Welcome back in the rewritten Witchhunt, as I promised it will be the same story only a little better version. The cast is the same:
Hungary as the witch
Romania as the hunter
and the others will appear later, but you may already know that.
The story was inspired by the original soundtrack of The Witcher (all three of them) and of course the characters belong to their rightful owners.
This story is a complete AU, with magical beings and medieval styled kingdoms and stuff.
Warning for heavy language, swearing and mention of blood, death and other stuff, again if you'd read Witchhunt you know these.
Enjoy.
He could faintly remember a voice so sweet and magical like a fairy humming a lullaby. Then he fell back asleep.
The next time he woke up, he could only feel the headache and uneasiness in his body. He pried his eyes open and looked around.
Shit.
For about two minutes of sitting on a cot and trying to adjust his vision to the lights in the room the only thing he could clearly think of was that only word. He felt dizzy in a horrible way and no matter how hard he tried to remember, no memory came into vision about the last events he did.
- Shit.
He had to say this out loud. Because if he didn't there would no other thought appear in his head. It was like a curse keeping him at the same point, the same part of time. He slowly dragged his palm across his face and blinked two more.
Finally he could see what surrounded him. A prison cell. He was sitting in a prison. Vlad had to laugh. He was in a fucking prison.
Something moved from across the room. He looked up to see the witch he was certain to had hunted down sitting right in front of him in a similar cell. Her hands tided in front of her, her clothes dusty and ragged, like she just finished a battle for her life… which probably was the truth… But his memories were foggy and dark and he couldn't force his head no matter how hard he tried.
- What are you doing here… - he managed to ask in a cracked husky voice. His head was killing him.
- What could a witch do in a prison? – she returned the question with a calm nonchalant face.
- Then… what am I doing here?
- You were drunk.
- And how does that explain this? It must be a mistake… Guards! -he shouted and walked to the bars searching for someone who could let him out.
- They won't come here. – the witch informed him.
- And why?
- You were shouting for them when they brought you here.
- Because it's a mistake! I have to get out. – he brushed his hair back with shaking hands.
- Why?
- Why you ask. 'Cause it's a fucking prison and I have work to do! Anyway, they cannot prison a hunter for nothing!
- You were quite the nuisance for them.
- But I'm the greatest witch-hunter in this goddamned country! I work for the king! They have no right to keep me here!
- Try to explain it to them. I have nothing to do with that.
- Right… - he stopped for a minute. – Why are you still here? They should have… - the witch sent him a questioning look, her head tilted a little. Her face was blank.
- This place is not so far from the royal capital the inquisitors should be here already. - He turned around. – Why aren't they here already? What's with this place?!
- Could you please stop shouting?
- Why?! I have no idea what's going on here I have the right to freak out! – his head started pounding heavily. He had to sit down. – Shit!
- You didn't sleep that much, it's still night. – her voice was so quite he almost couldn't hear it. The hunter snapped his head up and looked up at her with wild eyes.
- When did I capture you?
- Why is it so urgent?
- I just want to check something.
- Yesterday afternoon.
- And it's not morning yet. – she nodded. – They should be here in a couple of hours. At most midday. – he let out a deep sigh. At least this was solved. – Thanks… - the other didn't responded. – I mean that you told me this.
- What do you expect form me now? To say you're welcome?
- No, it's just… Absurd. You're right.
- I know.
- You're quite strange.
- How come?
- Well, of course this whole situation is strange but… I don't know. You don't curse me, you don't shout, and you even told me what's the situation so I won't freak out.
- That's because you can be awfully loud and I'm fed up with that just this much. – she raised her hands above her head, and the hunter could see the first expression on her face… or in her voice. Irritated.
- Then it's clear. Good. Now, then. How can I get out of here?
- How should I know?
- Well, if the guards won't come if I ask for them, maybe they will come if you do it.
- Why should I help you.
- I don't know… Why not? – she looked at him with a deadpanned expression.
- You're stupid.
- What?
- Okay. First, because you got me in jail, second, you're a hunter I just had a fight, third I consider you as enemy, and fourth I don't care about you. Should I continue? – she smiled.
