Shepard sat at the table, drinking some leftovers of Lambert's home brew as the crew of the Normandy mingled with different people of the new world they'd arrived to. Yennefer conversed with Miranda and Ashley as they all giggled away. Triss and James were in a corner, possibly flirting, as James flexed his muscles and Triss stroked his chest. Eskel and Lambert practiced swordplay with Javik. Liara was with Vesemir and Geralt, all of them hovering over a table, pointing at a map of Kaer Morhen. Tali and Traynor helped Keira with her hair and makeup, and Garrus was sharpening weapons with Zoltan. Ciri sat across from Shepard, joining her at the table.

"I haven't gotten the chance to meet you personally. Though, Geralt's told me quite a bit about you."

"What do you want to know?"

"For one, I'd like to know how you went from getting here to agreeing to fight the hunt."

Shepard sat her drink down.

"It's… a long story. A lot of it has to do with you."

"With me? But—"

"See, I came looking for an ashen haired girl with mysterious voodoo powers that could activate some piece of shit machine to save all of the Milky Way galaxy. But—"

"So once this is all done with you expect me to just go back to your world with you, a stranger I've never met before, and risk my life to save people I've never met? It's about my powers again, always!"

"Calm down, you didn't let me finish." Shepard suddenly gained a sullen expression. "I'm not going back."

"You're not? Why?"

"Sitting here drinking and all got me thinking, what's the point, really? I'm no hero, or god, or savior of people, or any of that. Besides, we've been here so long who's to say the reapers haven't already won? I just don't care about it anymore."

"But, your people—"

"They can all suck it." As she uttered the words, her face suddenly began to singe with pain. She winced.

"Your face! What's happened to it?"

"Don't worry about it. It just means I made a bad decision. It happens all the time."

Avallac'h approached Shepard and Ciri at the table.

"Zirael, may I have a word alone with the Commander?"

She nodded and walked away. He took her seat at the table across from Shepard.

"Commander Jane Shepard, is it?"

"Yeah, what do you want?"

"Excuse me, I just happened to be eavesdropping in on your conversation with Zirael. We have been to many worlds together, including the one of which you previously inhabited."

"What of it?"

"When we arrived, it was no doubt that I'd heard people singing the praises of the great Commander Shepard, and others who deemed you a sellout and a traitor for working with a three-headed dog."

"You mean Cerberus? It's an organization, not an actual animal."

"Excuse me, for I was not there long enough to learn that sort of thing. As I saw it, you seem to be a beacon of hope for your people, regardless of what they think of you. Yet, I have seen worlds like yours. Worlds decimated by what your people refer to as 'Reapers'. Regardless of whether your people make it or not, which I believe they are doomed to fail, you must defeat them, as to not allow it to happen to anyone else."

"You heard the girl, she said she didn't want to go. Besides, why should I care? They only wipe out all intelligent species every fifty thousand years. I'd be dead by then, anyway."

"But what about your children? And your children's children? I have spoken to the thing you call 'Liara'. She says that her species lives up to a thousand years. You feel for her, do you not?"

"Sure. What does that matter?"

"I have visited a world like yours that thrives yet. Although your world may be doomed, there is still hope for your future generations. Fifty generations of Shepard lost to the Reapers. Is that a future you want?"

She sighed. "No, I guess not."

"Then you must defeat them. And if your will demands it, you shall. As far as Zirael, she does many things she does not want, but not without convincing. You must get her to trust you."

She swirled her drink. "I'll keep that in mind."

As soon as she'd finished her sentence, Liara approached them with an angry face.

"Excuse me, I must return to my rest." Avallac'h left the table.

"Shepard, we could be going to battle at any moment. Do you really think it's a good idea to be drinking?"

"That's actually exactly why I'm drinking." She chugged what was left in the mug while looking Liara straight in the face. "Ahhh. Refreshing."

"They're starting the meeting now. Gather with everyone else, and try to look interested."

"Can do!"

Everyone gathered around the table, staring at Shepard as she snored. Liara kicked the back of her chair.

"REEEAAPEER—Oh. Uh, excuse me, everyone. Was I asleep?"

