The Witcher: Through the Worlds

Chapter 82: Return to Lofeton

Narrator: After arriving in Skellige for their final battle against the Wild Hunt, Dominik and Ciri first took the day to recuperate from their many battles. The two spent the night together, before waking up the next morning, both with final plans and preparations that they needed to complete before the final battle commenced. Dominik had plans to try and make contact with his younger sister Bella, who had been brainwashed by Eredin and the Wild Hunt, turning the young woman into Baelen, their most deadly commander. Ciri, first wanted to go to the elven sage Avallach's secret base on Skellige. Ciri knew from the beginning of her travels with the sage, that he was hiding secrets from her, plans that involved her, so she and Dominik set out with Geralt and Yennefer to figure out what they were. Upon arriving at the lab, they discovered Avallac'h, had tracked both Dominik and Ciri's genetic line for centuries, with plans to use Ciri's blood to create a purely elven genetic mix with Ciri's blood and powers… to recreate Lara Dorren. After her anger got the best of her, Ciri nearly killed a concubine of the sage, but with some help from Geralt and Dominik she was able to control her anger, and after venting their rage, the four all left the elf's base. Ciri had one more request, to head back to the village of Lofeton on Hindersfjall, to visit the grave of the man Sjkall, and the rest of the villagers who helped her to health…

Lofeton still hadn't recovered, and it only made Dominik feel even worse about being back. He tried to hide his face as he followed between Geralt and Ciri deeper into the village, still seeing the great oak ripped up off the ground, incased in ice that still hadn't defrosted. The destruction Kilgarrah and Bella had brought with the Hunt would take months to recover from. He saw some promising signs with more people than the previous time he was there, and nobody seemed to notice or recognize him which he was thankful for. However, he also could still see the giant black scorch mark near in the middle of town, covering a large spot of land.

Ciri and Bella had fought there, Bella had almost killed her, Ciri had almost killed Bella.

"Bella… I had never seen anything like her… nobody as powerful," Ciri said with a shudder, as the sun casted orange rays of light over the scored earth.

Geralt nodded in agreement, looking at the scorch mark. "Takes some serious magic to do that…. How the hell does Eredin and Caranthir know how to teach her."

Dominik sighed and looked at them both. "Well it's magic… and we know now that Bella and I are apparently part elf, Aen Elle at that… our magic probably isn't that different."

"You may be right… it explains why I've been able to help you," Ciri said, looking up at him with a grim look on her face.

"Kind of the same yes… you know, I just don't get the teleporting at will, and being able to travel between dimensions part, that would be pretty useful," He said, a small smile coming to her face.

She scoffed a laugh, and seeing her smile made him feel better about being there. He was there with her now; he had gotten what he had been looking for the last time he was there. He forced himself to look away from the black scorched earth, as he saw Geralt gesture for them to follow, as they made their way towards the west of the village, where they had seen the graveyard the last time. With every step, every bit of ice he saw covering the buildings, Dominik shook, thinking of Bella, commanding riders, fighting Ciri, riding on Kilgarrah's back.

His sister had caused all of this destruction and devastation. He thought about her when she was younger, how happy, smiling, unwilling to let even a rabbit they found injured in the woods suffer. One time the two of them had been in the woods when they were younger, they found a rabbit caught in a snare. Dominik despite only being eleven, knew the creature was gone for, however, Bella insisted that they free it, and nurse it back to health. He had tried to talk her out of it, but Bella had freed it from the trap, and it was safe to say their mother wasn't too happy about the new pet rabbit they had for a few days.

However, Bella cared for the animal for a whole week, nursing it back to health before she drug Dominik along to release it back into the wild. Bella didn't give up on people, she didn't destroy people, bring them down, she helped people, she wanted the best for everyone she came across. She had truly been one of the lights of his life, his little sister.

And now she was a woman, a grown woman who had a lover at one point, long flowing brown hair, bright green eyes like their mother. That girl who was insistent Dominik help her nurse the rabbit back to health wasn't gone. The girl who teased him by singing, 'Dominik's in love with the princess', every night before they went to bed wasn't gone. His little sister wasn't gone, the young girl who had called Ciri 'big sister', wasn't gone, and he knew it for a fact. He didn't know still if he could face her, draw his blade and swing it towards her, knowing that it would be Bella on the receiving end of the stroke, but one way or another, he was going to make sure she survived.

You never gave up on your family, that was what Alexander had told him. Dominik didn't care if Bella helped him fight afterwards, he didn't care if she wanted nothing to do with him afterwards. All he knew, was that Eredin planned on killing her, someone was going to try and hurt his little sister, and it so happens that same person was also trying to kill the woman he loved.

It wouldn't be like Cintra again, never again. He wouldn't leave her like he did then. If he remembered the night of Cintra now, remembered the exact details, he could see it. Cahir's arrow had hit Bella in the shoulder, and knocked her head back, smashing the back of it against the stone ground, knocking her out cold. She had been alive, alive there next to their mother's corpse, and Dominik hadn't even checked on her body, he ran, ran away as Cahir chased him through the streets, All the meanwhile, Bella laid festering, alive amidst the corpses of their friends and neighbors, who had called her 'Gregory and Sofia's little girl', the ones who sold her flowers, let her help tend their gardens and watch after their pets or young children.

Yes, everyone that knew Bella had loved her, and Dominik left her there. He wouldn't do it again; he wasn't going to make that same mistake. Baelen, had been the one to destroy Lofeton, almost kill Ciri and help attack Kaer Morhen. That wasn't Bella, Baelen had taken over his sister's body, and he was going to get his real sister back. If his plan worked, then he would have a better chance of that, however, first he needed to make sure everything was alright for Ciri.

Seeing all the fresh mounds of dirt, the new gravestones hadn't helped his mood any, because he knew if he had figured out about Bella earlier, then they wouldn't be there.

He stiffened as the three of them stopped in front of the graveyard, and apparently his worry must have shown in his face, because he felt Ciri's gloved hand slip into his. He jumped at first but looked down at her, she looked up, and seeing the reassuring smile, her beautiful eyes looking back up at him, it did wonders to calm him, at least a bit.

The three of them strode threw the village quickly, not wanting to draw too much attention to themselves. He was sure the villagers had recognized him, and perhaps some recognized Ciri as well, however, he wished to be away more from the prying eyes as he sauntered on next to Ciri heading towards the graveyard.

The graveyard now with dozens upon dozens of new fresh new mounds of earthy soil. He never thought he would, but Dominik wished with everything he had that he had been there on a contract, perhaps hunting a grave hag, ghoul or rotfiend.

"It shouldn't take long… it will be a relatively fresh mound," Ciri said, taking a slight step ahead of Geralt and he. "I do hope we find it fast… I detest graveyards."

