers from bowing in front of the ordinary men, priests, kings, or higher power, as it is written in Part 2 (No witcher, shall ever bow in front of another man). A small child entered the room. She carried a crown. Simple, yet elegant, a crown was reflecting the light of candles, since there was midnight. She approached the Throne. Arl kneeled. One of the Elders picked the Crown from the girl and put it on Arl’s head.
“Rise, Arl, commander of Death Wing and protector of our World. Now, you shall rule. We know that our previous king wasn’t fair. We hope that you will keep your word and be fair to the people. Now, do you accept this Crown?” Elder asked Arl
“Yes, I do,” Arl replied.
“And now,” Elder turned to the Storm, “Will you marry Arl and help him on his way?”
“Yes, I will,” Storm replied and put her arm on Arl’s shoulder.
“Now, I shall...” Elder was cut halfway through the sentence because a bright light appeared in a room. Everyone covered their eyes. Everyone heard cursing, as something or somebody was falling. Everyone stepped aside when Orion fell through the portal, and a loud bang was heard when he landed on a floor. Orion quickly noticed where he is and stood up.
“Well, you missed all the action, Orion,” Arl said to the Orion.
“As one wise man said, I hate portals. Now I understand him,” Orion replied.
Everyone was just looking at Orion. Orion walked up to the Arl and handed him something. Arl took it, and Orion returned to the group.
“And now, I made a promise to these humans standing here. In one week, I meet you guys at Mons Transire, and I will fulfill my end of the contract.” Arl said to the crowd and pointed at Orion’s group.
“And now let’s celebrate,” Arl said, but he heard a whistle. He turned his head and saw a bolt passing right next to his head. When it passed, a roar was heard, when the bolt hit the masked animal.

The thing fell on the ground. Everyone looked at Orion, who just reloaded his crossbow.
“How did you know that thing was there?” Elder asked Orion.
“You saved my life,” Arl said.
“Don’t mention it, is there any food?” Orion asked.
“Well, outside, there is, so let us all go and celebrate.” Storm showed everyone the way.
Everyone went outside, where food was ready for everyone. Khyrmn opened the door, and everyone entered. And they ate.
 
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Chapter 6 Cabal of Vampires

Cave, surrounded by a graveyard, somewhere in Redania

“They ain’t here,” Darren pointed at the broken gate in a cave.
“I figured,” Warden pointed at the empty holdings.
“I can trace, where are they, if you guys find something,” Star suggested.
“Alright, time to sweep the cave one more time.” Darren was with Warden and Star, checking the last known place of the Cult of Vampires, which divided the whole school.
Interestingly enough, the contract was still standing. Orion, Aldith, and Vortigern were sweeping the surrounding graveyard, exceptionally large tombstones. Shani finally said goodbye day before to everyone, and she promised that she would come back. Arl, together with Khyrmn, was securing the kingdom in their world. They needed location, so Arl can determine how many troops to dispatch.
“Found something” Warden called at Star. He handed her an old cape, “Will this help?”
“Let me work my magic” Star grabbed the cape., “But keep sweeping the area.”
Darren walked over the corpse. He sat next to the corpse. “Found a corpse here, a young female in her early 20, and a recent one. Two bites in the neck are still visible, and this means that Vampire is around somewhere. It is noon, so he is asleep somewhere.
“Found the guy,” Vortigern said to the stone.
“Alright, we are out,” Star said.
“Are you sure it is him?” Aldith asked Vortigern.
“Smell of blood is going to that grave.” Warden pointed into the distance
“Alright, showtime,” Orion, together with Vortigern, uncovered the grave. There he was laying, in red clothing, with blood still dripping from his fangs. Warden moved his silver sword on a vampire’s throat. Vampire noticed and started shaking.
“Tell me where the rest of the cult or you will be exposed and burned.” Surprisingly enough, Vampire realized what is happening and handed them a map.
“X marks the spot” that was Vampire’s last word because Aldith cut his head off.
“Well, that was quick. Time to teleport home and figure out where they are. Star get us out of here” Orion said to Star
“Understood Orion” She cast teleport, and everyone left the place. But that cape, what they left behind. That cape.
 
