The Witcher: Through the Worlds

Chapter 86: The End I (Family)

Narrator: After their long arduous journey to find once another again, Dominik, Ciri, Geralt and the rest of their allies have all final come together, for one final battle against the Wild Hunt. After eight years apart, Dominik and Ciri are reunited once again, but before they can truly revel in that joy, the moment of their destinies is near. Dominik, the descendant of Alexander of Lod, the protector of the elder blood, and Ciri, the last daughter of Lara Dorren, the child of the elder blood. Hundreds of years of history and conflict have led to this moment, the moment where together, they face the Wild Hunt and their King Eredin. However, on the other side as well, is Bella, Dominik's younger sister, brainwashed and turned into a weapon of the Hunt. It's Dominik's hope to turn his sister back to the person she once was. However, as the battle begins, he and Ciri will soon come to realize, much more is at stake than they once thought…

The dream came so quickly, that Dominik wasn't ready for it. It finally wasn't in Bella's room on the Nagalfar. It was a high peak, overlooking what he knew had to be the Skelligan ocean. A part of him was screaming to wake up then, to go and gather the forces they had to find the peak. However, he had no idea any way to identify where Bella was, or what she was even doing there.

But he could see her bright green eyes, the bright green eyes of his little sister that he had missed so much for years. The wind blew through her long locks of brown hair, and Dominik watched as she looked down in her hands at the helmet. The helmet Dominik had seen her wear each time he fought her. Baelen's helmet, lined with dark purple leather around the neck, but still holding the skeletal look of the other commanders' helms.

Her eyes were puffy, her cheeks and the tips of her ears red from the cold, as her eyes went from the helmet, out to the water below the massive peak she stood on. It was a couple hundred feet of a drop, and for a horrible second, as she cried, Dominik thought she may throw herself from the edge. He almost yelled out, before finally, Bella shakily sighed, a small sob leaving her as she squeezed the helmet in her hands.

"You summoned me child," A deep voice caught her attention.

Bella's eyes shut tightly, more tears coming from her eyes. Squeezing even tighter to the helmet, she didn't turn around as she silently cried. "I know you went and saw my brother… talked to him."

"I did," The voice of Kilgarrah said, as Dominik saw the dragon a few steps behind Bella. "I am bound to him, as I am bound to you. I wish only to see the best… for the both of you, I will aid him when he needs, just as I aid you."

"You didn't have a problem fighting against him at Kaer Morhen," Bella said, still not having turned to look at the dragon.

Kilgarrah's white hair matched the snow that sat in piles on the ground around them. He looked the same as Dominik had seen him, ruggedly handsome, claw marks across his face, long hair and beard, eyes of gold that held hundreds of years of wisdom.

However now, instead of just a dagger, Dominik saw a sheathed sword on his belt, with a familiar lion pommel. Bella hadn't noticed yet, but Dominik's breath caught up in his chest when he saw her finally turn to face the dragon.

Kilgarrah shook his head, eyes locking with Bella's. "I knew not he was on the other side; you did not inform me of this. Had I known I would not have fought."

"And gotten me killed," Bella said, arms crossing. Her legs shook, either from the cold or her nerves, as tears fell from her eyes still. "Because I promised a dragon to help fight."

"I would have protected you," Kilgarrah said, taking a step closer and looking sympathetically into Bella's eyes. "You are good my child, you have a warm heart a large one. Eredin does cannot control you… you are so much stronger than you know."

Bella only shook more, unable to look Kilgarrah in the eyes. Dominik could see the concern, the meaning in the dragon's golden irises.

Kilgarrah truly was trying to keep his oath, no matter what it cost him.

"I'm only as strong as I am thanks to the mercy, and training of my King," Bella said, her voice shaking. It sounded as if she was trying to convince herself as much as Kilgarrah. The wind continued to howl, as Bella walked back to the edge of the cliff, looking down at the helmet again. "With…without him… I would be nothing."

Dominik's heart panged. She was breaking, bit by bit his sister was breaking before his eyes. Her hands shook, even when she tried to rest one on the pommel of her jagged black sword. The tears had stopped, but he could still see the pain in her eyes, however they quickly started falling again when Kilgarrah came to the cliff next to her.

"My child… do you remember when you first summoned me?" The dragon said.

Bella shakily nodded. "It was in Na Shadare, that one primitive world. Eredin wanted to test and see if I could summon you like Alexander could… if you'd listen to me like you did Alexander."

Kilgarrah nodded sternly, a look of despair coming to his eyes. "We committed horrible acts that day… and many more since."

"What the King doesn't know… is that you aren't under blood oath anymore," Bella said, her voice terse. "You came to me on your own free will… why must you remind me of what I've done? I'm more then aware of them, I see them every night, hear the screams. They torment me every night…"

Nightmares tormenting her every night. It was something that Dominik had experienced, something he had lived through for years.

The only difference was Bella hadn't had Triss, or Yennefer to help her get rid of the dreams. She didn't have Geralt, to help teach her to calm her mind. She did have someone she loved the girl Kendra he had seen in previous visions, but she had been killed, the two people Eivor and Anora, two who had become parents to her, they had been killed.

She had been left with nobody, nobody except Eredin, who had used that wonderfully to his advantage to further his own goals.

They had used her, tormented her, her mind, her body.

But Kilgarrah was correct. His sister was much stronger than they thought.

"I came to help you my child… I traveled through time and space to do so that first time," Kilgarrah said, turning and crossing his arms as he met Bella's eyes. "And… do you remember what I swore to you that day?"

Bella swallowed, the tears streaming. "You said… that no matter what… you would be there for me. That you would help me realize who I am… no matter the cost."

"And it has cost me much… after this is over… I must and will repent," Kilgarrah said, stroking his snowy white beard.

Bella finally turned and met the dragon's eyes, an edge to them. "If you're so bothered by what I summon you for, if it hurts your 'honor' then why the hell do you come when I summon you!? If you don't like it, you can leave then! Leave me for my brother, for my brother and Ciri, just like they all did!"

A tense silence hung over the cold air. Bella's anger quickly turned to a sob. Her gaze turned away from Kilgarrah, back out over the cliff, her hands balled into fists. Dominik didn't know if it was from the wind of the dream, or from his own blood thinning in his veins, but he suddenly felt cold.

Even with Eredin and Caranthir conjuring her fake memories, Dominik had always known the truth. He had failed his sister in Cintra, it was something that he lived with every day since that fateful night.

But he wouldn't fail her this time, he couldn't.

Kilgarrah seemed hurt by the words. For the first time, Dominik could see the dragons hard exterior look crack. His gold eyes fell, as Bella turned back to him, her cheeks wet, red, her hair caked with flakes of white snow.

"I am here… because I care deeply for you my dear, you know this," The dragon said, his voice low and gruff. "I only wish to see you safe… see you be the person I know you are. I see much of him in you… much of Alexander. It is why I'm still here; I care for you as much as I cared for him… and I will not fail you as I failed him, you or your brother."

Bella scoffed as she wiped her cheeks. "You speak of Alexander again… I'll never understand it. Understand why after so many years you still fight for him."

"It is because I saw him as my brother, my dearest friend. We may not have been of the same species, the same blood… but he was still the best man I've ever met. And you and your brother both… you can be even greater than he was."

Bella looked worried; Dominik had seen it since the start. There was something else in her eyes, other than just her anger and sadness. He tried to read his sisters gaze, but she quickly shut her eyes again.

"How can you say that… he wasn't your family," Bella said, her arms shaking, again speaking as if she was trying to convince herself of the words as well. "And he died… because he and his brother stole what wasn't his… died for a woman who they had hardly knew."

"Love my dear… they did it for love. Sometimes destiny and love are one in the same," Kilgarrah said, seeming to carefully calculate his next words. "Just look at your brother… and Cirilla. It was destiny that they met… that you met her as well my dear."

Upon hearing he and Ciri's names, Bella's eyes shot open. "Yes, he loves her, he's blinded by it. He's blinded by it, my mother was blinded by it, my father was, they all were! Blinded by her, because of her, they all choose her over me over their daughter HIS SISTER!"

"You thought of Cirilla as a sister as well… family my dear… comes from so much more than just blood ties," Kilgarrah said softly. Bella froze at the words, more than likely remembering the vision of their mother saying the same thing. The dragon looked softly into her eyes. "What was your dream last night?"

Bella's eyes widened, shooting over to Kilgarrah. "You told him to send me those dreams, didn't you? You showed him the spell?"

"I did not… it was all his idea… to show the truth, show you who you were… who you still are," The dragon said, his eyes not leaving Bella's. "And I believe he is correct… the person you truly are is not dead… it's not who you've been acting as."

Bella's anger cracked. Dominik suddenly remembered the dream he saw the day before, Bella awaking after she saw the dream, seeing their parents. Dominik had wondered if it truly did work and judging by the reaction of Bella to Kilgarrah's words, it had. Bella had seen the dream. She shook, biting down hard on her bottom lip, she looked up at Kilgarrah. He took a minute to realize how beautiful his sister had grown. She had faded bruises, and small scars adorned her face and neck, but Dominik could see that she was just as beautiful as their mother was. Bella had Sofia's features, a delicate chin, high cheek bones, smaller nose. Her hair blew back in the wind, frazzled and unkept like when she was younger.

His sister was all grown up, she had grown up not remembering him, and it had been his fault.

Crying again now, she shook her head, meeting Kilgarrah's eyes. "I… I saw my brother, myself… Ciri. We… we were with guardsman, throwing snowballs, laughing, playing… I was… happy… so… so happy with them both. I… I called Ciri my sister."

"It is as I said my child…" Kilgarrah said softly, his hand finally reaching out to Bella's shoulder. "Family… can be so much more than just blood ties."

"It can't be real!" Bella snapped quickly, tears falling from her eyes as she desperately shook her head, her eyes pleading. "Caranthir he unlocked my memories, my true memories of home… they detested me… my brother… he left me in the street to go save his princess."

Kilgarrah's eyes hardened again. "I've told you from the beginning my child… the dreams, the headaches… you've been seeing them for a reason. The truth… it will always leak through."

"What they showed me is the truth! It has to be, they wouldn't lie to me!"

"Only you can yourself will be able to tell what is true, and what is not, you will feel it… feel it in your heart, your mind when you know what is real," Kilgarrah said, tilting his head and meeting Bella's pleading gaze. "You have a good heart my dear…a pure heart. You are strong enough to uncover the truth for yourself, search your feelings, your heart… what feels right?"

Bella sobbed finally, breaking down again. Kilgarrah looked like he was going to pull her into a hug, but Bella shook her head, looking at the dragon with tear-soaked eyes. Sobbing, Bella's arms shook, her helmet under her arm trembling.

"I can't… even if it is true… they'll never accept me… not after what I've done," She cried, holding both hands to her helmet as she gaze down at it, tears falling onto it. "My brother… he would kill me… he would kill me if it meant keeping Ciri safe…. And even if what they showed me isn't true… it's too late… nobody else can love me, can care for me after what I've done. Don't you see Kilgarrah? This is the only way I can find somewhere I belong… with people who care… even with all I've done."

She broke again, sobbing, as finally Kilgarrah hugged her. It was just like when they were younger, and she scrapped her knee, saw an animal hurt or had a bad dream. His sister was there, she cried like she always used to, spoke like she always used to. She was the same person that Dominik knew.

Bella was alive, she wasn't Baelen, not fully, and wouldn't be, he would make sure.

"I care my child… I always have, and always will," Kilgarrah said, as Bella wiped her cheeks, gently pulling back from him. The dragon looked down at her. "And so, does your brother… no matter the circumstances."

Bella seemed to reluctantly leave the dragon's embrace. She continued to wipe her cheeks, her nose, gripping tighter to her helmet. She looked long at Kilgarrah again, her emerald eyes full of pain, of regret. She sobbed again, biting her lip, and turning her back to the dragon again. Kilgarrah looked at her wonderingly like he was going to ask a question, but Bella spoke in a broken voice.

"Did… did he tell you anything else," She said, turning to the dragon with tears still in her eyes. "My brother… did he… he tell you anything else?"

Kilgarrah slowly nodded, and Dominik's heart leapt when the dragon reached for the sword on his belt, unclipping the sheath and holding it out in both his hands to Bella.

"He told me to tell you… that he loves you… and no matter what, he will not give up on you," The dragon said, looking at the sword as Bella jaw fell open. "And he said… to bring this back to you…"

"This is our grandfathers' sword, our mothers," Bella said quickly, her eyes not leaving the lion pommel of Coram, her voice quick but shaking. "He… he was supposed to inherit it. It's better than any sword he'd have, he needs it to protect his princess."

Dominik's heart sank, but he watched Kilgarrah shake his head.

"No… he said it belonged with you, you were its rightful carrier," The dragon said, a small smile coming to his scarred face. He reached out, gingerly taking Bella's hand and placing it over the blade. "He and Cirilla both went through much to retrieve it for you… they braved the Cave of Life, almost perished."

"Why… why would they do that… why would he do that?" Bella said, her voice cracking again as she cried again. "He's giving me a weapon… that could help me kill Ciri… why would he do that?"

Kilgarrah looked deep into her eyes, his rough larger hand over Bella's as she finally took the sword from him. The dragon slowly shook his head.