Geralt, who never failed to put a smile on their face when Ciri and he both were upset chuckled.

"Ha… you know you may have to get used to it, witchers work brings you to graveyards a lot," He said, looking over to Dominik. "Bet Dom can vouch for that too."

He scoffed. "Ha… you can say that again, never a shortage of work in graveyards."

"I'd give anything to be here for that… to be doing some witchers work," Ciri said, looking over and meeting Dominik's eyes, her lips pressed together.

A small smile crossed Dominik's face. "Don't too eager princess, graveyards have some of the worst contracts. Ghouls, rotfiends, crazy necromancers in some cases, makes you smell the worst too."

"You smell horrible most the time," She said, the slightest form of a smile tugging at her lips.

He rolled his eyes and looked to Geralt. "Geralt please tell Ciri that on the Path, the smell if something you'll have to learn to live with."

"I would if it was true, you just don't like to bathe," Geralt said, crossing his arms with a similar smirk to Ciri's.

Ciri laughed, and hearing it helped him easily shake of the insult. Smiling he met her eyes and scoffed.

"You think I smell bad now, you should have seen the time I was covered in selkimore guts about three years ago," He said, shuddering at the memory. "Had to bathe three times a day for a week."

Geralt scoffed and looked down at him, a prideful look on his face. "You killed a selkimore?"

He nodded. "Yeah, got paid enough I didn't need another contract for a month after that."

"A selkimore? Gods Dominik those things are huge," Ciri said.

Dominik shrugged. "Couple bombs down the throat did the trick. Should've seen, had to head out onto the lake in a dank skiff, certainly didn't make it easy for me."

"Was it terrorizing people? Selkimore normally only eat plankton," Geralt said.

"I don't think it was intentional, but it had knocked over and destroyed a few boats, killed a few villagers in the process," He explained, looking over at the graveyard and shuddering. "Morale of the story… there's a lot worse smelling things then a graveyard."

The smile finally curled at the corner of Ciri's lips. "I hope you don't expect me to bathe you when we're on the road."

"Not unless you want too, we can bathe each other you know," He said, winking at her, making Geralt groan and Ciri roll her eyes.

"You're incorrigible you stupid boy," She said, but Dominik saw her smile again, her cheeks turning pink.

Geralt groaned again next to him. "Do you two really have to talk about all of that?"

Dominik rolled his eyes. "We're 22 Geralt."

"To be quite honest, you've known we were gonna be fucking one day since you met us, so I don't understand why it bothers you so much hearing about it. Dominik and I have sex now Geralt, just in case you weren't aware" Ciri started, making Dominik scoff a laugh before Geralt quite literally plugged his ears with his fingers.

"Okay, okay enough, let's look for the grave," He grumbled, walking past them towards the new mounds of fresh soil.

Ciri and he watched him pass them, and when she looked up at him he winked at her. A small scoffing laugh escaped her, she reached out and trailed her hand down his arm, the smile staying on her face as she looked at him.

"Thank you for this… I know it can't be easy being back here…" She said.

He placed his hand over hers, interlacing their fingers. "Gonna have to face what I did… make up for it. I'm a lot different of a person then I was a few weeks ago."

"No you're not," She said, reaching up to hug him, nuzzling her cheek against his and burying her face into the crook of his neck. "You're good now, and you were good then… it's just who you are."

"Ciri…" He said, his heart churning as she pulled back from him. "I threatened to make what the Hunt did look like nothing at all…told your friend, while he was writhing in pain, brought back to life… that I'd throw him to the drowners if he didn't say where you went…that doesn't seem very good to me."

She shook her head. "And the fact that you know you were wrong, that what you did wasn't right, is exactly the reason why you're good. Dominik… you're the greatest man I know, you are good, and I'm proud to be with you every single day."

Her words started stirring him, that warm, beautiful feeling that normally washed over him when she spoke. Ciri thought he was good, Ciri loved him, Ciri was proud to be with him, that was all that he needed. He met her gaze, her eyes shining as he pulled her into hug again, his arms wrapping around her slim waist, his face buried into her neck.

"I love you…" He said, his voice muffled into her neck.

She pulled his head off her shoulder, and pulled him into a long, deep kiss, the tingling washing over him. He trailed his hands down her arms as she kissed him there, exploring every nape of her back, trying to grip her with everything he had. Despite the cold chill from the wind blowing by at the current sunset, he was warm in her embrace then. She pulled her lips from his, smiling as she squeezed him one last time, meeting his eyes as she stepped back from him.

"I love you too… and I simply can't wait to get covered in selkimore guts with you," She said cheekily.

He scoffed and nodded, the smile curling at the corner of his lips. "Think you could pull the look off. Now come on, let's-."

"Dom, Ciri, over here," Geralt called to them, cutting him off as he and Ciri turned.

Ciri and he both looked over to their adopted father, standing in the center of the graveyard beckoning for them to join him. They both quickly made their way across the graveyard, stepping over and around the mounds of dirt and gravestones. Ciri jogged up ahead of him, getting to Geralt's side ahead of him.

"What is it!?" She asked, her voice almost growing frantic.

Geralt's lips pursed. "Ciri… I can't find any grave for Sjkall…"

"What!? What do you mean, how could there be no grave?" She said, turning and examining each of the gravestones.

As she did, he met Geralt's eyes and saw a knowing look in his father's eyes. Dominik mentally slapped himself, his stomach churning as he remembered the young man's fate. He hadn't even learned Sjkall's name from the villagers, he had learned it from the young mans reanimated corpse.

Dominik had only known him as Craven.

"DAMMIT!" Ciri cursed, turning and rushing back to them. "You're right, I can't find one. He has no grave! I shan't leave until we bury him, what did they do with his body after the garden!?"

He bit the inside of his cheek and shared a look with Geralt. Geralt nodded to him, and Dominik sighed, knowing that he would be better off giving the news to her instead of him in that moment, because Dominik himself was shaking at well, his tongue stuck between his teeth as his arms shook.

Geralt met Ciri's eyes and shook his head. "They didn't burn it… they only save that honor for kings and heroes, ones who died in battle."

"They… think he ran from the Hunt when they came," Dominik said slowly, as Ciri's outers hell slowly began to break.

She fiercely shook her head. "What!? That's not what happened at all, he led them away, we led them away when they were chasing me!"

"We know that… but the villagers don't," Geralt said, sighing as he shook his head. "They didn't burn his body… and I doubt they left him in the garden."

A flash of realization came to Ciri's eyes. "Those bastards!"

"What is it?" Dominik said right away.