"Yes," they all spouted in unison.

"I apologize. It won't happen again."

"Right." Geralt stood at the head of the table. "The Wild Hunt'll be here soon. They're coming for Ciri, wanna take her."

"How do you know the Hunt'll show," Lambert asked.

"They always know where I teleport to, and they move from place to place in an instant."

"So, what's our plan?"

Shepard popped up and threw her hands in the air. "A plan! That's my specialty! Hold on a second."

Shepard disappeared into the next room.

"Where's she going?"

"You'll see," Miranda answered in an irritated fashion.

Shepard returned, equipped with a chalkboard and a piece of chalk, which she used to push Geralt out of the way. The chalkboard had a picture of the layout of Kaer Morhen. "We are here." She placed an X on the board. "And when they get here they'll be here. What we need to start out is a barrier around the fort. We have three biotics, and three sorceresses. Yennefer and Miranda will hold a barrier of some sort around the fortress and they'll position themselves here." She placed a Y and an M on the board. "Liara, you'll be with Triss here using magic and doing some biotic stuff here." She marked an L and a T. "Keira and Javik, you two will be here and here protecting the gate." She marked a J and a K. "How do the Wild Hunt get here exactly?"

"They get here by arriving through open portals," Yennefer answered.

"And how do we close them?"

"Either Yrden or Dimeritium bombs," Lambert informed.

"Then that means we'll need at least one Witcher and someone with a pretty good throwing arm. Geralt, Lambert, you two can go and…"

"Aye, Commander. No one's got a better throwing arm than me. I throw grenades all day, amigo." James made a motion as if he were throwing a football.

"Good. Geralt, Lambert, and James. You'll all be going out into the forest and closing the portals, stopping any more of them from getting here." They all nodded.

"I'll also give you all amulets," Yennefer started. "Snap them in half and you'll become invisible, at least while you remain still or move slowly. Move abruptly, engage any foes, clash with them, and they will see you. Apart from that, they will also be able to hear and smell you. If you come across a large unit, do not attack. Signal Triss, and she will provide support."

I'll look for your signal. Soon as I see it, I'll rain fire on the forest."

"Don't forget that Ciri is most important in all of this," Geralt interrupted. "The Hunt's after her, and we have to defend her at all costs."

"Out of the question, I can look after myself!"

"Yeah, Geralt. Out of the question! I had her laid out in my plan and everything!"

"And where did you have her in your plan?"

"She was supposed to be fending for herself at the gates with everyone else. But—"

"But, what," Ciri interrogated.

"Geralt is right. You should stay in here. If worse comes to worst, there's no doubt you'll be jumping in. You can stay in here with Traynor and play chess or something. Just make sure to keep yourself from dying."

"Pff. Fine."

Shepard wiped the sweat off of her forehead. "Any other pressing concerns?"

Everyone shook their heads. "Good. Then off to battle. Everyone, get to preparing. I'll be here if you need me."


Shepard was with Lambert making Dimeritium bombs as they made conversation about the meeting.

"You know, watching you up there making those battle plans was really something else. Ever since I met you you've been drunk off your ass. Never thought there was actually a brain in that head of yours."

"Oh, I'm just full of surprises," Shepard responded sarcastically. Yennefer ran up to them, seemingly in a hurry.

"Have any of you seen Ciri?"

"Ciri? She said she was going upstairs with Traynor to play chess. Something about easing tension before battle."

Shepard's face looked surprised.

"What is it?"

"When I made the comment about Ciri and Traynor playing chess I was just joking. I didn't want them to actually do that."

"Somehow, I get the feeling that it was a euphemism."

"Yes, it was."

Miranda and Ashley followed behind Yennefer.

"Did you find her?"

"Apparently she went upstairs with Traynor to play chess."

"Oh no."

"She didn't. Did she really?"

"What are you all on about?"

Shepard took a deep breath and closed her eyes. "Your little girl is probably a woman now."

"What?! She better not have—"

"It could be worse. That could be me in there. And trust me, I'm much more aggressive."