"I believe it is obvious my dear," He said softly, removing his hands and letting Bella hold the sword for herself. "It is because he knows, as I do, as Cirilla knows… as everyone who knows the true you knows… that you are not Baelen… you are Bella of Cintra… one of the last descendants of Alexander of Lod… and he will not give up on you."

Dominik could help but smile at the scene. Bella's eyes hadn't left the sword. She was slack-jawed, tears slowly falling onto the brown sheath in her hands. Carefully, she ran her hands over the lion pommel again, and then ever so gently pulled a part of the blade out. It was as if she was checking if the sword truly was Coram, the one she had teleported away with from Cintra the night of the massacre.

She looked and saw the blue runes, and tears fell onto the steel as they still glowed. Dominik was flashed back to the times he and Bella would sit and look at the runes, trying to determine what they meant. Of course, they couldn't, but as Bella looked at the sword she sobbed. Sobbed hard, closing her eyes as if looking at the sword and Kilgarrah brought her pain. Dominik's heart raced, as her arms shook, the helmet had fallen to the snow, and Bella glanced down at it, before going back to the sword.

The cold wind howled, the snow beginning to fall faster, harder, as Bella sobbed, clutching the blade to her chest as she re-sheathed it. It looked as if the weight of a thousand boulders resided on his sisters back, as she looked at the lion pommel. Kilgarrah stood there, almost seeming to cry himself. He didn't know if dragons could cry, but Kilgarrah seemed close to it. He reached out a hand for Bella's shoulder again, but Bella quickly looked up at him, meeting his golden eyes as she shakily shook her head.

"No one act of good… no matter how good it is…" Bella started, sobbing as she shook her head, her hand clutched around the sword. "Can wipe out so many acts of bad… it's too late Kilgarrah… I can't… I only have one way I can belonged."

"That is not true my child… it simply is not true," Kilgarrah said softly, holding out both hands on Bella's shoulders, smiling at her, his eyes warm. "It is not too late my dear… it is never too late for one to come back to the light… you are good Bella... you always have been."

Bella sobbed again, one hand holding the sword, the other gripping tightly onto Kilgarrah's hand on her shoulder. She looked down at the sword, and the helmet again, before slowly looking and meeting the dragon's eyes.

"I… I know what I have to do…." She sobbed, blood trickling from her lip from biting too hard, her armor clattering as she shook. The wind howled, the trees around the cliff shook, Bella's lip twitched as she looked up into the dragon's eyes. "I… I know what I must do Kilgarrah but… but I'm afraid… I… I don't know if I'm strong enough…"

Kilgarrah lightly smiled, his larger tough hand holding up to Bella's cheek. The dragon slowly nodded, as Bella's tear-filled eyes looked up to meet his again.

"I will always be there to aid you my dear," The dragon said, nodded as his scarred face twisted into another smile. "You are precious to me child… I will always be there when you call."

The words were supposed to be uplifting, Dominik saw how much the dragon genuinely cared for her.

Bella, however, didn't smile back.

She gripped tightened on Kilgarrah's arms, sobbing again as she looked up at him. "I… I'm sorry… I'm so… so sorry."

Kilgarrah tilted his head. "What do you think you have to be sorry for child?"

Bella's hands shook, as she sobbed and shook her head. "I'm sorry… I'm sorry…"

She took a step back, down the cliff, next to where her helmet had rolled. Her one hand stayed clutched around Coram, now seemingly unable to look at it. She did, however, look at Kilgarrah, sobbing again.

Kilgarrah shook his head, speaking softly. "Bella… what are you-."

But Bella cut him off, as she raised her hand, speaking in Elder speech, her eyes glowing bright blue, with tears still falling down her cheeks.

"Anja, crynvael… PELIO ANAYE!"

"GAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

"NO BELLA DON'T, STOP!"

His screams fell on deaf ears, and even if Bella could hear him through the dream, his voice would have been cut out Kilgarrah's screams. The dragon's screams were more like a roar, causing snow to shake and fall of trees around them. Dark black tendrils of magic, shot from Bella's hands, circling around the dragon, yanking his arms to the ground. Dominik watched in horror, as Kilgarrah tried to transform back into a dragon, his skin bulged, his tunic ripped, but each attempt was met by Bella closing her hand tighter, and tighter.

Dominik looked and saw Bella crying, sobbing hysterically at Kilgarrah's pained cries. She shook, Coram still in her other hand as the one stayed lit with magic. She shook her head, muttering the entire time as she cried, applying more and more pressure to the hold.

"I'm sorry… gods I'm sorry… Kilgarrah…" Bella said, her voice coming out in sobs, as Kilgarrah's screams finally died.

Dominik looked at the great dragon on his knees, tendrils of mist pulling his arms to the side. Heavy, heaving breaths came from him, as he labored against his bons. He looked up, and for the first time he saw the dragon in complete shock. His eyes were wide, and Dominik could even finally see a tear fall from his eyes, as his arm muscles bulged as he struggled against the magic.

He desperately looked up, the cold wind blowing back his snowy white hair. His scarred face was twisted with fear, just as Dominik's was.

Because Kilgarrah knew what was happening, just as Dominik did.

"My child… Bella…" He said through strained, gritted teeth, the hurt in his voice evident. "This is not the answer… it isn't too late… Bella-."

"It is," Bella cut him off, sobbing as she held the magic in her hand and looked with tears down at Kilgarrah, shaking her head. "This… this is the only way… nobody… nobody else will love what I've become… only them… I'm sorry… I'm so… so sorry Kilgarrah… but I have to do this."

"You do not!" Kilgarrah stressed, straining as he pulled against the magic. "You do not have to do this Bella, there are other ways, you brother loves you, I love you… please… my dear, do not do this… not for my sake… but for your own… there is another way."

Bella's hand loosened ever so slightly, and a small slimmer of hope shot up from Dominik's chest.

However, Bella sobbed again, closing her hand tighter, Kilgarrah's pained cries ringing out again, and it was gone.

"My brother… he'll kill me tomorrow… he will," Bella cried, the tears covering her red cheeks as she sobbed and met Kilgarrah's strained eyes. "If he sees this plan has failed… when he thinks about all I have done… when he realizes that I can kill Ciri… he'll kill me… it's too late… and the only way…" She sobbed again, "The only way I can truly… truly belong somewhere… is by doing this… I'm so… so sorry Kilgarrah… I am…"

Kilgarrah shook his head again, grunting as he struggled against his bonds. "Bella… my child please… please listen to me. Release me and I'll take you from here… we'll find your brother, you'll see that-."

"It's too late... it's too late…" Bella said, broken as she cried. "I am who I am… my name is Baelen… a commander of the Wild Hunt, servant to my King Eredin… it's how it has to be… and now I have to do one more thing tomorrow… it's the only way I'll belong."

"That's not your name!" Kilgarrah said sharply. "You are Bella of Cintra, child of Sofia, of Gregory, descendant of Alexander! You are good Bella; you have been good since-."

Portals opened around them, and a new racking voice pierced over the snow.

"CRYNVEL PENALE CANAYE!"

"GAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

"NO! NO KILGARRAH!" Dominik tried to scream out, but again his voice was muffled by the wind, and the dozens of portals that opened on the cliff.

Dozens of swirling blue portals, and riders of the Hunt poured out of them. Bella stood as Kilgarrah screamed, tears streaming down her cheeks. She still had Coram tucked under her arm, and Dominik yelled out again, when he saw her look down into the snow.

Her tears falling, Bella reached and picked the helmet from the ground. Kilgarrah's pained screams rang out, as she cried onto the metal. Her hands shook, as the magic stopped forming in her hands. However, Kilgarrah still wreathed and yelled, struggling against magic bonds as riders from the Hunt gathered, yanking, and making sure the dragon didn't escape.

"I'm sorry… I'm sorry…" Bella cried again, not speaking loud enough for any of the riders to hear.

"Well done… Baelen." Bella jumped, upon hearing Eredin's dark, cold voice.

Dominik watched, as Caranthir trudged through the snow past Bella, his staff raised, swirling with magic at the top.

Eredin followed closely behind, his massive form coming behind his sister. Bella jumped again when the King's massive, armored hand on her shoulder. It almost knocked Bella to the ground, but quickly she composed herself, looking and meeting Eredin's eyes. He didn't wear his helmet, so his pale, monstrous eyes looked back at his sister.

"He won't be hurt right? You promised me he wouldn't be hurt," She said quickly, her hair whipping behind her. "You promised after the battle he'd be released!"

Eredin laughed, his voice echoing over the howling wind. Dominik saw into the King's eyes. He had seen men like this, it didn't matter if Eredin was an elf, he knew what that look in men's eyes meant, what type of men then always belonged too.

Ones who cared nothing for others' lives, none but their own.

"Of course, Baelen," Eredin said slowly, a twisted smile coming to his face as he looked down into Bella's tear-filled eyes. "You did well… now… only one more thing for you to do... and you'll finally have your new family… tomorrow is the day."

"And… and we're sure it's tomorrow?" Bella said, terror rising in her voice.

Eredin's curled smile looked over to Caranthir, who stood over a thrashing, screaming Kilgarrah, his hand over the dragon's head, muttering a spell.

"Yes… it will be tomorrow, Avallac'h will not wait any longer," Eredin said, his koi smile looking back down to Bella, gripping her shoulder. "It will be tomorrow… tomorrow, you will finally have your vengeance Baelen… you will finally fulfill your purpose,"

"My King…" Caranthir interrupted before Bella could answer, making Eredin turn to the navigator, as his helmet met Eredin's eyes. "It is ready for you…"

Eredin smirked, stroking the back of Bella's hair, making his sister shake. "You did well Baelen… never forget who gave you that name… who is responsible… for your power, yes?"

Before Bella could say anything, Eredin walked away. After he did, Dominik saw tears start to gently fall from her eyes again, as she watched Eredin walked towards Kilgarrah on his knees. Black tendrils of magic swirled to keep the dragon restrained, along with dozens of riders as Caranthir stepped aside for Eredin.

Dominik looked and saw a glyph of blue magic simmering above Kilgarrah's head. The dragon's skin had stretched and strained, clearly trying to turn back into his true form, but the magic either stopped him, or caused him too much pain.

"Why… hello again Kilgarrah… do you remember me?" Eredin said cockily, his cold eyes moving in front of Kilgarrah's.

Kilgarrah spat, a blob of saliva smacking into Eredin's face. "Your plan… it… it will not succeed your deplorable cur… she is so much stronger than you know… your arrogance… it will be your downfall. The day you fear has arrived… Alexander has returned… his children have returned… and they will be your downfall."

Eredin wiped the spit from his face, reaching to his belt and pulling out a knife. "I thought dragons were supposed to be wise beings… not followers of ridiculous superstitions. No… I will control all, just like Alexander and his brats… all will bow before me, the superior being… the superior race… and I will start first… with you."

Eredin slit the dagger across his palm, crimson blood seeping into the snow below.

And Kilgarrah screamed, as magic yanked his arms, and Eredin clamped his massive bloody hand over the glyph of magic Caranthir had placed.

"GAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

Kilgarrah's screamed turned to a roar, a pain roar, a guttural roar as his mind was muddled and covered by Eredin's massive hand.

His view turned to Bella, who stood watching, her eyes full of tears, as she slowly shook her head, biting her lip and clutching at the helmet and sword in her hand. She shook, trembling as she looked down at the sword and helmet both in her hands. Her eyes turned to the sword, and for a moment, Dominik thought she may unsheathe it.

However, she didn't. She muttered words in Elder Speech, and in a slow flash of bright blue light Coram disappeared from her hands.

'NO! BELLA STOP DON'T!" Again, his screams fell on deaf ears, as Bella's shaky hands held the helmet.

"The only way… this is the only way… it's too late," She said, looking over at a screaming Kilgarrah, and sobbing again. "I'm sorry…"

And then, she took the helmet, and slid it over the top of her head, her emerald eyes covered and replaced by the black eye slits of the helm's faceplate.

The ones that had been there when he fought Baelen.

XxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxX

"NOOOOOO! NO BELLA, BELLA STOP!"

He shot up from he and Ciri's bed, sweat cascading down his bare chest. He thrashed so wildly, that he heard a loud bang, and turned to see a frantic Ciri looking over at him from the floor.

"Dom! Dominik what is it, what's wrong!?" She said, scattering back up onto the bed.

Dominik felt bad for a moment knocking her off the bed. He looked at her wide eyed, she was completely naked as he was, normally in the mornings he would take the time to admire this fact. But now, all he could see was Bella, Kilgarrah.

His plan hadn't worked.

"C…Ciri it… it didn't… it didn't-," He stuttered, shaking from a cold draft, unable to fully form words.

She crawled over to him, her frazzled ashen hair in streaks down her shoulders. He knew seeing him like this was worrying her, he could see the panic beginning to build up in her eyes as well. Ciri had fallen asleep early, but Dominik couldn't, he spent hours awake, looking at her asleep in his arms, thinking about all the things he had to do that day. He was certain, he finally formed a plan of action, he knew what he'd do. He was finally starting to think for certain they would win.

But all of it was undone with what he saw. His plan to bring Bella back had failed, and now he needed a new one.

"Dominik… Dom what is it," She said softly, looking into his eyes. Gently she cupped her hands over his cheeks, her thumb running down his scar. "You… you said Bella's name… Dominik what happened?"