She shakily sighed and looked at them. "Beyond the village- there's a pit. They fill it with sheep taken by blackleg. Crabs and drowners pick at their bones at night…"

Dominik and Geralt both barely had time to say anything before Ciri rushed passed them, bursting out into a jog with her back to them. Geralt looked at him and slowly nodded. Dominik's gut turned; his heart racing as tears nearly stung his eyes. He turned back and darted off after Ciri.

He wouldn't let the man be thrown and picked apart by drowners.

XxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxX

Ciri he knew had spent time on Hindersfjall, and in the village in particular when she was younger, telling him Hjalmar and she used to frequent the spot to go swimming, so he trusted following her. They had to loop back around the village, more of the villagers seeming to notice them, with all three of them moving at such a brisk pace. However, just like Ciri he ignored them all, following her until she came to a stop at the pit, just a ways down from a beautiful cliff, a single tree overlooking the ocean. Under different circumstances, he would have been thrilled to be in that spot with Ciri, a romantic view on a beautiful now moonlit night, her in his arms, the two of them resting on the cliff and enjoying the Skellige air, the fresh smell of the ocean.

The only smell that hit him then, however, was one he had become accustom too over the years. Decomposing corpses, the stench of death, rot and decay.

"Gods…" Ciri croaked, looking down into the pit with Geralt and he.

Dominik had become accustom to the smell through the years, but Ciri clearly wasn't. She gagged as they all looked down into the pit. Sure enough Sjkall's body was there, the man's bright yellow and blue trousers still recognizable, the marks on his throat from where Yennefer had seemingly choked him with her spell was there, along with multiple claw and teeth marks from drowners and crabs. Flies buzzed around the corpse, the very sight making his stomach turn even more, as he remembered his threat to the young man when he was wreathing in agony.

Ciri finally turned to them. "Dom, Geralt, we need to-."

But Dominik didn't wait for her to finish, sucking in a breath, he trudged down the slope his boots were already so caked with mud that he almost slipped, however he kept his course. Behind him he heard what he assumed were Ciri and Geralt's boots sloshing along behind him. Dominik however, reached the body first, his eyes stinging as he right away reached down for the corpse, gripping up under Sjkall's large limp shoulders.

"I got you.. I got you…" He said, muttering to himself quietly, willing himself not to cry.

"Dom, here let me get-." Geralt started, but Dominik cut him off with a glare.

"I got it Geralt!" He hissed, yanking on the young man's shoulders.

He looked and saw Ciri staring wide eyed at him for a moment, as the corpses of sheep and a dead drowner collapsed as he managed to pull the body off them. Mud sprayed onto his face, the smell of decay and rot that was setting in assaulting his nose with new fury. He had been so focused making sure to pull Skjall up, that he forgot to hold his breath. And while he was accustomed to the stench of death, knowing what he had done to the man below him weakened his nerves, and he gagged, dropping the body into the mud as he coughed.

Ciri came up next to him. "Dom… please let us-."

"NO!" He yelled out, breathing heavily between coughs, as he readjusted himself behind Skjall's shoulders. "I said, I got it!"

"Dominik, stop right now!" Ciri said, her voice harder than normal as she tried to grab his arm.

For what he believed could be the first time in his life, he didn't invite her touch. He slithered out of her grasp and shook his head.

"I have to do this," He said, feeling his voice crack, as the young man's pained cries rang through his head. "I have to do this…"

"He was my friend, he saved me… Dominik…" Ciri said softly, but he ignored her again, reaching under Sjkall's shoulders and pulling again.

What had happened in Lofeton was going to haunt him for the rest of his days. The man below him saved Ciri's life, was a friend even if for a short time. He had said before that he would be eternally grateful to anyone who helped Ciri, but he hadn't kept true to those words. His own violent screams, his threats, the anger that had pulsed through him the last time he saw the young man below him had all come smashing into his head. Goosebumps trailed up his arms from the cold wind, as his boots finally slipped and he lost his foot, falling on his ass into the mud behind him.

"FUCK!" He said, trying to get back to his feet to drag the body back up the slope.

His head was so focused on his task, he didn't see Geralt come up next to him. He felt a firm hand grip his shoulder, and Geralt's rough voice hit his ears, speaking softly and reassuringly.

"Dom… it's okay, let us help," He said, half asking, half telling.

Dominik knew it would be useless fighting in Geralt's iron grip, so he shakily sighed and nodded. Ciri gave him a gentle smile, rushing to Skjall's feet and lifting them off the ground. Geralt moved from Dominik's side and got to one of the young man's shoulders, Dominik going to the other. Together, the three of them hoisted the body into the air and digging his feet into the muddy slope of the pit, he shuffled backwards with Geralt next to him, flies buzzing near their noses even after they finally got to the ground above, onto flat ground.

As soon as they did, they carefully laid Skjall out under the light of the moon.

Cold air filled his lungs as Dominik fell to his knees near the man's shoulders, Ciri quickly coming to his side. Geralt took a step back, seeming to be examining sites for a grave. He saw his gaze dart towards the top of the hill overlooking the sea, but quickly again his own gaze went down the body below him. His fists balled, his eyes stinging, he had seen corpses before, corpses of people he loved, people he cared about. He had seen them mauled, ripped to shreds, limbs dangling, faces unrecognizable, sometimes all he could find a person he was looking for, their family members, their lovers, was single severed limb, or no corpse at all.

Those contracts were always the worst. He had seen death, plenty of it, more in his twenty-two years, then most men saw in a lifetime.

But never had he disrespected the dead, especially ones who had been kind and good. He didn't wish to become like the truly monstrous men he had encountered, but in that moment his skin prickled, a well of anxiety and guilt spilled over in his gut, and he shed tears, his eyes unable to leave the young man's body before him. The young man, who had helped the woman he loved, who she wouldn't be alive without, the one who he had treated as expendable.

"I'm sorry… gods… gods I'm so… so sorry," He said, Geralt slowly turning to face him, feeling Ciri's arm wrap around his waist, and she melted into him.

"You did what you had too… you're good… Dominik you're good…" She said, a sob escaping her as she buried her head into him. "This… this is my fault… if he hadn't met me… if all those people hadn't been around me… if I hadn't been here…"

He pulled her close, the scent of her hair replacing the smell of rot in his nose. It had been years since they were like they were then, both sitting there, crying into each other's arms. Neither of them knew what to say to make the other feel better, so he simply relished having her there with him, wrapping his arms around her, one of his hands twirling through her ashen locks as she sobbed, and he sobbed into her.