"We've all fallen for that trick once… or twice." Miranda looked at her feet in embarrassment. "We all know how Traynor is."

Yennefer grew red with fury.

"Calm down, Yennefer. It'll be alright. Ciri is in good hands."

"Yeah she is!" Ashley and Miranda high fived.

"Guys, come on. She's all mad and stuff. Take all your anger and put it toward The Hunt. You can deal with Ciri and Traynor after."

"Fine!" She strutted away.

"I'm going to pretend I didn't hear any of that conversation." Lambert went back to making bombs.

"She should just be happy you don't have showers."


By the time the battle was ready to begin, everyone was getting into place. The Wild Hunt ship appeared over the horizon and Yennefer and Miranda set up a barrier around Kaer Morhen. Meanwhile, Geralt, Lambert, and James pranced about the forest looking to close Wild Hunt portals.

"These medallions the sorceress lady cooked up are really somethin' else. Wish I had one of these while I was back in high school. Couple of places where being invisible woulda come in handy if you know what I mean."

Not getting what he meant at all, Geralt and Lambert rolled their eyes at each other.

"Wait. Over there. A portal."

"Hand me a bomb and get ready for the gun show." James took the bomb and aimed using one hand, then threw it, landing right on the portal. "That's what I'm talkin about," he whispered.

They closed another one with no problem at all, but when they reached the third, they were sniffed out by a Wild Hunt hound causing the invisibility to wear off.

"Shit, what do we do now?"

"We'll have to fight them off while we wait for Triss to respond to the signal."

"I'm no good with a sword, but I'm pretty damn good with my fists. Let's go!"

Geralt and Lambert pulled out their silver swords while James went headfirst into battle bearing nothing but his fists. Surprisingly enough, it was a pretty effective form of combat. He killed three hounds by punching them to death, and ran up to an actual Wild Hunt warrior, pulled off his helmet, and punched him in the face, then took his blade and stabbed him in the eye.

"Geralt, what's going on? Merigold hasn't responded to the signal!"

"Don't know. Just we'll just have to fend them off while we wait."

Ciri appeared on the wall, seemingly out of nowhere, with her sword, sweaty and with her pants oddly set on her hips as if she'd rushed to put them on.

"I'm going to help Triss."

"You heard the order," Vesemir reminded her. "You were told to stay inside."

"No. I'm not going to sit idly by while you all risk your lives for me."

"Fine. Go help Triss."

She flew through the Hunt warriors, cutting them down as she made her way to Triss' location. When she wasn't paying attention, one of them was just about to stab her, when Zoltan came out of nowhere and jabbed his dagger into its back. They fell off the top of the tower and landed next to Garrus, who was just standing there looking out into the forest.

"Duvelsheiss," he uttered, as he spat on the fallen Hunt warrior.

"I should really be participating in this," Garrus noted, making his way to the front gate.

Once Ciri had made her way to Triss, Liara was standing next to her with a ball of biotic power ready in one hand.

"Ready?"

"Ready."


"Come on, pendejo. You and me, mano y mano!"

Just as the Wild Hunt warrior was making his way to James, sword in hand, Lambert pulled him and Geralt into a Quen as Triss and Liara rained fire and biotics all over the forest, burning and shocking all of the Hunt. Once the attack had subsided, they all got on horses, riding toward Kaer Morhen's front gate.

"I'm pretty shit at riding a horse, so let's hope I make it," James said as he struggled to keep up with Geralt and Lambert.

Once they'd all made it to the front, they dismounted their horses and were greeted by Vesemir who was posted on the wall.

"Large detachment approaching from the woods! We need to close the gate before they get inside!"

"On it," Shepard called, as she was leaning next to the lever that controlled the gate, eating an apple.

"Ladd nahw," Imlerith wailed as he began banging on the gate with a mace.

Lambert, who was suddenly isolated from everyone else, struggled against a group of Hunt warriors.

"Help! I need—"

Suddenly they were all lifted into the air and tossed over the wall. Javik, who was standing next to Keira, held an angry expression. "You need to pay attention, human!"

She scoffed.

"Thanks, man! That was really something."

Javik didn't respond, shaking his head.