He felt the tears welling up in his eyes. The damage to Bella was even worse than he had thought. What Eredin and Caranthir had done to her, was much worse than he thought.

No, man up, you can't cry, not now. If you cry, then Ciri will worry more, and Bella's already lost, he thought quickly.

"Ciri my… my plan… it didn't work," He said softly, blinking rapidly as he shook his head.

Ciri's hands shook as she sat back, her eyes going wide. "What? What do you mean? Does… does that mean that… that Bella-."

"We can still save her, I know we can don't worry," He said, seeing her face fall, reaching out he gently cupped hers, kissing her. "We will do this."

A part of Dominik expected her to argue with him, expected her face to fall more, for her to panic.

But she didn't.

Her eyes narrowed, she leaned forward and kissed him hard on the lips. Over the previous few days, few weeks even he had been able to see her nerves, the weight of the destiny she had slowly breaking her. He knew Ciri was strong, she was the strongest person he knew. However, even the strongest among us needed help to stay strong now and then, and the previous few weeks, they had done that for each other.

Now however, it seemed she was as ready as he was. Ready to make them all pay.

"We will…" She said, as she pulled back from him, meeting his eyes and nodded. "They're all going to pay… every one of them. If they want me so bad… they can have me… I'll be sure to give them everything."

Dominik quickly nodded, unable to stop a smile from forming on his face.

It left even quicker however, when he remembered what else had happened in his dreams.

He looked and met Ciri's eyes, nodding but biting his lip. "We'll get her back… I'll find a way… but Ciri we… have an even bigger problem now."

She darted her eyes back up to him. "You saw something else? What was-."

She was cut off by the door to their room slamming open, quickly Ciri rushed to pull blankets over her chest, and Dominik instinctively yanked them over his waist.

"Dominik! Ciri!" The worried voice of Yennefer said, as Dominik saw her mother rush into the room. "We've been looking all over for… oh gods… um… sorry, are we interrupting?" Their mother said, her eyes nervously widening as she turned her back to them.

"For fuck's sake… didn't I tell you this is where we'd find them?" Geralt complained behind her, putting his hand over his eyes. "I told you, 'they're probably naked fucking in the room', but no, you said 'we need to find them we're going to be late!'."

"That's because we are Geralt!" Yen snapped at him. "We need to move quickly before the armies get too far ahead of us!"

Dominik looked at Ciri, all thoughts of his dream forgotten for a moment as their faces were both beat red.

"Well? Get some clothes on!" Geralt said, his hand still over his eyes.

That sprung them both out of bed. Dominik quickly reached for his knickers, pulling them quickly over his waist before doing the same with his discarded trousers. He looked over at Ciri, who's naked body was quickly covered with her small clothes. Apparently, he had been staring too long because she noticed him looking at her chest and winked at him. She laughed when his eyes widened, before pulling up her own trousers as well as her shirt. Within another few moments, Dominik was dressed, minus his armor which had been taken off back on the ship. Ciri looked the same, in her normal outfit she reached up, tying her hair into a tight bun, the ring and her new wolf medallion he had gotten her dangling around her neck.

He looked down and noticed the green dress she had been dressed in the night before neatly folded next to her sword. Ciri saw him looking at it, and striding over to him, he quickly kissed his cheek and winked, walking past him towards where Geralt and were one was covering his eyes, while the other looked at the wall.

"You can turn around now," Ciri said, as Dominik came up next to her. She rolled her eyes as Geralt and Yen both turned around. "You know, you really should knock on the door of a closed room of an inn."

"Yeah, especially when you more than likely know exactly what's going on," Dominik said dryly, fiddling with his medallion and the swallow around his neck.

They both turned around, Yen dressed in her normal black and white, Geralt in his armor, swords freshly polished.

Yen sighed and looked at them. "Sorry darlings, but it's as I said, we must get moving. Faram, George and Freya told us where you were, but it's already nearly midday. We need to set sail soon."

Dominik's skin crawled, but after meeting Ciri's eyes and seeing her nod, he looked back to them both.

"You said the armies are moving? Crach and his men have moved out… and the Black Ones?" He said, still disgusted at the idea of being so close to Emhyr.

Geralt quickly nodded from next to Yen. "Yeah, and one his messengers stopped by the ship. Made sure Avallac'h didn't overhear, but it said that Anton and his men are moving out with Crach, and they'll meet you at the spot you all discussed a few days ago, the hill overlooking where we plan to summon them."

He nodded again. Everything was in place. Despite how much he hated them, they had an armada of ships and at least a hundred troops from Emhyr and the Black Ones. All Skellige was at their side, as Cerys had promised him back when he first met her. And of course, there was Anton, and the remaining men loyal to Cintra, his elite knights, a group the old knight had no problem letting Dominik lead.

However, they had been prepared at Kaer Morhen as well. They had gotten lucky that Kilgarrah had noticed him at the fortress. Looking back on the battle now, after the white dragon had noticed him, he didn't attack the keep itself, only fighting with Borch. He had still failed that day, not remembering Bella could track him, and not having a better plan to deal with Kilgarrah.

The dragon's screams echoed in his ears, all the eyes on him now. He saw Bella, pulling her helmet over her head, Coram shimmering away. His first plan to get her back had failed, so now he only had one option left.

He had to fight her, had to fight her, and get through to her.

Dominik would, he wasn't going to let her down, give up on her, leave her, no matter what Bella thought.

But they had a much bigger problem now, then just Bella.

He slowly nodded, biting his lip he met Geralt's eyes. "Alright… but Geralt… have you seen Borch at all today? I saw him yesterday, he told me he spoke to you."

"Yeah, Yen and I got to talk to him," Geralt nodded. "He's back on the ship now, why do you ask?"

"Yes, and you said we had a problem when you woke up, Dominik what is it?" Ciri said, looking to him as well.

All three of them turned to him, and Dominik shivered.

He nodded to Geralt. "Good… because we're going to need him. Kilgarrah… he… he doesn't control his actions anymore… neither does Bella. Eredin used a spell and took control of him… we won't get any mercy from him…"

XxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxX

Dominik remembered back at Kaer Morhen, when he was shaking before the battle, unable to move or stop his hands from shuddering. Arno had told him they were simply pre-battle jitters, and they went away after a while. It helped to meditate, sit in a quiet room and calm your mind. In Arno's case, he told Dominik he always spoke to Elise, the woman he loved and at Kaer Morhen, recommended he do the same with Ciri. It had worked tremendously, and he wanted to do the same then.

However, Ciri was just as anxious, angry, and furious as he was as she stood next to him at that war table, in that Nilfgaardean tent, listening to Avallac'h drone on.

"Four of you can be positioned here, on this cliff face," The sage said, his voice more urgent then Dominik had ever heard it. "And you three shall stand on this opposite cliff and-."

"Honestly, we're all perfectly capable of doing math as well as magic. I'm sure we're all able to understand where to stand," Kiera Metz said with an eye roll, meeting the sage's glare. "Do you ever get tired of hearing yourself talk?"

"No, he doesn't," Dominik piped up from his spot next to Ciri in the corner of the tent.

His comment got him a glare from the sage, but he had gotten so used to those it didn't affect him. It got a scoffing laugh out of Ciri, and he saw a few small smiles appear on the sorceress's faces, mainly Yen and Triss, so in the end the comment was worth it.

The sail to Undvik had been mostly silent. Unlike at Kaer Morhen where he had to plan, scramble to make sure everything was perfect. Now practically everything was already in place, and the few things that weren't didn't require Dominik's attention yet.

So, he simply had leaned against the railing on the front of the ship, Ciri at his side, along with Geralt and Yen. Faram had been meditating near the captain's wheel while Barnabas steered. George had spent the drive sharpening his blades, while Freya urgently helped the men make more arrows for her weapon, which the men had started calling 'the Kaminski' in honor of her. They had plenty of arrows for a few dozen volleys now, and Dominik was eager to see it in action after Ciri had described it. After they had landed, the sorceresses, Geralt, himself and Ciri had made their way into the Black One's camp they were in now, the tent around a war table with a map of the bay of Undvik they positioned in.

Like he expected, Avallac'h didn't take any notice to Faram, George and Freya all heading the opposite direction they did after they landed. The Adrestia was a safe distance away. The 'Kaminski' had been wheeled to the hill they planned, a perfect slope for them all to charge down when the battle started, and if the message Geralt received earlier in the day was correct, Anton and his knights would be waiting for them.

They had seen Skelligan forces all around the Island, not getting to close to the Black Ones, who's armada was in the bay then. Dominik would see all the ships in splinters; however, he wouldn't deny how impressed he was by the fleet of at least a hundred ships surrounding the island. The bay, despite it being picked by Avallac'h was indeed the most strategic spot he could see to summon the Hunt, they would be bottled into that one area, right into the path of all their forces. And with 'the Kaminski' raining arrows upon them, it would be a rude awakening for the wraiths.

A few things of course worried him. His dream still lingered in his head. Kilgarrah would come through the portal, he knew, probably when they were tired from fighting like at Kaer Morhen. Would Bella still be riding him? He tried to voice his concerns to some of the officers in the Black One's army when he arrived, stating they should spread out their ships instead of making them an easy target for the dragon.

He had been laughed off, much to his annoyance. Despite his hatred for the Black Ones, he didn't want innocent soldiers to die. Borch also had disappeared into the woods with Tea and Vea after the ride on the ship, claiming not to worry, that he would arrive when needed.

However, the closer they got to the battle, and the longer he didn't see their dragon, the more worried he was.

And finally, of course, there was the other part of his dream as well. Bella.

She would be here soon, and he'd need to do what he was trying to avoid.

"Hey, you alright?" Ciri whispered to him, her arm wrapped in his. They both sat on two large crates in the tent, while the sorceress and Avallac'h bickered.

Dominik's skin crawled, he sighed deeply and looked at her. "Well… we're in a camp surrounded by Nilfgaardeans, Emhyr is probably only a few miles away, Avallac'h won't shut up… and we're about to fight the Wild Hunt."

A small smirk crossed her face. "So… basically everything we've been doing the last few months?"

"Basically," He said, unable to keep the smile from coming to his face. However, he bit his lip, the dream returning to him. "Just trying to think about what I'll say with Bella…"

Ciri squeezed his hand, and despite how anxious they both felt she smiled at him. He of course hadn't liked being in the middle of a Nilfgaardean war camp, it reminded him far too much of Cintra. He had seen that black banner with the golden sun marching through his home, its soldiers killing everyone in sight. He had plenty of reasons to be nervous there, Emhyr had also sent assassins after him three times now, so it probably wasn't the safest place for him.

However, Ciri had even more of a right to be nervous then him, to be afraid. He didn't know if Emhyr would be stupid enough to be this close to the battle, but that possibility was of course there. She was worried he knew, worried he'd try to grab her after the battle was done. It had been in part why he instructed Faram to park his ship in a spot where it was hidden, so that they could make their quick getaway after it was over.

Still, she was being strong then, for both their sakes, so he would as well.

She gave him a small smile as she squeezed his hand. "Don't think about it too much, just talk from your heart."

"I'm going to have to fight her…" He said slowly. "I was hoping that well… the sword, the dream… and Kilgarrah would be enough so I didn't have to but…"

"You can do this, we can do this," She said, as she stood up from the crate. "We've done everything we could to prepare. Our friends will be with us, Anton, Geralt. Our life starts tomorrow right? That is, if you still think you can deal with me for the rest of your life."

He couldn't help but smile again, for a moment all the negative thoughts were banished from his mind.

He held one hand onto her waist, leaning forward and kissing her cheek suddenly, like he knew she found cute. She smiled back at him, that smile that instantly lit any room for him, the one he had missed for years.

The one he fought for that day.

"Dealing with you for the rest of my life?" He said softly, smiling the entire time at her. "That's all I've ever wanted."

She got completely flustered, Dominik had told her before, but on the eve of a battle for their lives it seemed to hold more weight.

"I'd kiss you for that if we weren't surrounded by people you know," She said, crossing her arms and smirking at him.

He chuckled. "You're more than welcome to later. Even more then that if you'd like."

She winked at him, and before Dominik could say anything, he heard the clunking of armor.

"Ah, Geralt finally, we were waiting for you," Avallac'h said, finally stopping his bickering with the sorceresses.

Upon hearing that, Ciri and he both shot their heads towards the tents entrance. Sure, enough Geralt was there, his armor freshly polished and repaired, the sun gleaming off his two swords. Right away Ciri and he shot to the side of the table, meeting his eyes. Before Geralt answered the sage, he met their eyes, and winked subtly. It was quick enough to where it could have been mistaken for him blinking, but he and Ciri both let out an anxious breath.

Everyone except himself, Ciri, Yen and Triss thought Geralt was simply out polishing his armor and swords. However, in reality, he and Ciri's adopted father was out with Faram, George and Freya, making sure they were able to get 'the Kaminski' into position with Anton and his men, without the Nilfgaardeans prying eyes catching them and reporting to the commanders.

His being back, and that wink meant everything was in position, Anton and his men were prepared, and George, Freya and Faram were with them. Soon, Ciri and he would join them, with Geralt as well.

After winking to them, Geralt turned and rolled his eyes at the sage. "Really now, looks to me like you started already."

Avallac'h shook his head. "We were discussing questions of a magical nature. Nothing of great interest to you."