- No… I guess I get it. – her smile disappeared and her face returned to nonchalant once again. – Do you smile when you're angry?
- So?
- I'm just curious.
- Why?
- Dunno… I'm bored.
- How tragic. Don't use me as entertainment.
- Why? This whole stuff is quite entertaining if you think about it.
- I want none of your stupid ideas or talk. As I said I had enough of that.
- When? I cannot remember talking to you.
- You were… fucking drunk. – her eyes sparkled with disgust.
- And I guess I did not shut up. At all.
- That would be the case.
- Well. Sorry for that. My friends had told me I can be the idiot if I drink too much.
- That's just… too sweet. In my opinion if you're drunk you're the most annoying, freakishly perverted man on earth.
- Ouch. That's harsh. Even from you.
- Oh, did I hurt your little human feelings?
- Yeah!
- You deserve it.
- Pretty ironic coming from a witch in prison.
- To a hunter who sits in the same prison? Yup, life is sick joke.
- That's…true. – Vlad smiled. – You know, Erzsébet, you're surprisingly wise.
- Don't you dare say out my name. – she almost stabbed him with her look by merely looking him in the eyes. Her voice was dangerously calm and quiet.
- Then how shall I address you?
- What about you don't address me at all? As you said there's still a couple of hours until the inquisitors arrive, why don't you use it for something beneficial, like sleeping, for the sake of both of our sanity?
- I have this tingling feeling you don't like me… - he smirked. She sent him an annoyed face. – How sad… Shall I fix that? – she sighed deeply.
- First, I thought you were simply drunk. Now I see, you were born as an asshole.
- Ouch.
- Just leave me alone, won't you?
- Why should I? I'm bored, and I'm pretty sure you are as well, why don't we kill the time with something that's interesting for the both of us?
- And what would that be in your opinion?
- I have plenty of questions for you.
- How do you know I want to answer any of them?
- Well I guess not everyday you have a hunter that's interested in you.
- That's it! – she made an attempt to gesticulate with her hands a stop, or the end of a concert, but as they were tied together it came out as a funny failed attempt. – I'm finished with you! – she turned in her corner as her cell did not even had a cot only some hay on the cold stone floor, showing the hunter her back.
Vlad blinked in surprise, as he did not say anything that could be this upsetting.
This was his chance. It's not like he always wanted to chit-chat about the meaning of life with a witch, but it was the witch-queen or whatever it is we're talking about. And he could win against her. No to mention just how much of his life did he spend on the searching. He had years to make a list about those questions. Furthermore she turned out to be wise. Wiser than expected. In contradiction of his handsome, carefree looks and lifestyle Vlad Popescu saw himself as an intelligent and serious man. He wanted to know the answers. But his chance seemed to be shattered by his drunk self and he had no idea what on earth had he exactly done? How could he fix that?
- Look… I know this may sound strange or rude but I really need to talk to you. It's absurd I admit but there are about a hundred questions I actually prepared for this moment, although I had never dreamed I would be a prisoner as well. So please, I as a mortal human beg you as a wise… I'm not sure what shall I call you anyway… so I beg you to answer my questions. – he couldn't believe he did say those sentences. The witch didn't move. Vlad sighed. – Okay. I will just… ask them anyway, so if you change your mind feel free to answer or whatever…
The hunter took a deep breath and started, keeping about a minute silence after every question, waiting for the witch to answer.
- Why do you think witches were created on this earth? Do you think everyone can learn how to control magic? Does everything on earth have magic in them? Are fairies real? Why did you destroy everything around you? Are you the witch-queen? Did you feel anything when you killed thousands and thousands of humans? Why did you hide yourself exactly in this forest? Aren't you afraid of the inquisitors? Why are you the greatest witch? Are you aware that they put the greatest prize on your head? Did you ever curse anyone? Did you ever meet any other witch? Why aren't you answering?
The hunter felt more and more disappointed with every new unanswered question. He was so close to his goal. The witch just sat there, her back towards him, nothing changing, nothing moving around her. Like she froze herself and the air around her.
Vlad sighed and laid back on the cot. He felt himself cheated. Life took away his only chance. He closed his eyes.