Everything, everything since the moment they had gone on the run had been hard, dangerous, for not just them but others. He knew how she felt, she had been feeling the same way for years. It started with Geralt's friends at Stygga Castle and continued up until that very moment. People dying because others wanted her, wanted to use her, were willing to kill to get their hands on her. And in an effort to protect her, he had slowly almost lost himself, and it was still happening now, lingering thoughts in his mind, betraying the person who he truly was. A small place in the back of his head had been occupied with one thought for days, days upon days, eating at him, gnawing at him.,

He would have to fight his sister again, fight Bella again, his little sister. And that part of his brain, that gnawing part of his brain kept flooding with one thought, washing over him like a cold, wet sheet.

He would have to kill his sister to keep Ciri safe if he failed, if he failed to convince her, to make her see reason, remember the person that she truly was… he'd have to kill her, kill her to not only protect Ciri, but the entire continent, that entire world. He would have to do it, do it if he failed again. The both of them in that moment, seemed to cry tears that had been years in the making. Skjall was the tipping point, sending them over the edge, finally after so many years, all of their troubles were finally spilling over.

Gripping his one hand around her waist, his other held onto the back of her hair, his head burying into her head of ashen locks, as they sat on their knees crying then in front of that body. And he could tell, that the tears weren't only for Skjall, but for everyone that they had lost along the way for them to get to that point, from the time they were eleven-years-old, and all the way up until that very second, every face flashed in his mind. His father, his mother, Queen Calanthe, Bella, Geralt's friends from Stygga Castle, Declan, Arno, every single person who had died to get them to that point, that was what they were crying for then.

"It's all right… it's all gonna be alright," Geralt said softly, his armor clunking, as he fell to his knees behind them, wrapping his larger arms around them both like they were children again.

Ciri sobbed, burying herself deeper into the crook of his neck, her salty tears falling down his neck. Dominik shakily sighed, holding onto Ciri and leaning his head into Geralt as well. He knew their adopted father was trying to reassure them, but Dominik truly didn't know if what he said was true. He didn't know if everything would be alright, if what happened was even truly he and Ciri's fault.

But he did know one thing, that even if he and Ciri were at fault, there was one who was the cause of all this misery, the strife, the pain in their lives the last few years.

And that one, had been the one to put a scar on his face, and have him seconds away from death.

"I can't do it Geralt… I can't… gods I can't…. I can't beat him… I can't… I could never save anyone, how… how am I supposed to beat him… save Bella… gods…" He sobbed, Ciri cries growing louder in his chest.

Geralt's hand ran through Dominik's brown curls, looking down at him, intently meeting his emerald eyes, with his yellow cat ones.

"You don't have to do it alone… you are strong enough… you are… you both are…" He said, squeezing onto he and Ciri both.

Dominik shook his head, his face wet with the tears that had been years in the making.

"He almost killed me… gods I… I was dead," Dominik said, looking and meeting Geralt's eyes intently again. "And… and Bella if… if I don't… if I don't…."

"You will… I know you will," Geralt said with a quick nod. "Like I always said… you're the two strongest people I know. I swear to you… this is going to be alright… all of it."

"I'm not a hero… I'm not even a real witcher… I couldn't save anyone; I've done horrible things…" He said, his head burying into the chest straps of Geralt's armor. "I'm scared… gods… gods Geralt I… I'm fucking scared… fucking horrified…"

"That's a good thing," Geralt said right away.

"How the bloody fuck is that a good thing!?" Dominik demanded.

Geralt looked down at him, just as Ciri slowly detached herself from him, wiping her tears with her gloved hands as Geralt looked down at them both. As they both sat there on their knees, their faces wet, their breathing shallow, Ciri interlaced her fingers with his, squeezing as Geralt reached out, placing a hand on both their outside shoulders, looking intently at them, over at Dominik first.

"It's a good thing because it means you're smart. Only a real fool wouldn't be scared at the situation you're in. You speak of not being a hero, not being a witcher, but do you want to know what the true definition of being a hero is? It's being someone, who puts the wellbeing of others, ahead of their own, that is what a hero is. You speak of not being a real witcher? Why? Because you don't have yellow eyes, because you stand get stabbed by a monster's claw and not be poisoned? No, you're a witcher, you're both witchers, and do you want to know why? Do you want to know why you're both witchers, and I'm prouder of you both, more confident in you both them you could ever imagine?

It's because you save people, you both save people. That's what witchers do, and you both know that. We protect people from monsters, both the ones who are ghoulish, and the ones that men create. The two of you, are good, you're witchers, you deserve the life you're going to get, but if you keep carrying around this anger, this sadness and regret, then you won't be able to get that. We are going to make, the one's responsible for this pay, and we're going to do it, because it's what's right, and what's good. I've walked this earth for over a hundred years, and never, have I seen two people who deserve life more then you both do… and neither of you have to do it alone. What have I told you both since the very moment I met you?"

The answer was on Dominik's tongue, he was about to say it, but Ciri took the words from his mouth, squeezing his hand and looking at him.

"That… if we stick together… we'll always be alright," She said slowly, the words sinking into him like quicksand.

He nodded himself, his gaze not leaving hers, as Geralt firmly nodded.

"Exactly… you both don't have to do this alone. Even if we're separated for a moment, we're always with each other… and we will finally get the rest that we deserve. Only when we reach our lowest point… are we able to access our greatest strength, do you understand? The two of you, have each other, through it all, you found each other… and now, you may think you're at your lowest point… but now… is when you'll be strongest. Fight for each other…and all will be alright… I promise," Geralt finished, his hands squeezing onto their shoulders.

Dominik's eyes shifted again from Geralt to Ciri, the one person who had made everything worth it. Only when we reach our lowest point… are we able to access our greatest strength.

So many times he had felt like he did then, ready to finally break, like it would all be not enough in the end. But each other those times, Ciri had been what made him realize, that the end wasn't in sight, that there was still hope. The previous few days he had been trying to stay strong, strong, confident and optimistic for her sake, when truly on the inside his emotions had been stirring and churning like volcano. Thoughts of Bella, facing Eredin again, Caranthir, Kilgarrah, the Hunt, everything had haunted him. There had been times when he would be standing awake, he'd blink, and suddenly he'd be on the ground, bleeding at Kaer Morhen again.

Eredin had haunted his dreams, and thoughts much more than he had admitted allowed. Sometimes he'd be walking, look down at his thigh, and suddenly it would erupt all over again, like the King of the Hunt's blade was plunging into his flesh. He had been dominated in their last fight, Eredin had been toying with him. Sometimes in his dreams he'd see Eredin killing Alexander, killing Connor and Lara of Lod, his ancestors, the ones who had given him the power that he possessed. He would hear Ciri's wailing cries at his body, Yennefer crying, the agonized voices of his friends.

All of that work… for one… tiny scratch.