"Right…" Geralt said, rolling his eyes again. "Because I'm just a simple witcher."

"Simplicity has its charms," Yen pipped up, smirking from next to the sage.

Geralt rolled his eyes again. It was easily him that he and Ciri had gotten that from. He walked up next to the two of them, nodding measuredly to he and Ciri both, before turning back to the table and the sage.

"So… you were explaining your plan?" Geralt said.

"Yes, every little excruciating detail," Kiera said again with an eye roll. "It's as Dominik said, he simply likes hearing himself talk I believe."

"I promise it isn't just a sage thing," Ida Emean said from Ciri's left, making Dominik scoff a laugh.

Everyone around the table smirked or laughed again, as Avallac'h sighed in annoyance rubbing both his temples.

"The sooner we finish, the sooner we can all be rid of one another. A moment I have long awaited and I'm sure you are as well," The sage said in annoyance, and Dominik didn't think he had ever agreed with the sage more. Avallac'h sighed, looking at the map again. "The plan is simple… which does not mean it will be easy to execute."

"Never would have guessed…" Dominik said, unable to keep the sarcasm from spilling from his mouth.

Avallach's nostrils flared, but he kept his composure. The chuckle from Ciri next to him, and the smirk from the sorceresses near him again made the comment worth it.

"I shall answer activate the sunstone. If Caranthir answers the call, a few of the Hunts ships will first enter the bay," Avallac'h said, cutting the laughter off sharply.

Dominik's head shot up, and Geralt asked the question before he could.

"A few ships? You mean Eredin won't appear on the Nagalfar right away?" He said suspiciously.

Avallac'h shook his head. "No… Eredin is arrogant, but he isn't stupid. He knows the power we hold with… both of you two," He looked pointedly at Dominik and Ciri, "he knows of the power you both possess, he will send more riders then normal. He wishes to try and draw you both out, before arriving himself."

Dominik rolled his eyes and crossed his arms. "I think that's the nicest thing you've ever said to me."

"It wasn't a compliment," The sage said darkly, leaning on the map again and looking to all the sorceresses. "After the first ships show up, the Nagalfar will appear shortly after. When that happens, the Lodge must prevent it from returning to the world of the Aen Elle, while the imperial fleet will block its escape by sea."

Dominik couldn't stop himself again. "Kilgarrah will blow the imperial fleet to fucking splinters if we leave them there bunched up like that! You know it as well as I do!"

Avallac'h scoffed as all the eyes fell on him. "And since when do you care about the lives of Nilfgaardeans?"

His blood boiled. "I care about hundreds of men dying, because you can't put your fucking pride aside and listen to me!"

"He's right," Geralt quickly said, before the sage could say anything. Geralt stepped in front of Dominik before he could lose his temper. "We need to be prepared for the dragon this time."

"Isn't that what Borch came for?" Triss said from the opposite side of the table.

Geralt nodded but crossed his arms. "Yes, but two dragons fighting is destructive as it is. We need to find a way to help defend the troops or do something about Kilgarrah."

"Well, it's a good thing the 7th Ymalts Infantry Regiment under Duke var Attre will have you with them as they board the ships and charge," Avallac'h said with a wave of his hand.

Dominik's eyes widened, he looked and saw Ciri's fist curled in anger next to him. He looked up at Geralt, who kept a stern expression. Geralt couldn't separate from them. He and Ciri needed him, wanted him by their side, that had been the plan.

"No way! Geralt you can't seriously-." Dominik started, but Geralt silenced him with a look.

All the eyes fell on Dominik again, he could see the sorceresses, Phillipa in particular waiting to see what he did next. Avallac'h had a smug look of satisfaction in his eyes, and Dominik wanted nothing more to remove his head from his shoulders. Outside soldiers clattered about, the sun starting to slowly set. There wasn't much time to argue, and Dominik didn't want his plans to fall apart then.

Geralt nodded at him and looked to Avallac'h. "Fine... I'll go."

Dominik looked at him incredulously. "Geralt you can't be serious! What about me and-."

"It's okay Dom," He said quickly, cutting Dominik off from rambling off his plans. "It's like you said, won't leave those soldiers to face that threat alone."

"But what about Kilgarrah!?"

"Dealt with dragons before as most of you know," Geralt said, a small smirk coming to him, before his mouth flattened while looking at Dominik and Ciri. "I'll find you both when the fighting starts."

Silence fell over the tent for a moment. Dominik looked to Geralt, biting his tongue he slowly nodded. Geralt was right, the soldiers there had done nothing to them, and were putting their lives on the line. They had a right to have some form of protection even if it was small. Geralt would be able to lead them. Dominik also knew he wouldn't talk his adopted father out of it, so he bit his lip falling back closer to Ciri again. She grabbed and squeezed his armored arm, giving him a stern nod to reassure him.

It worked, as he sighed. "Fine…"

Geralt nodded at him and turned back to the table. "I'll go with them, help them try and survive Kilgarrah's first assault. But Dom is right, all the ships being there, they're like sitting ducks. Kilgarrah will tear them to pieces… Emhyr is being awfully kind with his resources."

"He's put his entire Skellige campaign on hold to help us," Fringilla Vigo said from across the table.

Dominik rolled his eyes, his temper flaring. "You mean he put aside his conquest of the continent, burning hundreds of villages, bringing slavery and his complete rule to people who don't want it. After he started two wars completely unprovoked, and without ANY just cause, he has found it in his heart to help us!? Wow! I should go find him and thank him! Remind to do that after the battle won't you Ciri?"

Ciri scoffed a laugh next to him, but Dominik's temper still flared. Fringilla across scoffed and looked to Geralt.

"I see your boy inherited your sharp tongue Geralt," The sorceress said, crossing her arms and narrowing her eyes at Dominik now. "You must learn to respect your better's boy. The Emperor is the most powerful man on the continent, he will one day rule all-."

"Including you? I recall us having to save you from his dungeon, he had you chained in dimeritium. Really has brainwashed you, hasn't he?" Dominik said, the sorceresses face fuming. He shrugged and let his arms fall to his side. "Unless you're into that sort of thing, not my place to judge-."

"You indignant little brat I will-." Fringilla hissed, before Phillipa pulled her back.

"Ladies, Gentlemen, please, we've talked enough," The sorceress said, a small begrudging look of regret shooting Dominik's way. "Come sisters, we must scale the cliffs."

Dominik could see the murderous glare Fringilla shot him, but with everything going on he didn't have the time to worry. Ciri nudged him.

"You always did have a great way of making friends," She whispered to him, a smirk on her lips.

Dominik shrugged. "Was anything I said not the truth?"

"No, all true. Some people just don't like it when they hear it," Ciri said, as Dominik sighed, rubbing the sides of his temples.

The sorceresses filed out, and Dominik kept close to Ciri with Geralt. He didn't know why he was so worried one of them would snatch her, but the feeling wouldn't go away. Ida nodded to him on the way out, he got a smile from Kiera, and Yen quickly nodded to them both. She would be back, as soon as Avallac'h left, Dominik knew, he wanted her to be as well. He wanted one final moment with them, all of them to simply be there.

His hands twitched, with each second the sun went down, the more his anxiousness rose. He couldn't do anymore; they couldn't do anymore than they already had. Eredin, Caranthir, Bella, they were all waiting for him one way or another. The wind howled, and from its trajectory and speed, Dominik had been caught in them enough to be able to tell a storm was coming, a cold one. He knew Freya had to be fussing to get the show underway, to use her weapon before the storm came. And he yearned to be with them as well. He wanted to grab Ciri and leave that tent then to join all their friends.

He also never wanted to see Avallach's smug face again.

A warm hand touched on his shoulder, followed by lips on his cheek, to pull him out of his thoughts.

"Good luck, the both of you," Triss said, and Dominik turned with Ciri, smiling at the sorceress.

She kissed Ciri's cheek as well, and Ciri hugged her. "Thank you… for everything."

"Yeah…" Dominik said, hugging her as well. Smiling as he pulled back. "If not for you, I never would have found her. And well… thanks for taking care of us when we needed it."

Triss almost seemed like she was going to cry. However, she smiled, whisps of her red hair floating in the wind. She held a hand on both their shoulders and nodded.

"I've made plenty of mistakes in my life…" She said, "but making sure you two were reunited? Taking care of you for the time I did… seeing the man and woman you've grown up to be? That's something I'll always be proud of."

"We're going to come visit you in Kovir," Ciri said suddenly, smiling at her and Dominik both. "I've always wanted to see the snows there, and I hear Lan Exeter is beautiful."

"Yeah," Dominik said as well, his excitement growing as he smiled. "Alexander was also from there… his old castle is there. We're going to make a trip up to see you, we promise."

Triss did have a small tear coming down her cheek as she pulled them both into a hug.

"And when you do, I'll make sure you have a place to stay," Triss said, pulling back from them and wiping her face. She smiled however, nodding at them both. "Be sure to keep each other close… the both of you were always so much stronger together. Keep it that way alright?"

"We promise," Ciri said softly, looking back up at Dominik.

Triss nodded, squeezing their arms once more, before doing the same to Geralt on her way out of the tent. Dominik let out a breath and met Ciri's eyes. They sparkled with a newfound fire. He had seen it since she awoke. She was ready for this fight, and he knew in return he had to be as well.

Am I ready? He had fought Eredin in the Cave of Life, defeated him. That specter had nowhere near the real Eredin's skill, but now, Dominik also knew how to control his power. If he focused, he swore he could hear his blood racing in his veins, feel it against his skin. Power was in that blood, power he had been calling on to fight, but had been controlling wrong.

It was as Alexander said, anger, hatred, it wasn't the way to use his powers.

Now Dominik knew, knew in his heart he was using them for love, and only love. To protect the woman in front of him, the woman he loved, and had been trying to protect his whole life.

She would make any wound he sustained that day worth it.

"Oh, and I forgot to mention one thing," Avallac'h droned, forcing Dominik to remove his eyes from Ciri.

Only he, Ciri, Geralt and the sage remained in the tent. Dominik rolled his eyes at Ciri, getting a small smile from her as they both turned. Dominik saw Geralt look over at them both.

"What's that?" He said, crossing his arms and looking at Dominik and Ciri again. "Your plan's missing two important elements, what do you expect Dominik and Ciri to do?"

Dominik's blood froze. This was part of a plan they discussed with Geralt. They under no circumstances, wanted Avallac'h to know about Anton's knights or Dominik charging from the hills with his friends. They also knew Avallac'h would more than likely want position Dominik and Ciri somewhere, they would hear him out, pretend to listen before Dominik informed him that wouldn't be the case.

Ciri next to him tensed, while Dominik sucked in a deep breath, preparing himself to try and hold his temper.

Avallac'h sneered in his direction. "First, your little brat will go with you and the Infantry Division. With any luck, Kilgarrah will swallow him whole."

"Not happening," Dominik said right away, working to keep his words calm. He spoke in a deep voice, narrowing his eyes at the sage. "Remember what I told you in the first conversation we had? You may think you're all high and mighty, that you can order everyone else around. But don't for one-minute think you can order me…"

"This is the best course of action you repugnant child," The sage said, his voice hard as it seemed he was reaching a breaking point. "Will you not put your arrogance aside just this once? You will march with Geralt and the-."

"You just want me with them because you're hoping maybe I'll get taken out early. Besides… I'll be damned before I march with a Nilfgaardean regiment into battle."

The sage scoffed. "You'd put our mission in jeopardy all for your prejudices? Weren't you the one who just wished to protect them from Kilgarrah?"

Dominik sneered, as Ciri gripped tight to a spot on his back before he could erupt. Her touched calmed him. This may be the last conversation you have to have with him… keep your wits about you, he thought to himself.

Letting out an annoyed sigh he met the sage's eyes. "Just because I wanted them protected, doesn't mean I'm willing to march with them… besides, I got my own plans."

Avallac'h sneered again. "Plans? And what would they be? You really think yourself so powerful, that you deigned to tell us about them?"

Dominik's skin crawled, he wanted with everything to sling his sword out across the sage's throat then. He had wanted to do that from the minute the elf woke up. He had sworn he'd never murder in cold blood, but after everything Avallac'h had done, the sage deserved it. But the more he thought about it, the more he realized it wasn't worth it. This would quite possibly be the last time he ever spoke to Avallac'h. After the battle, the sage would either leave, or attempt whatever plan he had hidden up his sleeve. So, either Dominik would never see him again after this conversation, or the next time he did, he'd be killing the elf.

Either one sounded great to him, so he bit his tongue, determined not to lose his temper. He had put up with the sage for weeks, he could stomach a few more minutes.

He narrowed his eyes at the elf. "I didn't inform you about them, because as I've made abundantly clear, I don't trust you, I don't like you, and I would have killed you when you first woke up at Kaer Morhen if I could have."

Ciri and Geralt shifted next to him, seemingly ready to stop Dominik should he lose it. However, he sucked in a breath, getting inches from the sage's face. Dominik was as tall as him. His hands curled to fists at his side, remembering the satisfying feeling of his fist slamming into the sages' nose. In that moment that he looked into the sage's pale eyes, he thought about what he discovered in his laboratory a few days prior.