" Maybe I should sleep as she said. It would actually kill this useless time."
- Why are you asking these questions from me? There are far wiser humans out there in the world, professors and kings who could tell you the answers. Why are you asking a witch?
The hunter sit up with excitement and joy he never felt before. Erzsébet still sat facing the wall but she answered at least.
- That's because I know what will they answer. But I could never figure out how a witch sees these questions.
- You're quite the strange one of your kind. – her voice seemed warm and nice for a moment. As if she complemented him.
- I could say the same. So? Will you answer?
- Maybe… If you ask them separately I may remember them more clearly.
- Okay, so the first why do you-
- But before that, I have a question for you as well.
- Okay, go ahead.
- From these questions I can feel you already doubt the world's righteousness you live in. Why did you continue your job then?
- That's easy. I love my job.
- So you believe that I'm some form of evil in this world that needs to be punished and exterminated.
- I would say… yeah. Witches aren't more than bloodlust, passion for destruction, unreasonable anger and hate towards humans, sadistic: all these cruel characteristics are in them, these are the base of their existence. They are inhuman, a fret to all living creatures, the daughters of darkness and mist. They are some mistake in the creation of the world, which needs to be repaired, erased. – after a minute of heavy silence the witch turned towards the hunter her eyes sparkling with hate, a sweet smile on her lips.
- Then why are you interested in my opinion?
- Because you're different. – Vlad answered with a reassuring smile.
Erzsébet eyes burst with anger and hate and so much more as she started to scream.
- Why would I be any different?! Why are you always telling me this?! It's a lie! How would you know?! Why should I believe it?! How could you tell?! Why couldn't I be the most cruel of all?! How dare you say this to me?!
Vlad sat in his cell, eyes wild and confused, he couldn't understand anything. But the witch continued.
- You humans are all the same, stupid, blind, irrational beings! Why can't you make up your mind?!
- I think… I don't understand your problem. At all. I made up my mind, and everyone around me thinks I'm mad, just because I want to know your answers.
- Then explain to me why only my answers are valid for you? – she smiled again, a poisonous sweet, beautiful smile, a cold ran up in the hunter's back.
- Because you're different, wise, mysterious and greater than other witches.
- And why would I be any of that? How can you just decide it this easily?
- Look, I had encountered many of your kind before, that's how I earned a name for myself, and trust me when I say you're different I mean it.
- I won't believe you.
- It's your problem. Then. I answered your question, so shall we continue with mine? – Vlad tried again. If he was honest to himself even if the witch did answer his questions the time won't be enough for all of them.
Erzsébet sat in silence, not looking up.
- So why do you think you witches were created?
- I don't know.
- Okay… Do you think that everyone would be able to learn how to control magic?
- I don't know.
- Does everything on earth have magic in them?
- I don't know.
- Look this isn't funny. I thought you will answer seriously.
- I don't care. – she shifted in her seat, slowly turning back to the wall.
- Okay… you're grumpy because of what exactly?
- Just leave me alone.
- I'm curious. And serious.
- Good to you.
- Please. I will do anything just answer these normally.
- And if I really don't know anything?
- I won't believe that.
- Go ahead.
- Don't do this to me.
- What? You're a hunter, I'm a witch, natural enemies, I'm in this prison and these are my last hours. Tell me why should I entertain you instead of preparing for my only death?
- Because… maybe I can pick your side in the court?
- Like you would.
- I'm serious. If you answer these questions before the inquisitors arrive and we can talk properly I will defend you in the court.
- That's plain stupid and ridiculous and you know it.
- Maybe I'm a mad man. Considered it.
- Why are you this desperate?
- Because I want to know. – she turned back to him.
- What? That how does a witch think? How do I feel? Or you just want to expand your little knowledge so you can answer correctly on the next little test the king gives you. – The hunter couldn't answer. – If you sincerely interested in my thoughts and my view of things prove it.
- How do I do that?
- If you get out of this prison before the inquisitors arrive, - her eyes bore into his and he could feel the air, and his heart froze instantly – kill me.
A.N. Thank you for reading, anything you might want to say is welcomed, don't hold it back :)
Have a nice and wonderful day and of course an eventful carnival time :)