Despite everything, that one tiny scratch on Eredin's cheek was all he had managed. His leg ached in that moment, the fear, the thoughts all clouded his mind.

But when he felt Ciri's hand squeeze his again, squeezing it, and then seeing her gaze meet his, all of his worried for the moment melted.

As they long as they stuck together, they'd be alright, and they'd always be together, whether they were next to one another in the final fight or not, they were always together.

The ring and swallow, their medallions, the tattoos on their inner wrists, they were together, always.

"We will… we will…" She said, slowly nodding at him.

Dominik's lip tugged slightly upwards, his eyes stinging, but still keeping his gaze fixed on her. "Yeah… always."

Geralt squeezed them both again, a smile coming to his withered face, as he gestured his head down towards the ground, towards Sjkall's body.

"Now… what do you say we bury a hero?" He said, getting up from the ground.

Dominik and Ciri followed suit. It was as Geralt said, being a true hero, was about putting the wellbeing of others ahead of your own.

And now he, Ciri and Geralt truly were burying a hero.

XxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxX

Geralt stood quietly at the head of the grave, while Dominik knelt next to Ciri, who was doing the same, his arm around her. The two of them sat, Ciri shakily let go of the flowers at the top of the fresh mound of soil surrounded by the intricate rock formation. Digging hadn't taken long, but with each full shovel, Dominik's heart sank a little more. Ciri remembered how the graves of heroes were decorated in Skellige. The candles, the flowers, the formation of the rocks. Ciri had said her piece, laying the flowers at the head of the grave while Geralt stood overhead.

Dominik felt her head bury into the crook of his shoulder again, silent tears coming from her eyes. Looking down at the grave, his hands trembled as he reached out, touching his hand to the top of the stones, closing his eyes and trying not to imagine the young man's pained wails as he was reanimated.

"I'm so… so sorry for how I treated you…" He said, shakily sighed as he looked right down at the grave, his eyes unmoving. "You're a hero… and whatever gods you kept too… they'll know that as well…. You sacrificed and risked your own life to protect people… you're the farthest thing from a craven… and again… I'm so… so sorry…"

He felt Ciri's lips peck the side of his neck, the buzzing running down his throat, making his mind a blur. A small smile tugged at his lips as he looked down at her. Despite her eyes still red and puffy from the crying, she managed a small smile as she cuddled closer to him.

"Thank you for that… for doing this…. I know it wasn't easy for you," She said softly, her eyes not leaving him.

He shakily sighed again and reached his hand out to help her feet. They both stood next to Geralt, who seemed to have his head bowed in a silent prayer of thanks. Dominik managed a crisp clean breath, the smell of Ciri's cedarwood and juniper perfume hitting his nose as he pulled her close for a hug. He looked down, gently holding her face, giving her a soft kiss on the lips.

"I'm glad I came… I'm glad we came…" He said, the smile tugging at his lips as well, his gaze not leaving her or her smile. "It's like I said, we're partners, always…."

"Me and you versus everyone…" She said slowly, leaning and kissing him again.

He finally managed a goofy smile as he kissed her and took in the scent of her perfume again when she hugged him. She was his, and he was hers, it was just like it was always supposed to be. Standing with her there, under the full moon now, it was the rightest thing he had ever felt up to that point.

He was home, after so many years, he was finally home, home with her.

"So… you two ready to head back?" Geralt said, coming up next to them, a small smile plastered on his lips. "Yen will probably have some dinner for us, and if we're lucky, our darling sage will be cooped up in his room, so we don't have to deal with him."

The mention of Avallac'h made he and Ciri both roll their eyes. However, the prospect of he and Ciri's cabin, hot food after the emotional roller coaster of a day they had, sounded fantastic. The thought of sleep however, also made him think of what he planned on doing the next day. It sounded simple on paper.

Go to Brekka, find his grandfather's sword, find the right spell to get the memory to Bella, get the sword to Bella. However, as was always the case with his plans, Dominik knew it would be much more complicated than that. And then of course, after his plan the next day, the battle would soon follow, and if everything went right the next day, it could swing that battle in their favor.

Ciri must have recognized the look on his face because she gestured up towards him to Geralt and met his gaze.

"What is it?" She said, as both she and Geralt looked at him.

Dominik bit the inside of his lip, looking between the both of them. It almost felt cruel of him, asking Ciri, Geralt and then Yen to go out on another dangerous quest for him, the day after everything that they discovered.

"Well… you remember what I was telling you about? The plan… with Bella," He said, looking up to Geralt. "Ciri here came up with a way that… I can possibly get a message to my sister before the final battle. And… and I think I have a plan."

Ciri quickly nodded, her hand on his armored chest. "Of course I remember, and before you ask, yes, of course I'll still go with you, Geralt?"

Geralt scoffed with a smirk as Ciri and he looked at him, as if the question were ridiculous.

"You know I won't let you both do it alone," He said, looking over to Dominik now, the wind blowing his silver hair. "What's this plan of yours?"

His heart fluttered, seeing the looks they both gave him. Trusting, complete trust, and the want to help him. It was his family, the second family he had been blessed with, and now they were going to help him save what remained of his first.

He smiled with a nod. "Well… you remember how she said she sent me the dream of her in Skellige? Well… I was hoping maybe I can find a way to send her a dream, a memory that…that can help her remember who she really is."

"You know a spell that can do that? Yen, Triss or Ermion might," Geralt said.

Dominik quickly nodded. "I think I can find something in Alexander's journal. I want to send the dream and… and I want to go back to Undvik, to her old village… and find my grandfather's old sword."

"Old sword?" Geralt said wonderingly.

Ciri and he shared a look and nodded. Dominik went on and told Geralt about his dreams of Bella the previous few nights, everything that had happened to her. How Caranthir, and Imlerith had killed Bella's adopted mother, and her lover Kendra. How Bella had teleported to Skellige, taking their grandfather's sword, a dwarven sihil with her, and that after Bella was taken, the sword was still left on Undvik.

"That sword's a symbol of our family," Dominik explained, looking between Geralt and Ciri both. "And she knew it, even when she lost her memories before she was taken by the Hunt! If I can find it, and get to her, along with the dream I'll send her… I know I can get through to her."

Geralt narrowed his eyes questioningly. "That sounds like a good plan in theory… but how do you plan on getting her the blade? Do you even know if it's in her village still? A sword like that, it was probably taken by some scavengers long ago."

Dominik shook his head. "I gotta try if it's not there, a continental made, magic dwarven sihil? Someone had to know about it, I may even ask Faram when we get back."

Ciri slowly nodded, a new questioning look on her face as well. "Alright… but like Geralt said, how do you plan on getting Bella the sword if we find it? You plan on just walking up to the Nagalfar, knocking on the cabin door and saying you have a package to deliver?"