For hundreds of years, the elf in front of him had stalked and tracked Ciri's line. From Lara Dorren, all the way down to Ciri now, he stalked and kept tabs on them. All in hopes of one day getting his hand on them, experimenting with them to create a genetic mix of their blood without the human DNA. To get back Lara Dorren, to create a new one to do gods know what with. It was obvious he was obsessed with her, either from some sick feeling of love, or just from how his pride was wounded when Lara left him for Cregan. Either way it was sickening, hundreds of years to track her line, obsessing over it to try and get back what he thought was his.

It made Dominik sick just looking at him.

And that was without even mentioning what he had done to Ciri.

The sage lied to her, deceived her, making her think she would be released, let back to her world, back to him, Geralt and Yen if she fucked the decerped old King Auberon.

When, just like Eredin, Avallac'h had planned on keeping Ciri in Tir'Nala forever to experiment on her and her blood. To use the child, she would have had with Auberon to control their gates to other worlds, to enslave more people, destroy more worlds.

To Dominik, all of that paled in comparison to what he put Ciri through. The months upon months of mental and verbal abuse she had to suffer, all because Avallac'h had lied, telling her it was the only way.

And the fool had the audacity to say destiny led Ciri to him. It hadn't. The proof in his lab told him that. He had tracked her for years, her ancestors for generations, and that was how he found her. Ciri was his and Geralt's destiny, not the sick elf in front of him.

Dominik finally had someone he hated more then Emhyr, more than even Eredin. At least Eredin was honest about his intentions and didn't hide them behind a guise of being 'helpful'.

They both would die. Nothing would have brought him more pleasure then, than his blade piercing the sage's neck, before going to do the same to Eredin.

But a part of Dominik didn't want to sully his blade with the blood of the degenerate in front of him.

He crossed his arms as he looked into the sage's pale eyes. "This is more than likely the last time that I'm going to be seeing you."

Avallac'h didn't flinch at his gaze, simply scoffing. "I would assume you are just as thrilled about that as I am."

"You don't seem thrilled. Have I grown on you?"

"No, with any luck Kilgarrah will swallow you whole," The elf said without blinking. "That, or Eredin will finally bring an end to you before another kills him. And I can leave with at least the satisfaction you died like your deplorable ancestor."

Dominik rolled his eyes. "Still upset that he embarrassed you I see. Kicked your ass before Eredin had to save you didn't he?"

"Your petty insults do not affect me boy as you know," The sage said, although Dominik could clearly see his eyes starting to flare. "You are nothing, but an insufferable know it all, just like Alexander was… you and Zireael are perfect for one another."

The insult to Ciri almost made him swing his fist. He kept his composure however but noticed Geralt holding out his arm to stop Ciri who's eyes burned with a hatred he hadn't seen in her in a long time. Dominik bit his tongue, looking darkly into the elf's eye again.

"Remember what I said that day in Novigrad… and don't forget it," Dominik said slowly, his hand twitching at his side. "After this is over… after the Hunt's gone… you leave. And if I ever see you again… I will kill you."

The words hung on the air, a cold breeze sweeping through the tent. Dominik noticed the small shift in the sage's eyes. He wasn't afraid. Dominik wasn't trying to intimidate him, he knew Avallac'h thought himself far too superior to be afraid.

He simply was being honest with him.

"You will try…" The sage said darkly, not looking away from him.

Dominik knew he'd get nothing else from the exchange. The moment he had been waiting weeks for was finally upon him. He was finally able to be rid of Avallac'h. He took a step back from the sage back next to Ciri. Looking down at her next to him, Dominik could see a fury building in her as well. She looked at the sage with narrowed eyes, her hands curled in fists as well. She turned her eyes on Dominik and quickly nodded. She wanted to be out of there, out of that Nilfgaardean camp quickly as well. Next to him, Geralt nodded likewise.

"Well, I won't lie and say it's been a pleasure," Dominik said to the sage, crossing his arms again.

"Good, because it wasn't," Avallac'h said dryly.

Dominik chuckled. "Well, I guess this is it then." He looked over to Ciri and gestured his head towards the tent flaps. "Come on Ciri, let's get moving, we should-."

"That," Avallac'h said, cutting him off and snapping all of him, Geralt and Ciri's head to him, "Will not be happening… Zireael will remain on the shore, where it is safest."

Dominik's mind erupted, he stepped forward to finally say damn it all and cut the sage in half. His anger, his burning hatred towards the elf finally spilled over, but it was nothing compared to Ciri next to him.

She marched from his side to face the sage, fuming. "Don't you dare deign to think you have any right to order me around! I'm going where I please, I don't give two fucks what you say I should be doing."

Dominik felt proud for a moment, seeing her stand up for herself like she was. However, Avallac'h quickly turned it back to anger as he sneered.

"I would have informed you all of this decision earlier," The sage said, his tone condescending. "However, you have all avoided me. It's been a pleasant few days, I will admit, but if you hadn't, I could have told you this earlier, but as I said… you've all avoided me."

"That's because we've been to your lab," Geralt said from next to them, stepping next to Ciri, his voice more dangerous then Dominik had ever heard it. "We know about your sick little experiments. Know about what you did to her… you're lucky I haven't decided to remove your head from your shoulders."

That seemed to finally give Avallac'h pause. Dominik looked to Geralt as well, losing the inner battle with himself to hold his temper. Avallac'h seemed to realize that if Geralt lost his temper, he truly would be in danger, with the witcher no longer holding Dominik and Ciri back.

The sage composed himself and shook his head. "It matters not. Zireael will stay a safe distance away from the Nagalfar, with me on-."

And Dominik finally lost it.

"NO, ABSOLUTELY NOT!" He said, getting inches from the sages face again next to Ciri. "I will be DAMNED before I let you anywhere near her alone. After what you did to her!? I'll sooner kill you now before I let that happen."

"He's right!" Ciri said, looking at Avallac'h and scoffing. "You have absolutely no right to order me around, to make this choice for me, I'm going to go with Dominik. And with any luck I'll never see your fucking face again."

Dominik wanted to kiss her then. For days, the plan had been simple. Ciri and he would lead Anton and his men from Cintra. They'd charge with their friends, and together with Geralt they'd find and kill Caranthir, Eredin, they'd save Bella, and this time they wouldn't be apart.

He'd be damned if he let Avallac'h ruin that. He wasn't going to let her anywhere near him, and it seemed Ciri shared his sentiment.

Avallac'h scoffed. "If that's the case, I leave now… you see Zireael, you have no choice-."

"DON'T YOU DARE TELL ME WHAT CHOICES I HAVE AND DON'T HAVE," Ciri erupted, and Dominik had to pull her back as she yelled. "I'VE HAD ENOUGH OF YOU! ALL OF YOU FUCKING AEN ELLE! YOU WON'T CONTROL ME ANYMORE, YOU NEVER WILL!"

Dominik pulled her back, because as much as he wanted to stab the sage as well, he thought for a moment Ciri might do it. Her hand had gotten dangerous close to the dagger on her hip. He yanked her back, feeling her rapid heartbeat. She wriggled in his arms for a moment, and when she looked up at him, he could see the anger had nearly driven her to tears.

It was something that he had seen her do before. She simply got so angry, so enraged tears came to her eyes. He wanted to do something for her, but so close to the battle, he had no idea what he could do. He was supposed to be focusing on the fights that were coming, on Eredin, and Bella. However, seeing Ciri like that, it took precedence over it all in that all.

He met her eyes and squeezed her arms reassuringly. She relaxed for a moment, but he saw her emerald eyes flare again when she looked over and saw Avallac'h. The sage Dominik saw still had a smug look of distaste on his face. It only seemed to anger Ciri further, as she crossed her arms and dug her fingers into them. Her bun whipped in a breeze that came through the tent, and Dominik knew that if they did have any chance, he needed to remain calm.

Geralt looked at them both, his yellow eyes narrowed with anger as he turned back towards Avallac'h.

"She's right… you have no right to order her around," He said, crossing his armored arms. "And I also agree with Ciri… had just about enough of your smug superiority complex myself."

A small part of Dominik wanted to laugh. For weeks, Geralt and Ciri both had been telling him to keep his cool with the sage, that they needed him. It had amazed Dominik how they both had managed to keep their tempers with the elf, but now it finally seemed they were losing their patience as well.

He could feel the blood rushing through his veins at an alarming rate. His hands twitched as he held onto Ciri. The sun outside was getting lower, and with each second that passed, the more his anxiousness grew. It had been like the waiting at Kaer Morhen, the waiting for the Hunt to arrive. He could see the cliffs to the east in the distance, ever the hill, the large slope that he saw in the map of Skellige, back when he planned with Anton and Crach.

Their friends were there now, waiting for him and Ciri. The idea of separating from her then, right when the final fight started, it drove him mad. The idea of leaving her with Avallac'h, alone, with nobody else but Nilfgaardean officers around made him even more mad. He could see it did the same to Ciri, as she shook with either rage or nerves next to him.

Avallac'h shook his head, turning his back to them. "Contrary to what you believe… I do have this right. For only I know how to activate the sunstone, which I will do on my terms of not at all."

"You gonna make love to the fucking thing too?" Dominik snapped. "The way you've been looking at it one would think you want too."

Avallach's head snapped to him. "Quiet you insolent brat! It is as I said. The only way we can summon the Hunt is with the Sunstone. Only I know how to activate it, and I will only do so if Zireael stays away from the battle where it is safest."

"You think she's safer with you as opposed to fighting the Hunt!?" Dominik said, as Ciri stewed in her anger next to him. "She isn't safe with you; do you think we're stupid!? I won't leave her alone with you!"

"It is your only choice," Avallac'h said with a wave of his hand, looking pointedly at Ciri. "So Zireael… do you swear to stay here on the shore?"

Dominik looked to Geralt, trying to find support from him. He met Dominik's eyes, and he could see the conflict in them. Geralt wanted to argue as well, but deep down he knew that Avallac'h was correct. The realization creeped to Dominik as well. But he didn't care. He would rather them go and run from the Hunt and fight them another time before he left Ciri with Avallac'h.

He looked at her next to him, and saw her deep in thought, however he could still see the rampant anger in her. He looked between her and Geralt, trying to find words, but with every moment of silence Dominik only twitched more.

Finally, Ciri looked up towards the sage. "Fine… I agree."

"What!?" Dominik said, getting in front of Ciri and looking down into her eyes. "Ciri are you insane!? What about the rest of-."

"Dominik…" She said, leaning towards him, low enough to where only he could hear her. "Nod yes or no… do you trust me?"

Dominik's eyes widened, but he looked at her and nodded. Of course, he did.

She nodded the same. "Then trust me here… don't worry I will be out there with you."

"And if he tries something…" Dominik said, looking back at Avallac'h, all attempts at being quiet gone.

Ciri narrowed her eyes past him towards the sage. "Don't worry… if he does, I'll kill him myself."

Dominik looked into her eyes. For so long, that was all he wanted. To simply be able to look into those eyes that he loved. When they were younger, they used to joke that they could practically read each other's minds.

It wasn't mind reading, but he could always tell what she was thinking, or what she was trying to say by simply looking into her eyes. By how fast she moved them, how wide they went, the crease of her brow, the way her cheeks relaxed or tense. He had picked up on all the little quirks of her face when they were younger, what with him looking at her so much. They were all the same now, it was as if the eight years they spent apart hadn't happened, and truly were able to pick up where they left off.

And he could see in her eyes now, she was begging him to trust her.

You'll see her out there… she can take care of herself, trust her. He knew he could, it was Avallac'h he couldn't trust, that he wanted to kill then and there.

But if Ciri told him she'd see him out there… then he would.

"So… you see the wisdom in my argument Zireael?" The sage said, interrupting the moment they were having.

Ciri's eyes flared again, the anger returning as she looked at the sage. "Do I have a choice!?"

She tore away from him, and Dominik tried to race after her. "Ciri where are you-."

"Meet me on the hills to the east… you know where," She said looking back at him. He could practically see the steam coming from her ears. Her face was red, both from the cold and from her anger. He knew exactly where she was talking about, the hill that lead up to the spot Anton, Freya, Faram and George were all at.

He quickly nodded to her, before Avallac'h scoffed next to him. "And where are you going?"

"For a walk!" Ciri snapped. "Or is that not allowed? Because you know, I could break my leg."

She gave Dominik and Geralt one last look, before turning and walking away, her sword clunking on her back. He watched her shove aside a Nilfgaardean who had gotten in her way, heading off towards the easy cliffs.

Dominik went to chase after her, but Geralt held his hand out to stop him. "Give her some time to cool off… you'll see her before it all starts."

He bit his lip, watching her walk through the camp, fists clenched as soldiers moved out of her way. Dominik sighed, knowing Geralt was right. Ciri, as well as everyone simply needed to be alone at times when they were angry. Her fire, that she used in everything she did was on of the many reasons he loved her.

"Geralt," Avallac'h said, getting both their attention, "meet me on the docks when you are prepared. Brew your substances and what-not, we begin when you come and find me."

The sage left the tent, giving Dominik on last distasteful look. Dominik watched him leave for a moment, almost amazed that it truly would be the last time he hopefully saw the sage. He wouldn't miss him of course, but it finally helped it all set in for him.