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Mons Transire

"Anyone wants to take a guess?" Vortigern asked everyone in a dining hall.
"That Vampire said X marks the spot." Darren pointed out, "That we are dealing with Higher Vampires, not with the lower ones."
"What is the difference between Higher and Lower?" Vortigern asked.
"Difference is that Higher ones are more intelligent and usually resemble a human, while lower is more primal, but they can also resemble humans. Higher can also survive without blood, but they need it, while lower have an urgency to always feed on everything that has blood inside them. There is more to it, but basically, the higher you are, the more intelligent you are." Aldith explains it to Vortigern.
"Well, I found the place," Star pointed at the map. Everyone looked at the place.
"You are kidding me, right?" Orion asked Star.
"Look, I am not. The map what vampire gave us is old. So, I merged it with the new one and got the place." Star showed off her abilities.
"I know that place," Vortigern said, "That fortress and village were left in ruins, once I killed the warlord. So, it makes sense to move there. You can freeze the dead bodies, and Vampires can feast on them."
"Well, I am starving," Warden said. "Time to have lunch, and afterward, I will contact Arl that we got the place.

Palace of Awakening

"You did not sleep for three days; you need rest" Khyrmn was talking with Arl, "Even your wife is correct. Go rest, and I will take it from here. Just do this architect meeting."
"Being king is not that easy. Even that you have powers, they come at the price. Call that Architect." Arl said.
"As you wish," Khyrmn replied at left the room.
Storm said to Arl: "Listen to him, we need you."
"I know, but there are so many things which Eredin fucked up." Arl was desperate.
Storm took Arl's hand and put it on her belly. "Soon, there will be three of us. You will overload yourself, king. We need you."
"You are correct. Here comes the Architect. Let's hear him out." The door opened, and Khyrmn entered with Dior, the Architect.
"Your Majesty. I am Dior, the Architect. I designed a couple of buildings, forts, and libraries. What can I do for you?" Dior bowed in front of the Arl.
"We need to reinforce our borders because, after the fall of the Eredin, a lot of things were set in motion. I am giving you the power to fix what was broken and reinforce what is weak. Show me the blueprints for the forts." Arl invited the Dior to join him.
"As you wish," Dior said and opened his bag, and pulled out blueprints.
Khyrmn cast the spell, and the table appeared. Dior expended his blueprints, and Arl looked on them. He recognized one of the forts.
"Where is this fort?" Arl asked Dior.
"This fort was my side project. It is in another world, on a Continent. It was a military fort for I believe a Kovir kingdom, but they left it in ruins because it was too costly to maintain. Currently, at least what I know, is that fort was gifted to someone. Why the question, may I ask?" Dior was curious about Arl's interest int he fort.
"I saw it somewhere. We need something smaller and not build into the mountain. Can you make it work?" Arl asked Dior.
"I believe I can." Dior replied.
"One more question. Can you give me copies of these blueprints?" Arl asked Dior, trying to speed up the meeting.
"I send someone with the copies." Dior replied.
"Thank you; you are free to go." Arl dismissed him.
"It has been a pleasure," Dior bowed and left with Khyrmn.
"Hey Khyrmn, I call you when I am ready," Arl yelled at Khyrmn.
"You got it," Khyrmn replied.
"It is midnight. Let us go to sleep." Arl grabbed Storm's hand, and together they left.