"We have to pull back! The sorceress' strength is waning!"

As Geralt headed to the gate, Vesemir hit a lever with a hammer, causing the gate, as well as a few stones, to crush a few Hunt warriors. "Fall back! Through the gate! Into the courtyard!"

Noticing that the gate that Eskel was supposed to open was closed, Geralt decided to help Triss.

"Thanks for your help, things were looking shaky!" She looked up to Ciri who was posted on the wall. "What up with Eskel!"

"He's in trouble! I'm going to help him!"

"Remember the stone I gave you!"

She nodded and went on to help Eskel. When she found him, he in a fight with Caranthir, an Wild Hunt officer, who had seemingly knocked him down and set off to finish him. She engaged him in combat, blocking and dodging his blows. He then vanished, leaving her and Eskel to contend with the warriors. Once they were defeated, they headed off to join the rest of the crew, passing an unharmed Lil' Bleater as the went.

"You should've stayed in the keep, sat your ass down like you were supposed to."

"Then who would've saved yours?"

Ciri arrived at the lever that opened the gate and let everyone in.

"Eskel's opened the gate! We can retreat beyond it!" They all followed Vesemir into the courtyard, Geralt noticing that Ciri was there as well.

"You were supposed to wait!"

"Too late now!"

They forged ahead, closing Wild Hunt portals and fighting warriors, yet Yennefer and Miranda were exhausted from exerting so much energy and collapsed in unison, allowing the gates to open, and white frost to freeze a majority of the crew. Eredin crept in along with his hounds, as Vesemir provided protection for the wounded Ciri, attempting to drag her off to safety.

"But—we must…. Geralt, where is he?"

Eredin grabbed Ciri by her hair and dragged her toward him as Vesemir was left to fight Imlerith.

"You shan't escape me this time."

As he attempted to drag her into a portal, Vesemir knocked her out of his hands and pushed her away with an Aard. Imlerith knocked him down and stepped on his wrist.

"Hey," they all heard someone shout, looking up to see Shepard with a weapon in her hand they hadn't seen before. "Enough is enough! Drop the girl and I'll let you go!"

"And if we don't?"

Shepard pulled the trigger of the machine pistol, firing off a few shots in their direction, causing them all to duck.

"Trust me, there's a lot more where that came from! Let the old man go!"

Imlerith smashed his foot into Vesemir's wrist even tougher than before.

"That's it!"

She began firing off shots in full automatic mode, causing some of the Hunt to retreat into a portal while Imlerith and Eredin covered their heads. Soon enough, she was all out of bullets.

"Shit. I knew I should've brought more than one clip."

Ciri pulled out her sword as Imlerith continued to beat Vesemir.

"Imlerith." Eredin raised his hand to stop him. Imlerith picked up Vesemir and smashed him into a wall.

"Run!"

"She'll not abandon you. You humans… are so impractical." He stretched out his hand for Ciri to grab willingly.

"Ciri, no!"

"Aargh, I forbid you!"

"Ciri, don't do it! Don't do anything I wouldn't do!"

She dropped her sword.

"That's not what I meant!"

She walked slowly toward Eredin.

"You always were an unruly child. I liked that about you." Vesemir jabbed his dagger into Imlerith. "Now fly!"

Imlerith cracked his neck and dropped him. He was dead.

"Noooooooooooooooooooooo!"

Eredin put his mask back on, then waved his hand allowing his warriors to approach to obtain Ciri.

"Ciri! Don't—"

The world seemingly slowed around her, Vesemir's dead body, the Hunt, Shepard dashing toward her with an empty machine pistol in hand, then nothing….

A high-pitched scream rang across all of Kaer Morhen as Ciri allowed her power to take full control. Shepard was blown back into a wall and knocked out from the blow. The shafts shook, the Hunt covered their ears, blood flowed from Eskel's ears as he was frozen in time.

Eredin attempted to reach for her, but was pulled back into a portal.

The release didn't stop until Avallac'h was awoken.

"Gvaed, gvaed uncym, cym'morth," he chanted from the balcony, causing the eruption to fade as Ciri fainted.