It's time… it's finally time, he thought to himself, sucking in a deep breath and turning to lean against the table. He leaned forward, looking at the swallow and his medallion falling around his neck. He had scarcely ever taken off his medallion since he forged it, and it was the same with the swallow. For years, it was his sole memento of the past, that Ciri was real, out there waiting to be found. The memory of receiving both were vivid in his mind. Climbing to the Circle of Elements, tricking the trolls before infusing his medallion with magic. That night in the cave, when he blurted out to Ciri that he loved her by accident, terrified she didn't feel the same.

She had however, and that had been one of the major steps in their journey.

And what a journey it had been for him to that point.

From leaving Geralt when he was sixteen, his first contract, the years on his own. Ellander with Freya, going from one end of the Northern Realms to the other, all the while trying to find Ciri. In that moment, he found himself remembering every little detail, every contract, every monster, every man he had to kill. The good and the bad, he remembered it all.

He could feel the farmers sword cutting across his chest at Rivia, seeing Geralt and Yennefer dying, learning from Triss she didn't know if they had survived.

The years after that had been the worst. The regret, the thought Geralt and Yen had both died thinking he was still furious with them, that he still hated them. Never had he felt more alone then he did in those months, those years. His hands dug into the table, as a shaky sigh into him. All the scars on his body seemed to flare up then, a throbbing ran down his cheek, stinging all over his body. The worst part of those years hadn't even been the scars, it was the feeling, the thought that it all would be for nothing in the end, that he would die alone.

However, it hadn't all been gloom during the journey. He distinctly remembered the bright spots. He cherished the time he spent with Freya when he first met her in Ellander. A smile came to his face, as he remembered their youthful excitement, how he could remember how infatuated they both were, and how many laughing nights they had. He could remember Shani's kind eyes and witty jokes as she stitched his arm back together, the first night he had met her. He always wondered what she had gotten up too after the Battle of Brenna, Freya said she knew her, and perhaps one day Dominik would run into her again.

He remembered the smiling faces, the tears of joy when he would find a missing family's child, husband or wife. The gratitude some people showed, after he rid their village of a monster. Of course, some had tried to cheat him, murder him after they discovered he didn't die, such was the life of a witcher.

But he had made many friends. The beggars of Ban Ard, who helped him killed the Ekimara that plagued them. Val, and her tribe of skin changers up in Kovir, after the Baron of the region had been trying to kill them. The princess in Aedirn, the family and village he'd saved from the mad Necromancer. The village, he, George and Faram had saved from the Bruxa and its thralls.

And of course, there was George and Faram as well, two friends, who had saved him when he needed it most.

He was going to let that Leshen finish him off that day, it would have happened had Faram not been there.

All those events had led him to Claywitch, and in the blink of an eye everything had changed. After years of believing they were dead, believing he was alone, and Ciri was out of his reach, he had them all back. Yennefer had saved him, brought him to Geralt, his Uncle Vesemir, he learned Ciri was alive and on the continent. The journey had put all his skills to the test.

The first visit to Vizima flashed in his mind, he remembered how brash, how over-confident, how stupid he truly was. His armor was nothing but a red leather coat, his sword the same he used when he was fifteen. Now, he had armor fit for a master witcher of the School of the Wolf, something he could only have dreamed off when he was training at Kaer Morhen.

He remembered his first fight with Nithral in Velen, when he realized, that if he truly wanted to save Ciri, he needed to be better, to train not just physically, but mentally as well after being almost killed by Nithral.

The Baron, the Fiend in Crookback Bog, Novigrad, fighting Menge, helping Triss get the mages out of Novigrad, it all had been more tests, tests to see if he was ready for the moment he found Ciri, and the true fight began.

He could also remember that cave near Oxenfurt with George, his first fight with Bella. He could remember how confused he was that she knew so much, and how terrified he was by the power that was unleashing inside of him as they freed Dandelion, as he saved Priscilla and they set sail for Skellige.

Gripping harder to the table, he controlled his breathing, as he remembered the anger, the regret, the pure feeling of failure when they didn't find Ciri in Lofeton.

But then, every single bit of pain, every day he spent alone, every wound, it all had been worth it on the Isle of Mists, when he got to hold her again.

He was surprised at how long ago the Isle of Mists actually was. It had been almost a month; he had her back for almost a month now.

He thought about every kiss, every hug, every moment he made her laugh, every time they had made love, held one another in bed. He remembered the cave, learning she had been with someone else, hearing about all she had gone through, telling her about all he had done.

But none of that mattered, because all that mattered was the here and now.

His leg tingled, the wound on his thigh aching. Geralt had told him he suffered a similar wound years ago, on Thanedd when he first fought Vilgefortz. Geralt's injuries had been just as substantial, as the mage shattered his tight bone and elbow, but thankfully with Triss there, other mages, and with the help of dryads he was able to heal.

He told Dominik that the throbbing would never go away, as it hadn't for him either and that he would simply have to learn to live with it, to adjust to it. Dominik had done just that, his powers growing each day.

You must be in complete control of your emotions. True control of your powers my boy, comes from controlling your mind, from thoughts of love, happiness, goodness, it lets you see clearer and achieve that control! Alexander's words echoed in his mind.

Ciri, Bella… my family… that's all I need, he thought to himself, as he sucked in a breath.

Bella.

She would be here, and he couldn't run from her, he wouldn't. He remembered when he met Elise again in Novigrad, and she asked him a simple question.

I know my sister… and she's in there, he thought again.

He would get Bella back, he would kill Eredin, and he, Ciri, Geralt, all of them would walk out of that battle alive and well.

All the contracts, all the training, the pirouettes, goes on the pendulums, all the heartbreak, all the love, every single moment of his journey, had led him to that very moment.

And if he weren't ready after everything he had done, he would never be.

"So, got everything you need?" Geralt said, making Dominik nearly jump. His father smirked, coming up next to him and smiling at him. "Swords sharpened; dagger sharpened? Got bombs, crossbow loaded?"

Dominik found himself frantically checking his belt. He tightened the strap of his crossbow; he had been sure to give it a fresh coat of paint in the small bit of free time he did have. When he heard he was going to be closer to the Black Ones, he made sure to make the Temarian coat of arms more visible.

He had promised Elise he would take care of Arno's weapon, and use it to beat back the Hunt, so that was what he'd do.

Geralt smiled amusingly as Dominik fiddled to strap his armor tighter and adjust the swords on his back. He had them sharpened the previous day, and his armor polished. The Wolf Armor had seemed to be morphed perfectly to his body shape after wearing it for so long. He was still amazed at how lightweight it was. That combined with the new wolf emblem carved into his steel Ciri had done for him, he looked like a true witcher of Kaer Morhen.

It had been one of his dreams, other than being with Ciri. He wanted to be a witcher, save people like Geralt did. Leave the world a better place than when he came into it.

Sighing he met Geralt's eyes. "Actually, forgot about bombs… haven't made an oil in weeks. Strange… I relied on them for every contract the last eight years."

"Getting silver has its advantages," Geralt said amused, his smile not leaving him.

A silence passed for a moment. Dominik could remember first seeing him again, seeing his adopted father, the man who had saved him. He would never forgive himself for not going with him, after Geralt searched months for him. He accused Geralt of not caring enough about getting Ciri back, after he suggested they head back to Kaer Morhen to regroup in the winter.

He had only been sixteen, but it still wasn't an excuse.

And despite it, Geralt still came to find him in Ellander, and when he was a brat and refused to go with him, he still never pushed him. If Dominik had gone with Geralt, who's to say he wouldn't have died at Stygga Castle, or who's to say he wouldn't have survived, and been able to join Ciri in her world hoping adventures.

None of those what ifs mattered now, they were all there now, and that's all Dominik cared about. They were going to survive that day; he knew they were strong enough.

So then why are my damn arms still shaking?

"Geralt…" He said softly, turning to meet his father's eyes. "Am… am I ready for this? Have… have I trained enough, prepared enough? Do… do you think I'm ready?"

Geralt gave him a small, bemused smile. "No," He said, quickly shaking his head when he saw Dominik's eyes widen. "Nobody could ever be, not me, Vesemir, not even the strongest men could ever be fully prepared for something like this."

Dominik's skin crawled as the wind nipped at his nose. He shook his head, desperately meeting Geralt's eyes. "Then… then what do I do?"

Geralt shrugged. "We don't know what's going to happen when the Hunt arrives… all we can do, is trust in ourselves, the people around us…. And we're going to be just fine. You and Ciri… you're going to be just fine."

"How can you be certain? You just said there was no way to be fully prepared."

"Because… if you two stick together, you'll be fine. And I'm going to be there for you every second I can," Geralt said. He smiled, and it sent warmth through Dominik's bones. Geralt stepped forward, meeting his eyes and gripping his shoulder. "Besides… this is all right up our alley, our bread and butter."

Dominik scoffed, crossing his arms. "Fighting the Wild Hunt? Super powerful elves that are somehow eight feet tall?"

"No…" Geralt said. "Killing monsters, saving people. We're witchers, that's what we do… that what you do, that's what you are. At the end of the day Dom… you're a witcher, and a damn good one at that."

A smile came to his face. "I had good training."

"A teacher is certainly made to look better when he has good students you're right," Geralt said, a small laugh coming from them both. He smiled at Dominik softly again. "I'm proud of you… really damn proud."

He didn't need to say anymore. Dominik knew Geralt wasn't exactly one for long speeches unless he had to, and Dominik didn't need to hear anymore than that. He of course had heard Geralt say it before and loved it each time. When he was younger, he always had a lingering suspicion, that Geralt had only taken him when he found Ciri and he because of Ciri's insistence. He thought at times Geralt may have thought him a burden, one that he was forced to take on.

Ciri was his child of destiny, she was the one who became linked to him by the Law of Surprise. Dominik was just a normal child, nothing to him at first. It had led Dominik to running himself ragged in training, yearning to hear Geralt's approval, to prove that he belonged at Kaer Morhen, deserved to be taught by him.

The whole idea was ridiculous, and he learned that in his later years, but he always found himself looking back on that time and comparing it to now.

He felt his eyes sting for a moment. "Thank you… for taking me with you that day."

"One of my greatest accomplishments…" Geralt said slowly, and Dominik laughed, knowing he was mocking how Dominik always said that when people called him 'Geralt of Rivia's son'.

Geralt looked like he was going to say something else, but Dominik cut him off by hugging him. For a moment Geralt got caught off guard, but soon hugged him back, squeezing his shoulders.

"We're going to be alright… all of us," He said, squeezing him tighter.

"Yeah…" Dominik said, pulling back from his shoulder. "We will be."

He truly hadn't spent that much time with Geralt since they found Ciri. Dominik hadn't spent too much time with anyone outside of her since they reunited. Everyone understood, especially Geralt and Yen why it was like that. It had been eight years… eight years apart from one another, so both them and their friends understood that for now, especially with the threat still looming they wished to spend as much time together as they could.

However, just like always, Geralt would always be there.

"Ahh how touching, look at my two men," A light voice said.

Dominik let go of Geralt, and they both turned to see him smiling, beautiful, adopted mother. Yen grinned at them both, hugging and kissing Geralt first, before she turned to him, sighing, as she reached around his neck and hugged him.

"Look how much you've grown…" She said, her voice soft, the smell of her perfume hitting his nose.

Dominik blushed, he remembered how much of a shrew he thought Yen was at first when they met. Even with Ciri's insistence he hadn't budged at first at his distaste for her. It was partly because she took up so much of Ciri's time to teach her magic, it was also how intense she was, how pushy and stubborn she was.

However, Yen had been determined to connect with him, stubborn to the point where she followed him into the market that day when he was trying to find something for Ciri's birthday. Yes, his adopted mother was one of the most stubborn people he had ever met.

And he had come to love her for it, love her like she was truly his second mother.

He also happened to inherit that stubbornness, which he always thought was one of his most endearing qualities.

"You know… you said that too me when you saved me," He said, pulling back and smiling at her.

Yen smiled at him, frantically adjusting the straps of his armor, fiddling with the collar of the tunic under his armor. She readjusted the swallow and his medallion around his neck, and Dominik felt like he was young again, his mother prepping him for one of the royal balls at the palace.

He found it endearing, because he could see the small bit of worry laced in Yen's eyes behind her normal confident stare.

"I remember… you couldn't stand me when we first met," She said softly, smiling at him, finally seeming to be happy with the position of his collar and armor.

Dominik chuckled. "I couldn't you're right… but now I don't know what I'd do without you."

Her smile grew as she sighed. "So, everything prepared? Swords sharpened, no holes in the armor? Crossbow loaded? Oh, and what about-."

"Yen," He said softly, cutting her off with a smile. "I'm alright. Geralt already went through it with me… I'm as ready as anyone can be."

"Good…" She said softly. She leaned and kissed his cheek, pulling back from him. He could see what all the things she wanted to say in her eyes, she didn't even need to utter the words. She nodded at him and seemed to be fighting back either an avalanche of words, or tears. He gave her a smile in return, they didn't need to speak.

There was nothing either of them could say now about how they felt that Dominik didn't know.

He had made them both proud, that's one of the few things he had ever wanted for.

"So," Yen said, falling back next to Geralt, a sour look coming to her face. "I ran into Ciri on my way here… she told me what happened. That arrogant ass… I don't like the idea of him being alone with her, not after what we found in his lab."

"I said the same thing…" Dominik said, his anxiety rising again.