He rolled his eyes at her. "No, of course not. I can't get to her… but I think I know someone who can. We should get back and-."

"What are you three doing!?" An angry voice cut him off from behind.

He whirled on his heel with Ciri and Geralt and cursed. "Fuck…"

Ciri's nostrils flared at the three villagers first, before he could even say anything, she stepped forward, her scarf and strands of ashen hair blowing in the wind.

"What you should have done long ago! We're burying Skjall!" She spat, crossing her arms, and leaning back on one foot, what he knew she normally did when she was angry.

Dominik and Geralt stood next to her, and it seemed to deter the three villagers for a moment, the one man in the middle between two women, being brave enough to speak first.

"Burying Craven!? You defy the writ of the elders!?" The man shouted.

It was Dominik's turn for his nostrils to flare as he glared at the man.

"Call him Craven one more time… and you'll be the one in a ditch…" He said darkly, and for a second the man faltered, the two women at his side recoiling.

After another moment, the man mustered his courage, stepping forward again and looking at all three of them.

"Your threats mean nothing! Begone, the three of ye! You defy our laws!" He said, his nostrils upturned as Geralt stepped forward.

"We're not bound by your laws… don't gotta follow them," Geralt said, his swords clunking as he crossed his arms.

Dominik nodded. "We buried a hero, now you leave."

"Aye, clearly you have no respect for our laws either!" One of the two women piped up.

The man scoffed and nodded, looking to them again. "Craven's place is in a ditch! Now get-."

Ciri cut the man off, her gloved fist smashing into the man's jaw, her hands trembling, as Dominik couldn't help but smile as she looked over the man.

"Sjkall saved your blood lives you fools!" She spat, crossing her arms her green eyes aflame as the two women helped the man up and Ciri went on. "The Wild Hunt was after me! Had Sjkall not led me away… then Lofeton would be incased completely in ice!"

"He saved your lives…. And you repaid him by throwing him in a ditch," Dominik said, crossing his arms as he took his place next to Ciri.

The woman on the right scoffed as they helped the man back to standing. "What would the specters be wanting with some lass who-."

"I am NOT some lass!" Ciri erupted, her hands going to her hips as she pointed to the grave. "And anyone who so much as touches this grave will learn that the hard way!"

"Believe me… of the three of us, she's the one you want angry the least," Dominik said, a small smirk on his face, as the man clearly had not much courage left.

"Aye… none will touch it…" The man said, his tone lighter now. "Desecrating graves… the one thing the elders spit on more than fleeing the battlefield…. And what you said… can't know the truth of it… seems only the gods will judge Skjall now…"

A small smile came to Dominik's face, as he looked over to see a smirk come to Ciri's face. She looked at Geralt and he, gesturing for them to follow, as she bumped into the man's shoulder with force as the three of them walked back down the hill. Dominik shared a smile with Geralt, before they both went on following her. They got further down the hill, and with his curiosity peaked, he looked back up, and saw the two women and the man standing and watching the grave, their heads silently bowed.

He reached up to Ciri's side, seeing the smirk had grown to a true smile. It filled him with warmth, the one medicine that always cured him of any mood he was in. She waited up for them both and reached out her hand for Dominik to intertwine his fingers with her as they walked. The satisfied smile on her face made him chuckle, and she looked at him.

"What is it?" She said, eyeing him curiously, the smile not leaving her.

He chuckled again. "Ha… it's just… I don't think you've ever been more attractive to me then you are now."

She rolled her eyes but still smiled. "Stealing Geralt's lines now are we?"

"You kidding? Geralt's a bleedin romantic deep down, aren't you Geralt?" He said, turning to their adopted father, who walked along the other side of them.

Geralt scoffed. "Yup… that's me. So… you guys ready to head back? Ciri?"

Ciri nodded, looking over to meet Dominik's eyes, leaning and planting a kiss on his cheek with a giddy smile.

"Ha… what was that for?" Dominik said, the smile not leaving him.

Ciri shrugged. "Nothing… just for being you… now come on, let's all three of us get back, you ready to teleport?"

"Ugh…. I guess," Geralt complained.

"You know, Yen's been telling me I'll need to get used to portals since I'm with you again," Dominik said, as Ciri smirked.

"Yes, yes you will. Now no complaining, either of you, hold on tight," She said, reaching and grabbing onto both of their hands.

And the smile on her face… it was how he knew for that moment; everything was right in his world.

XxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxX

"So… you're heading back to Brekka tomorrow, to find some sword? A sihil, last seen on Undvik? What was the name again?" Faram asked, the gentle night wind blowing through his long black back and beard.

Dominik sighed, nodding as he drank more ale from the mug, looking out over the ocean. If he squinted, he could see the tower on Undvik from the place their ship was moored at Kaer Trolde then. However, surrounded around the tower now, was fog, dense fog out on the open ocean. The gentle sea breeze was chilly but relaxing, as Faram leaned his back against the railing, downing his own drink.

"It was called Coram, lion pommel, blue runes, and yeah… turns out that's where Bella lived, you've been to Undvik a few times the last few years right? Before the giant showed up?" He asked the Bear Witcher.

His best friend smirked and nodded. "Aye… to see my parents before they went. Brekka was a mining village, remember we entered the mines through there?"

"I'd like to forget sometimes," He said, shuddering as he remembered the treck to the giant's lair on Undvik.

Faram scoffed a laughed, "Ha, aye… same here sometimes. But anyway, after Brekka was destroyed, scavengers picked it clean. Despite the Jarl ordering it of limits."

He turned from the water, finishing his ale as he narrowed his eyes at Faram.

"He ordered it off limits? Why was that? If it were a mining town, I'd imagine he'd want to try and rebuild it," He said, as Faram quickly nodded.

"Aye he did try… but they came up with the notion the place was haunted. All the workers, soldiers they sent, all either ended up dead, missing or went mad."

"Sounds like a job for a witcher," Dominik said sarcastically.

Faram scoffed again. "Aye, he did call me. That was how I knew to go that way when we were trekking through Undvik."

"And… what happened? Wraith, vengeful spirit?"

"Neither" Faram said, stroking his black beard as he met Dominik's eyes. "All the destruction from the Hunt's attack, it caused a side of a mountain in nearby woods to cave down, Jarl thought he struck gold, thought he had a new mine. Ordered men to start excavating right away."

"Barbegazi? Nekker lair?" Dominik said again, and yet again Faram shook his head.

"Again neither… it wasn't even a mine, it was a cave, a magic cave," His best-friend said, and Dominik scoffed.

"Magic cave? How do you mean?"