Mons Transire
 
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"Don't tell me that we need full siege equipment, so we can just get into the fort," Orion questioned Vortigern.
"Well, when I got inside, the gate was open. Only what we need is a battery ram." Vortigern said, "Once we breach, there are no further checkpoints. One gate."
"That means that they will be in the main room. A gate will be there. So, our objectives are breach, locate the gate, kill every higher vampire and destroy the gate, which is probably guarded by Elder vampire, and get out," Darren said to the group while they were eating lunch.
"Yep," Orion said.
"Well, I still can't believe it was that easy to find them. We got lucky." Star said.
"I guess you right," Warden asked,
"Star, can I ask you something?" Warden looked at Star.
"Sure, go ahead, Warden."
"Why are you named Star?" instead of telling him, she showed him her right palm. There was a burned star symbol.
"Care to elaborate?" Vortigern asked, "because if it that Star, it makes your property of powerful man. He was working with one mage, but that is all that I know. I killed him 5 years ago. I did not bother to remember his name because he was filth, but he was known to be experimenting on humans."
"You are correct. I was a failed experiment and I was supposed to die in a pit, but I crawl my way from the mass grave, where he was throwing failed experiments. The Star on my hand granted me magic abilities and Lodge got Involved. I refused, so I am not officially a mage, which kind of saved me. And from that day, I am wandering through the Continent. I couldn't find anyone to help. So, I decided to give myself up. I even went for effect and cried that I am not a mage. But then, Darren gave me hope. I value everything that you guys did for me." Darren hugged her.
"You are welcome to stay anytime. "Orion said to Star.
Out of nowhere, a Khyrmn appeared in a dining hall.
"At least knock on a front door next time." Vortigern dropped his jug from surprise.
"My apologies," Khyrmn said and joined the table.
"What bring you here?" Orion asked Khyrmn.
"Arl won't be joining us at the contract, and he needs to fix a lot of things, because the death of Eredin set a lot of things into the motion. He gave me power and Regiment is on standby. So, what are the steps? He sends his greetings, and he is sorry for not able to attend the hunt."
"Being a king can be difficult," Darren said.
"I can imagine. If you don't have a puppet, like Eredin had Ge' el, things can be pretty difficult." Khyrmn said to Darren.
"Vampires had moved from the cave to the old fort." Orion started explaining, "Vortigern knows everything about the fort. The plan is this. We are going to need a battery ram. We need to breach, kill every vampire, destroy the portal. The optional objective is to loot the place and kill an elder vampire if he is there. If he is there, he becomes one of the goals. We strike at noon. "Orion showed the plan.
"We need to teleport troops and a ram here. When they get here, Khyrmn teleports us to the fort, and we attack. Vortigern knows where the teleport can be so we can destroy it."
"Sounds good to me." Aldith joined the conversation.
" Alright, if you need to do something, do it now. We meet the next day." Orion said to the group.
"That is like a whole day," Star said.
"Trust me. The moment we attack, no more rests" Orion pointed something to the Star on a wall, and she understood.
When everyone disappeared into the fort, Khyrmn asked Orion. "Are you sure about this ?"

Bell Tower

Vortigern was sitting in a bell tower, where he was overlooking the fort and surrounding areas. Bell was still there, but he couldn't find a hammer. He looked at the painting on his shield. Tears got into his eyes when he remembers those days. Even thou he was surrounded by people, he was still lonely. Vortigern heard footsteps. He cleaned his tears and looked at the door. The door opened, and Aldith entered. She noticed Vortigern sitting in a corner. She approached him and sat next to him.
"Orion and Warden will fight soon. Want to join?"
"Why are you telling me this?" Vortigern asked Aldith.
"I am telling it to you because you live here now, and we don't keep any secrets. Look Vortigern, you are wanted, man. We don't want to lose you. Especially I."
Aldith stood up and was just about to leave when Vortigern grabbed her hand. "Do you mind being here? I need someone to talk with."
"Sure, I will stay. What is on your heart?" Aldith joined him back, and together they were looking outside the window, while Vortigern was talking. And he was talking—a lot.
 
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Dining Hall
Khyrmn was talking with Star in a dining hall. Darren was reading in a library. Warden was sparring with Orion outside. Sometimes they heard noises when one of the twins nailed the other.
“You possess a great deal of power Star” Khyrmn was talking to Star about her abilities, “Are you sure you don’t want to be Navigator? I can teach you a lot, and you have talent.”
Star looked at him. “Is there a catch to it?”
Khyrmn showed her his staff. “Apart from getting a nice custom-made staff, once you pass the training, you get to travel between the worlds. None of the humans ever done this, but you can. You can do anything you want. You are not obligated to anyone. And here is the catch. When you learn this power, you will change a lot, depending on how good or bad you are and how your moral compass is set. I heard this old saying in another world when I was traveling. It can be translated like this: With great power, comes great responsibility. My responsibility was and still is to open gates between worlds, move armies at Arl’s command, but during the Reign, Eredin killed all navigators, who did not bow in front of him. Some of them escaped, so after I am done here, I will be traveling and looking for them and bring them back. There is a lot of things, which are still happening even after Eredin died. I have nightmares about another Conjunction of Spheres. If that happens, everyone needs to unite. I am sorry for taking that long, but there is a lot to be said. Any questions?”
Star looked at him “I think about it.”
“Take your time, and this is an important decision. Can I ask you something?” Khyrmn put away his staff.
“Go ahead.” Star looked him deep into the eyes.
“Who...” Khyrmn did not finish the sentence because he noticed Darren waving at them.
“I found something here which can help,” He yelled at them.
“Let’s see it,” Star stood up.
“Why not. I like this place.” Khyrmn grabbed his staff and followed Star.

Courtyard
 
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