Geralt looked at them both and slowly shook his head. "I don't either… but this is the only way right now. She's smart, she'll look after herself. All we can do is follow the plan, finish this, and then we can finally get out of here."

He sighed, knowing Geralt was correct. Looking out he could see the sun was setting, a beautiful orange sunset was cast out over the water. The water that would soon be covered in ice, fire and riders of the Wild Hunt. With each second that passed, he found himself itching for the battle to simply begin more and more.

The sooner it started, the sooner it was over, one way or another.

"So, Dominik, have you and Ciri decided what you'll do first?" Yen said, pulling him out of his thoughts again.

He looked up and saw both she and Geralt looking at him.

She smiled and chuckled at his surprised look. "Ciri said that you're waiting a bit before returning to Claywitch for Fiona. Any plans for beforehand?"

He managed a chuckle as well. The thoughts of afterwards, what he and Ciri would do when it was finally all over had been what drove him. For so long he had been fighting, working towards one goal or another. First, after Cintra, it had been to train, train to be a witcher so one day he could hunt down the knight in the winged helmet who killed him parents and tried to kidnap Ciri. After Ciri had escaped, for eight years his goal had been to find her. Now he did find her, and ever since, it had been killing Eredin, defeating the Hunt so they could get that life.

Dominik had no idea what a life without a goal like that would be like, but all he knew was that he was looking forward to it with Ciri next to him.

He smiled and met their eyes. "Well it's like you said, three months, that's how long before we go and get Fiona…. Before that well… I'm not sure. Ciri mentioned she may want to go to Kovir, visit Triss, see the snow. Or who knows, maybe we'll just wonder around killing monsters for three months."

Any of those options sounded amazing. It was what was always meant to be, what they had always wanted. It was what they deserved after everything they had been through. After all they had suffered, all they had fought, all that had happened, they were going to get the peace that they deserved.

And Dominik frankly didn't care then who stood in their way.

"That sounds intriguing… hope you got room for one more for a few weeks," Geralt said, a smirk on his face, sharing a knowing look with Yen.

If Dominik had been eating anything, he would have spit it out.

"One more? What are you talking about?" He said, his voice sounding like a child who was getting a new toy, as he knew full well what Geralt meant.

Yen smiled at him. "Well, Geralt and I… we decided that after this we're going to go away. Don't worry, not away as in you won't see us… simply away from all the fighting, court politics and scheming."

"Yeah, maybe Kovir, Spalla, Zerrikania," Geralt said, a genuine smile on his face. He looked down at Dominik first however and smirked. "I know you spent eight years on it, probably got a good handle on things, but well… I thought maybe I could join you both for a few weeks. Show you a few things you may not have known, help you build up some coin… what do you say?"

"What do I say?" Dom asked incredulously. "I say of course! Ciri and I have always wanted that, ha… Yen what about you?"

The sorceress laughed but smiled at him. "Oh, I don't think the Path quite suits me. I will go and find somewhere suitable for Geralt and I. After that I'll come find you all. I don't know if I like the idea of us all separating but well-."

"We'll always find our way back to each other," Dominik said slowly, his heart beating a mile a minute, the smile unable to leave his face.

Ciri and he had always dreamed of hunting with Geralt. From the moments they begun training, heard the stories, they had one day wanted to join him, fight monsters, sleep at inns, laugh and drink by a fire. Warm boots by a fire, good wine, Geralt, Ciri, the Path, Fiona down the line, it all sounded too good to be true. It was one of those things that may sound crazy to others if he told them it was his dream.

However, it was within his grasp.

One more fight, one more push.

He had been fighting since he was eleven years old, fighting monsters, men. What was one more fight?

What was one more monster to kill?

"Speaking of finding your way back to one another," Yen said, getting his attention. She smiled at him, sighing as she pointed towards the camp. "You should go find Ciri before you meet up with Anton. She was quite agitated when I saw her, you always knew how to calm her better than we could."

Dominik's brain thumped inside his skull. It was as if someone had smacked him upside the head with a hammer. He looked out at the camp, and saw men still scrambling, and eyed the cliff where he knew Anton and his friends were. Ciri had told him to meet her on the hills that would lead up there, his skin tingled, he could feel his chest pounding, urging his legs to move.

You're as ready as anyone can be… there's nothing else you can do, he told himself. Biting his lip, he looked at Geralt and Yen, both of whom smiled and nodded at him. Dominik walked over, hugging them both again.

"Thank you both… for everything," He said, pulling back from them, his heat continuing to race.

Yen reached out and cupped his cheek. "Of course, darling… we love you, remember that."

"Yeah… I'll see you out there," Geralt said, nodding at him, a reassuring smile on his withered face.

Dominik nodded, letting out a breath he had been holding. He sucked in another as he stood in the entrance to the tent, looking out over the camp, out over the bay.

His cheek tingled; the jagged, still red scar caught his vision. If the sun hit the red mark at the right angle, Dominik could see it, feeling it when he moved his cheeks. The cream that Ciri convinced Avallac'h to let her use had worked wonders, but it would be a few weeks, perhaps a month or two before the scar ended up looking less jagged, and more like Ciri's. It seemed to shudder at that moment, along with his inner thigh, the wound throbbing at the worst time.

He ignored it however, because the one who gave those scars to him was coming. The one who had been responsible for Ciri having to flee, who had tormented her. It wasn't just Avallac'h who forced Ciri to stay in Tir'Nala, it had been Eredin as well.

The King didn't just want to use and kill Ciri, he wanted to then invade his world, his home, kill or enslave all its people, before going and continuing to do it to other worlds.

And to top it all off, he had turned his sister into what she was. The image of Eredin striking Bella across the room, forcing her to betray Kilgarrah, planting fake memories into her head, it all came to him. He thought about it, about all he had done, and his anxious nerves, his pent-up worry, it all turned to one thing.

To rage, to determination, he channeled it throughout his body, throughout his soul. He thought about every person in that world he considered a friends, he thought about their friends, their loved ones, he thought about his own, and about all the millions who Eredin wanted to enslave, and all the people he had already been responsible for killing.

Folan.

Vigi.

Arno.

Declan.

Thousands more he didn't know the name of.

And of course, worst of all, what for Dominik, took precedent over all the things Eredin had done, one thing stayed at the forefront of his mind.

He wanted to take Ciri away from him, to hurt her. Dozens of peoples, Vilgefortz, Leo Bonhart, Emhyr, Mistle, Avallac'h, and he was sure even more he didn't know about, had tried to hurt her, to use her, manipulate her, take advantage of her.

Dominik hadn't been there to help her, to protect her against any of them. The Cave of Life showed him that vision of Ciri in Tir'Nala, her and Mistle for a reason. It was one of Dominik's greatest fears, facing what happen to her, the fact he hadn't been there.

However, he had conquered that challenge in the Cave of Life. He would never forgive himself for not being there for her.

But he was there for her now.

He let out a slow, steady, relaxing breath.

A surge of magic shot through his body. Small tendrils of magic exhumed from the corners of his eyes. They looked like small blades of bright blue grass releasing from his eyes, he felt power surging inside him, his limbs thumping, ready for action, ready to fight.

He had done what Alexander said, memories and thoughts of happiness, of love, goodness.

Memories of Ciri, of what their life would be like afterwards.

With another blink, he felt the magic will to his command and it disappeared from his eyes.

Complete control of his mind, of the power in his blood, and Ciri had been the key.

Of course, she had always been the key to most things for him.

XxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxX

Ciri hated every single one of them. Every single one of the fuckers she walked past with that fucking golden sun painted on their armor. She knew deep down some of the men there were probably good people, they hadn't done anything to her.

However, it didn't stop her in that moment from hating all of them that she passed.

Most of their eyes went wide. They pointed at her and whispered.

The Emperor. His daughter. Our future Empress.

She shot cold glares at any man who spoke. The last thing she wanted right now, what with her rage boiling was to have to deal with Emhyr and what he wanted from her.

Eredin was going to die that day, the Hunt was going to be destroyed, and she was going to take Dominik, her friends, her family, and she was going to fucking leave. Her and Dominik were going to travel the Path. In the first week, she had full intentions on spending it in a comfy roadside inn, spending all day either making love, eating or taking a bath. That, perhaps a contract or two to get some initial money, that was what she wanted in her first week, she already had it planned.

And she would not be told otherwise, not anymore. She was finished listening to other people choosing her path, what she would do.

Avallac'h had finally made her snap. She wanted to finally be rid of the sage, rid of Emhyr, rid of the Lodge of Sorceresses, rid of everyone who wanted to try and control what she did. It had been the same way for her whole life, everyone always had plans for her, what they wanted her to do.

Well now, she had plans of her own, and she had full intentions on seeing them through. After this battle was over, she would finally have that freedom, her life with Dominik, the life they always wanted. Geralt, Yen, their friends would all be there, they'd go and get Fiona, train her, raise her to be a witcher, give her the life they had always wanted. They'd go from one end of the continent to the other, seeing all the exotic places, hunting all kinds of monsters.

And most importantly helping people in need, truly in need, and they'd have the freedom to do it however they wanted.

All she had to do, was stomach one more order, one more thing she didn't want to do, but had too for the sake of everyone else.

If Avallac'h got too close, she'd kill him, it was a simple as that. She was finished holding herself back.

The Hunt wanted her powers, and she was going to give it to them.

She found a suitable spot at the base of the hill. It was a good distance away from the main camp. A small dock led out on the cold water. The breeze was refreshing, she always did prefer the cooler weather, fall was her favorite season. Summer was too hot, winter too cold, spring brought out too many monsters, fall was perfect. George had told her, that Toussaint was the perfect climate, a perfect mixture of cool and hot days.

Perhaps her and Dominik's adventures would take them there. She didn't really care in the end, if those adventures were with him, and it was truly what they wanted.

She couldn't stop looking out over the bay. In a short amount of time, she'd return to Avallac'h, help him summon the Hunt. After that, she wasn't sure what she'd do. Somehow, she would end up on that battlefield. Dominik, Geralt, all their friends, they would all be out there, and Ciri wouldn't leave them alone.

Dominik would fight Bella, possibly Eredin again. She didn't know if she could bring herself to raise a blade to Bella again, but she would have no problem doing to so to Eredin or Caranthir. She wasn't stupid, she knew Avallac'h was keeping her close, trying to keep her alive for whatever it was he wanted her for. Ciri didn't know if it was to sacrifice her, force her to fuck him or someone else, but no matter what it was she didn't trust it.

There was nothing the sage could show her, that would make her trust his intentions. She wouldn't be fooled again by him.

She sighed, picking up a stone from the ground. With a flick of her wrists, the stone skittered across the surface, sending satisfying ripples across the water with each skip.

A smile managed to cross her lips. Dominik had shown her how to do that, and she could remember the memory vividly in her mind.

They had been in Ellander, a few months before she left for Thanedd. It had been a beautiful fall afternoon, they were at the lake, Dominik had surprised her with a picnic as he often liked to do. They fished, swam, picked flowers and ingredients for potions. Dominik had skipped a small stone across the water and Ciri was utterly fascinated how he managed to it.

So, for the next few minutes, young Dominik and Ciri skipped rocks across the lake. Well, Dominik skipped rocks, Ciri's had more often than not sunk to the bottom, causing large splashed and no doubt traumatizing several families of fish. It may not have sounded fun to other people, but to Ciri it had been a day out with the boy she loved.

The best part had come however, when after almost half an hour of failure, Dominik tried to explain to Ciri what she was doing wrong. Ciri in her frustration tossed and rock against the wall, agitated. Dominik had smirked at her, before failing on purpose, and splashing her with water from his mis-thrown stone. The water splashed her, getting her attention again, before Dominik had yanked picked her up and tossed her into the water himself. That had begun a several minute-long wrestling match in the shallows of the lake, both laughing, trying to pin the other.

It ended with several moments of kissing, and simply floating in the water together, Ciri with a feeling of utter bliss.

We'll have plenty more like that… I promise, she thought. The smile stayed on her face as she looked down at stone she gently twirled in her gloves.

Not sure why she did it, she bit down on her lip concentrating on the stone. She summoned her chaos, she let the magic flow through her veins, all of it directing to her palm. Small streaks of blue light appeared in her eyes, she focused on the stone in her hands. It lifted off her palm, magic enveloping it, hovering in the air.

This had usually been the part of her training, where she'd fail. When she had been training with Avallac'h or by herself, by now the stone or whatever she was trying to carry or control normally fell, and she'd be left wondering how in the world she'd ever achieve control.

But she titled her head, the blue magic swirling more in her eyes when the stone didn't fall.

She turned her hand over, before holding out her palm, and to her complete shock, the stone stayed afloat. Magic continued to encase it, and before her luck could run out, she shot her hand forward, flicking her wrist.

How… how did I, her thoughts wondered off, as the stone shot forward. It skipped along the water, sending the satisfying ripples across the water before it disappeared out of view.

Her eyes widened, and the shock of what she just did finally set it. The magic disappeared from her, and she stumbled backwards, her mouth agape as she looked down at her palms, small wisps of her magic still whirling from it.

She had just used her powers, and she had felt in complete control.

"I… what… how did I…." Her words trailed off. The reality of what she had just did sunk into her, it raced through her mind, along with a hundred other thoughts.