"Magic cave as in, when I walked in, my medallion nearly shook off my neck," Faram said, poking at the bear witcher medallion around his neck. "Made it a couple yards in, and I saw two branching paths, one had footprints, so I followed."

"Okay… and what was there, what was so magic about it?" Dominik said, crossing his arms as Faram slowly shuddered, a look of dread appearing on his face.

Dominik almost shuddered himself, knowing that not much shook Faram. However, the look that came to his friend's eyes in the moonlight then, he had never seen before. Faram was rattled even thinking about the cave.

The bear witcher shuddered again as he spoke. "Whole time I walked, I heard voices… whispering in my ears, random lights sparked in the cave walls."

"Voices? Geralt always told me hearing voices on a contract is never a good sign…"

"Aye he's right… these ones… sounded like my parents, grandparents, friends who had died, it was horrid…" Faram said, shaking his head again. "Then I came to the first clearing… and saw the bodies, dozens of workers and guards, dead, petrified."

Dominik shook his head. "Sounds like all the makings of some vengeful spirit."

"That's what I thought," Faram said, sighing and meeting his eyes. "But… that was when I saw the visions, it was horrible, it was giant fuckin swarm of crows! Came at me, darted for me, tried to peck out my eyes, bite into my fuckin skin!"

"Were they real? Or just apparitions?" Dominik said, goosebumps traveling up his skin from the cold, and the fright in Faram's tone.

Faram shook his head. "They were apparitions, I killed one of two, but they just turned to dust…. But for fucks sake the scars I had when I escaped were real."

"No offense but… you couldn't kill a bunch of crows?" Dominik said, leaning against the railing of the ship again.

"Bah, none taken, but for your information I did for the most part. But with each one I killed, two more took their place, they just kept coming and coming, till there were so many, I could hardly fucking see, it was a miracle I made it back out…" Faram finished, and Dominik's skin tingled.

He shook and looked back towards the door down to the cabins. After arriving back, Ciri had been exhausted, and he couldn't blame her. She said she'd wait up for him with food, they could eat, make love, fall asleep together. Dominik however, assumed that he would arrive at their room to find her fast asleep. He had come to talk to Faram and had until late hours of the night.

Dominik took the time to tell him about his dreams of Bella, and his plan for communicating with her. Faram like he guessed, knew exactly what he was talking about, when he asked about a dwarven sihil on Undvik. It turned out, that the Jarl of Undvik had taken up the sword, but it had been stolen from his longhouse one night.

He looked and met Faram's eyes. "So you managed to escape… did you figure anything else about the cave? You said it wasn't some spirit?"

Faram shook his head again, crossing his massive arms. "Aye it wasn't. So, I went to find druids, and it turns out like I said, the caves magical, old… and very, very powerful. They call it the Cave of Life, it was sealed away by the druids hundreds of years ago."

Dominik scoffed. "Cave of Life? Original as names go. So I'm guessing you figured out what you could?"

"I did aye, explained perfectly why so many were dead, and went missing in it," Faram explained, meeting Dominik's eyes. "The cave… it was sealed… because it gives you a way to communicate with the dead."

"There are plenty of ways to commune with spirits, they're often cryptic, but it's simple as having an augury done," Dominik said, remembering the Peller in Velen.

Faram quickly shook his head. "Nay, nay mate! In the Cave of Life, it lets you fully commune with the dead. The legends say they appear to you, as you knew them, and they speak to you as if they were alive for a small period of time!"

"Impossible, how the hell do we know it's true."

"We don't," Faram said with a shrug. "But… that didn't stop people from trying to get to the main chamber of the cave to commune with dead friends and loved ones. So many died, that eventually the old druids sealed it off, but seems like it's open again now…"

Dominik shook his head. "Then why haven't the druids sealed it off again?"

"Bah, they got their heads so far up their ass they think it's a myth," Faram said with a hand wave, shuddering as he spoke. "But… it's real… very real mate."

"And the crows? Were they what killed all those men?" Dominik asked, not knowing how it related to their topic, but with his curiosity peaked.

Faram shook his head. "No… you see, so many people die trying to reach the main chamber to speak with your loved ones, because before you do, you have to complete three challenges. The say, the cave, it digs deep into your mind… and forces you to confront your worst fears, and you have to face it."

"So… your worst fear is crows?" Dominik asked confused.

Faram laughed heartily and shook his head. "Not anymore they're not! But when I was a boy… I had an older brother, two of us were walking along some hills one day exploring, when a pack of the fuckers swarmed over us. My brother… got so caught off guard, he tripped and fell down the hill… smashed his into some rocks…"

His eyes softened. "Faram I… I'm so sorry."

"Nay mate got nothing to be sorry for, it was long ago," The Bear witcher said, shaking his head and going on. "But for years after that, crows terrified me. The cave… it forces you to confront your worst fears, past and present, three of them…. And if you succeed, they say you can get to the main chamber… and it's said, your dead loved one or friend… the one who could help you most with your current life, if who appears to you, and you can speak to them for a time."

Dominik racked his brain, remembering a story that Hjalmar had told him at Kaer Trolde the night before. He met Faram's eyes, the moonlight illuminating his yellow eyes even brighter.

"Hjalmar told me about a cave on Ard Skellig… Cave of Dreams it was called, did the same thing essentially," He said, and Faram quickly waved it off.

"Probably similar magic, but not the same trials," The Bear witcher said. "Besides, that task is for nothing but glory and adventure, all you have to do to get passed those trials, is defeat your fear."

"Isn't that what you just said the Cave of Life makes you do?"

"It's similar yes, but the Cave of Life is different. In the Cave of Life, you can't just brute force and knock your fear away with your blade," Faram said, leaning against the railing with him again. "In the Cave of Life… you have to truly conquer your fear, mentally, and physically, you have to face the true meaning of the fear. It's why so many died trying, I'm guessing men around Undvik heard legends, that's why so many of the Jarls men died trying to enter, thinking they could simply swing their sword at the apparitions and kill them… but that won't work."

Dominik gut churned. "So… you with the crows? Is that why they kept multiplying? You said you weren't scared of them anymore."

Faram gave him a knowing smile. "Aye, I'm not scared of crows anymore… but you know what I am scared of? Losing another brother… to be honest mate… still carry that guilt with me, it's why I fight so hard for you, George, Ciri and goldilocks… love you all like family, the only I got left."

"Faram of Undvik, when did you get so sentimental?" He joked, the smirk coming to his face, as Faram heartily laughed, slapping him on the shoulder.

"Aye fuck you! I am serious however…" Faram said, looking out over the ocean. "That was my worst fear… and it manifested in the crows. I'm guessing, if I had simply told them to fuck off… if I had forgiven myself for my brother's death… they would have gone."

"You're saying you didn't go back? What about the Jarl, your contract?" Dominik said.

Faram smirked at him. "Told him it was haunted, unable to break the curse, and that nobody else should go. I'd have covered it up but had no idea how. Figured if the Jarl banned people from going, nobody else would risk their lives."

Dominik had found the entire story intriguing, and a small part of him wondered who would appear to him if he reached the end of the cave. His father? Mother? Alexander? Connor or Lara of Lod? Declan? However, he pushed the story from his mind, and met Faram's eyes.

"That's a great story and all mate but… what does it have to do with my grandfather's sword? You said it was stolen from the Jarl," He said, crossing his now unarmored arms.

Faram sighed and looked deep into his eyes. "Because mate… after the man stole from the Jarl's longhouse, the fucker he ran, and the Jarl followed…. Followed him right up till the Cave of Life, and the bastard headed in."

Dominik's limbs went stiff. "And you're saying the Jarl didn't follow?"

"No… he didn't," Faram said, looking back over the water. "Jarl didn't think it was worth it. The robber more than likely died inside; he never came out. So… your grandfathers' sword…"

"Is somewhere in the cave… fuck me," Dominik said, running a hand through his messy brown hair, looking out over the water with Faram. "Well… I guess I need to go then."

Faram sighed next to him. "Is it really worth it mate? That cave could kill you… and Ciri, is she coming with you?"

"She said she would yeah… and it is worth it," Dominik said, looking up at the full moon, and wondering if his sister was looking at the same one. "That sword… it's the key to bringing Bella back… you never give up on your family."

That was one of the last promises Dominik had made to Alexander. That he would never give up on his family, and he would cherish them, cherish Ciri, and make sure his sacrifice was not in vein. Dominik hadn't known about Bella at the time of course, but she being alive now made that promise all the more important to him. He knew the alternative if he failed, and it wasn't an option.

So, he would conquer whatever fear that this, 'Cave of Life', seemed to think lived deepest in his heart.

Faram clapped his shoulder, a smile coming to his face. "Said this since the moment I met you mate… you're the toughest fucker that I've ever met, you and Ciri both. Want me, George and goldilocks to come with you?"

Dominik met his best-friends' eyes and slowly shook his head. "Thanks… but we'll be alright, Geralt and Yen are going with us. Besides… I want you guys to stay here, keep an eye on Avallac'h, make sure the fucker doesn't do anything shady."

Faram nodded in understand, a scoff escaping him. "Aye no problem mate… hope the cunt does something, he's due a beating. It's also good, goldilocks says she almost ready to start testing her prototype for her… arrow cannon? Don't think she has a name yet, but the fucking thing is brilliant let me tell you."

He scoffed and shook his head. "An entire volley of fifty arrows, all with explosives tied to the end of each? How the hell did she come up with something like that?"

Faram smiled proudly. "A genius she is mate! Said she saw our bombs exploded and thought she could use the powder in other ways. Like I said mate… you sure know how to pick'em."

"Ha… I guess I do," Dominik said, a small embarrassed red hue coming to his face as he met Faram's eyes. "And…. And I wanted to say again, Ciri and I we… we both really are sorry we haven't gotten a chance to speak much the last few days it… it's just-."

"Mate, mate relax! Told you this before, the three of us understand," Faram said with a shake of his and a reassuring smile. "The two of you… you got a big few days ahead, you haven't seen each other in eight years! Spend the time together you need, we're always here for you mate… Aen Hanse remember eh?"

Dominik managed a laugh and nodded. "Aen Hanse…. So… looks like tomorrow I'm heading to the Cave of Life."

"Aye, good luck mate. Whatever it is it shows you… kick its ass," Faram said, before laughing and smirking at him. "Aye who I am I kidding! Long you and Ciri are together, nothing's gonna stop ya, you'll kick the caves ass, then we'll kick Eredin's ass, and every year we'll get piss drunk at Dandelion's to celebrate! You can bring along my niece!"

The thought of Fiona was easily enough to make him smile. Not a day passed he didn't currently miss the young girl. He knew it had been the right decision, leaving her in Claywitch, letting her live her normal life for a little longer, and keeping her from the danger there. However, he could practically hear her laughing, up on his shoulders, while the two of her and Ciri pelted snow at him, laughing, the both of them laughing.

The idea of bringing her to Dandelion's, to meet Faram, Freya, George, everyone, it was what spurred him on, the idea of doing that all with Ciri by his side pushed him even further.

But before he could do that, it seemed he first needed to face down his greatest fears. Perhaps it was a good thing in the end, because if he could conquer the darkness, the fear that he knew was deep down in his heart, then he felt he could do anything.

And it would be the same the next day as it always would be. He looked out over the water once more, the fog in the distance, the spire of Undvik, the full moon reflecting off the dark waves. He sucked in the fresh, salty air, gripping the swallow around his neck.

As long as he had Ciri by his side, then he could do anything.

A/N: And now ladies and gentlemen, we have what is quite literally the shortest chapter since chapter 29 xD I considered tacking this onto the end of the last chapter, but it would have sent the last chapter to over 45,000 words, which would have been way way too long lol. However, despite it being shorter, we have no shortage of emotion in this chapter!

The main draw of course, is Dominik returning with Ciri to the place, where he finally hit his breaking point in his search for her. The last time Dominik was in Lofeton, he was a different man, and did things he regrets, and we see him finally grapple with that reality, and then of course, Ciri and he both, finally after years and years of torment, hit their breaking point together. Thankfully however, Geralt is there, and as always our witcher has a way with words. These chapters before the final battle, are truly about Dominik and Ciri battling with their past failures, and finally getting their minds as well as bodies prepared for the final fight.

Now, I might have to split the journey to the Cave of Life into two parts. The Cave of Life, is of course of my own design, and as you heard Faram explain, in the next two chapters, we'll see Dominik and Ciri both face down their greatest fears, and again as Faram explained, they not only must physically, but mentally conquer them as well. What fears will be awaiting them both? And what of Dominik's plan to contact Bella, and retrieve his grandfather's sword? The next chapter or two are going to be action packed, and I am SO excited to bring them to you soon!

As always, if you guys like this story, and want to see some AMAZING fanart of Dominik and Ciri, Fiona, young Dominik and Ciri, and soon to be Bella, Faram, Freya and George, along with Adda, and everyone, go and visit the Instagram I made for this story! Go follow dominik_of_cintra on Instagram and enjoy!

Again as always, thank you all so so much for reading, I am so so appreciative of it. The support for what is basically my first book has been so so amazing, and it truly means the world to me. So make sure to follow and favorite if you enjoy, and please please review if you have time! Stay safe, and I'll see you all next time!