This was something she had been trying to do since she was 14, when she first met Yennefer in Ellander. Control of her powers, so that she could effectively use them to protect herself, to hide them, and to make sure she didn't hurt anyone else with them. It had been a dream of hers, a want, a need. For the previous weeks she had slaved through Avallach's teachings for this very moment, she had thought the sage was actually helping her make some semblance of progress.

But she had been by herself, thinking of her and Dominik as children, smiling when she finally was able to achieve control.

Her eyes widened at the realization, something Dominik told her the night after the trip to the Cave of Life rang through her mind.

Alexander told me control of my mind, my emotions is the only way I can achieve complete control of my powers. Memories of love, happiness, goodness, they're what helps the magic flow, lets me calm it and tame it. So, it looks like you again are gonna be saving me all the time!

Ciri had found it incredibly sweet, she kissed him for it, and it had led to a very pleasant night in bed for them both. She hadn't thought much else on it, other than how sweet it was of him to say that, but the more she thought of it now, the more the idea came to her head.

If there's one correct thing Avallac'h taught me… it's that the Elder Blood is fiery. But if I can tame it… control it…

She stood up straight, looking around her and frantically reaching to the ground, picking up several decent size stones. It was far away enough from the camp that she knew no soldiers would see her, even if they did, she quite frankly didn't care. Ciri moved the rocks in a large circle around her, before rushing to stand in the middle of them. She felt the cool salty sea breeze hit her face and sucked in a quick breath.

Am I really trying this? She thought. Minutes before the battle… and I really attempting this?

She had promised that if Eredin wanted her powers, she was going to give them to him in full force, and if this worked perhaps, she truly could.

Standing in the middle of the circle, Ciri raised her arms, breathing out through her nose. Gently controlling her breathing, she did the same thing she had done with the rock. She focused her chaos, focused on the magic, the power in the blood rushing through her veins. Soon, just like before, small wisps of blue magic started to appear in her eyes, traveling up her arms and down her legs. Her hands started to shake, her vision becoming that bright blue color, before she closed her eyes and focused.

Memories of happiness, of goodness, think Ciri, she said to herself.

The memory was burned into her mind. She saw herself, standing a few feet away from Dominik, who was laughing as the snow fell around them. Recognizing Claywitch, Mikel and Danara's laugh, she smiled when Fiona's excitable laugh hit her ears. She watched the memory unfold with a smile, as Dominik hefted Fiona onto her shoulder, laughing and spinning her, as the young girl did the same, trying to yank him back down into a pile of snow.

Her future, the two of them.

She watched as Dominik spun Fiona, before scooping Ciri up into her arms and tossing them all into the snow pile. She saw the Isle of Mists, Dominik crying in front of her, holding her and squeezing her, before Geralt came and joined their embrace. Kaer Morhen, before the battle, seeing Yennefer, Triss, all their friends for the first time in years.

She saw the family dinner the first night in Novigrad, learning the news Dominik and she had a child surprise, she saw their first-time making love, the day before with Freya on the hill. She could hear all their friends shouting 'Aen Hanse', and even times simply laying in bed with Dominik, or talking to Geralt, Yen, simply being with the people she loved.

And finally, her eyes opened in a shot of blue, streams of magic poured from her and she raised up her hands, squeezing them into fists. The rocks around her obeyed, lifting into the air and staying put as she opened her fists. Feeling a surge of energy shoot through every limb in her body, she spun in place, firing her hands at the cliff behind her. With a loud *BOOM* the rocks slammed into the side of the cliff, sending up a giant puff of smoke, as Ciri felt the magic slowly leave her limbs, but still churning in her veins.

The smoke cleared, to reveal a hold in the cliffside, with a rock wedged into it, the others she had tossed sprawled and charred on the ground below it.

"It worked…" She said, breathing heavily not from fatigue, but from disbelief. Ciri scoffed in amazement, running a hand through her ashen locks. "I did it! I… I fucking did it!"

She felt her mind completely abuzz. She had to go back to the camp, she had to find Dominik, Geralt, or Yennefer, yes, Yen was the one she wanted to see the most in that moment. For years she tried to teach Ciri to use her magic, but she had never been able to learn, and now, she had finally done it. Yen would be proud, Geralt would be proud, and gods Dominik!

He would do that thing he always did when she accomplished something. He'd say her name excitably, get a big goofy smile on his face and hug her. She had loved that more than almost everything he did.

Not only would that happen, but if he truly had been able to control his powers as well, with the battle about to begin, Eredin didn't stand a chance. If the two of them fought together like she planned, and both had complete control of their powers, they could have-.

"Uh…. Mi… Milady a… a moment if you please!" A voice cut her thoughts off.

She whirled around, and all semblance of joy she had been feeling at that moment turned to anger, and annoyance. Three Nilfgaardean soldiers stood before her, one wearing the cape of a scribe and a simple cloth tunic, a small sword at his belt. The other two flanking him wore full plate, halberds in their hands, and swords at their sides.

No… not now, I won't let it happen, she thought angrily. She wasn't going to let him ruin things, not now.

"What do you want!?" Ciri said accusingly, her voice sharp as she narrowed her eyes at the man.

The man was scrawny, clearly a scribe and not a soldier. He had a clean-shaven face that was drooping, with multiple age lines and wrinkles, it was clear he was near retirement age. She could also see a mane of long grey hair slicked back behind his pointed hat. His knees hobbled, and he seemed to even have trouble standing upright. Bringing a man like this to a battlefield… you fucking bastard, Ciri thought. He cleared his throat, cautiously eyeing the sword on Ciri's eyes. Clearly, he was frightened by the task.

Despite his freight, the man cleared his throat again. "I… I am an envoy of… of his Imperial Majesty. The Emperor of Nilfgaard, lord of Metinna, Ebbing and Gemmera, sovereign of Nazair and-."

"Let me save you a lot of trouble friend," Ciri hissed, trying to control her temper at the obviously afraid old man. She knew how terrifying Emhyr's gaze could be. "You and your two friends can go back to Emhyr and tell him that I said he can fuck off. Tell him that he'll never be seeing me again. Tell him, he is no father of mine, that I think he's nothing but a degenerate bastard. Tell him, that if he ever sends assassins after Dominik again, I will find a way to kill him myself," Ciri said, her voice dripping every word as she turned around from the group. "And also tell him… I said good luck against Adda… because he's going to need it against her."

Ciri didn't care what she said to Emhyr anymore. The battle was so close, so near, that he would never have time to pull his forces out before they summoned the Hunt, and if they tried, they would be ridden down and killed by the riders, or by Kilgarrah. No, she could say whatever she pleased about Emhyr now, and she had no problem letting him know he'd never see her again.

She turned, to see the men shocked into silence. The two soldiers behind the scribe, shifted uncomfortably in their plate, the eyes he could see widened in disbelief. Clearly, they had never heard anyone speak of their 'precious emperor' that way.

I wonder if they know what he tried to do to me… if any of them know, she thought.

The soldiers, however, were nothing compared to the old scribe. The poor old man nearly fell from freight, his knees practically clacking together. His skin went pale, nearly white now as he looked at Ciri with wide eyes. Pleading eyes. The wrinkle lines in his face were scrunching together, as his mouth was agape, as if he were looking for words. The man clearly didn't belong.

He managed to sputter out words. "M…Milady pl…please… please… the… the Emp-. I… I mean his Imperial Majesty… he… requests your presence on the eve of the battle… to speak. Pl… please we… we… can't keep him waiting… please."

Ciri's tough outer exterior started to crack as she saw the state of the old man. She bit her lip, anger and annoyance still bubbling in her head and chest. She took in the old man's wrinkles, his wobbling knees, his pleading eyes. Tears nearly streamed from his eyes. Never in her life had she seen a man that age cry, and she determined she didn't wish to see it. She could easily hear the meaning behind his words.

Would Emhyr really punish this man for failing to bring me to him? She thought on it for a second, before scoffing mentally. Who are you kidding yourself Ciri… he'll probably have this man tossed in a dungeon for that.

She wanted to help the old man, she could see he was clearly distressed, while the soldiers behind him looked angrier then shocked by Ciri's words now. Her skin crawled, like a thousand small insects were crawling up her skin. She thought back to Stygga Castle, when she had first met Emhyr, and heard his intentions for her, the disgust and revolt, the fear she felt. It still haunted her dreams some nights, him trying to drag her from there to rape her, force her to marry him and have his child. It made her hate Nilfgaard even more, what people could follow a man who tried something like that?

But they probably don't even know… this man in front of me doesn't know.

Either you die here, or you escape… and I have you out there, it had been what the third specter she faced in the Cave of Life told her, the final of her three greatest fears she had to face.

I killed him there… defeated that fear, she said in her head.

She looked back out over the bay, the bay in which only moments, the Wild Hunt would appear. She'd face down monsters who had been trying to kill her, chased her for years intent on using her for their own gain.

It seemed that day, that Ciri could take down two people who tried to do just that instead of one.

Turning her head back to the scribe, Ciri slowly nodded. "You know… I think you've convinced me… come, let's go see his Imperial Majesty."

She spit out the words with as much disgust as she could muster, but it didn't matter to the scribe. He let out a breath of release, and gestured for Ciri to follow, the soldiers glancing at her with malice as she followed.

The battle would begin soon, but Ciri would make sure this didn't take long.

She had face him in the Cave of Life. She had to do the same now. It was another monster she needed to face.

First, she would face down Emhyr, then the Hunt. Her skin crawled at the thought of being in the same room as him.

But she found solace, knowing this was the last time she'd ever see him, she'd make sure of it.

She was a witcher, facing down monsters was what she did.

XxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxX

The tent was more lavish then the rest, a large red flap in the middle, held up by multiple wooden support beams. They hadn't traveled far, apparently Ciri had passed the command tent without even knowing. She cursed her luck. It had probably been one of the muttering soldiers who ran scurrying to Emhyr to tell him she was passing through camp.

And they more than likely knew it was her because she made the mistake of not killing the one assassin that had attacked Dominik and she on the frozen lake. She had decided to try and do something good by letting the man go, hearing his humble pleas for mercy, swearing he'd never return to Emhyr.

But Ciri learned then, that some people were simply fantastic liars.

A small part of Ciri wanted to use her newfound control of her powers, to teleport through the tent, cutting it and Emhyr down. She'd use her magic to flip his table, his chairs, his desks, all of them smashing into him, killing him. The closer she got to the tents entrance the more and more she considered it, the more she wanted to do it, yearned to do it. The man deserved to die a thousand deaths for what she had done to Cintra, burning the city to the ground, ordering the deaths of Dominik and his entire family, because of a petty annoyance that Pavetta had always trusted Gregory more than him.

I hope Dominik doesn't learn he's here…. If Dominik figured out Emhyr was right under his nose, and lightly guarded for his standards, not even the impending fight with the Hunt would have stopped him from killing Emhyr then.

As much as Ciri would love to let him, or do it herself, they couldn't afford it now. If they did, the whole camp would turn against them, the whole fleet, ruining all their plans. No, she had to think of the bigger picture.

Emhyr would get what was coming to him, whether it was from her or Dominik down the line, from Adda, from his own nobles, he would pay for all the atrocities he was responsible for. It was simply how the world worked, or at least she hoped.

"Pl… please remember to… to bow before his Imperial Majesty," The old scribe said in front of her, the two guards left outside the tent.

"Don't push your luck," Ciri hissed at him, feeling bad right away when the man recoiled.

The man gulped and quickly nodded. Ciri wouldn't bow, she learned from her grandmother, that bowing was a form of respect. The men in Cintra had bowed to her because they respected her.

Emhyr was the last person that would earn her respect.

The old scribe entered the tent, leaving Ciri outside it for a moment. Her skin continued to crawl, her gut wrenching. She didn't want to enter. Every cell in her body, told her to turn and run. She wondered if Dominik had reached the spot where she had been on the hill. If she weren't there when he got there, she assumed he would have torn the entire camp apart until he found her.

Make this quick then… come on Ciri.

If she was strong enough to face him in the cave, then she could do it now. If she was strong enough to tame and control the powers inside her blood, then facing Emhyr wouldn't be anything. She had fought through more than the man could ever dream of. She was strong, stronger than he would ever be able to hope.

He wouldn't control her.

She took the steps forward, pushing aside the flap to the tent, and right away Ciri almost regurgitated everything she ate the previous few days.

The tent was lavish, a large desk with a battle map, a small desk that the old scribe stood next too. She spotted a large comfortable looking bed, multiple shelves with armor, swords, books, a couch was in one corner, along with a suit of fine Imperial armor. It was clearly the best tent in the camp, but Ciri still felt like getting sick.

Particularly when Emhyr, who sat in a large, lavish chair in the center looked up at her.

His eyes met hers, as the old scribe started speaking in Nilfgaardean, clearly reading off the monster's titles. As he spoke, Emhyr didn't stop looking at her, and Ciri's brow twisted into a scowl. She suddenly yearned to have Geralt next to her, or Dominik.

No… you can do this yourself… you can do this, she thought to herself quickly, strengthening her nerve.

She could do this, she had to. That day she would defeat two enemies who sought to use her, had chased her for her entire life.

But Emhyr's dark eyes were unnerving, his lips stayed in a straight line, but Ciri could see the smallest semblance of a smirk, a disgusting smirk that made her want to smash the desk he sat at into him. She wanted to call on her new powers, blast the footstool near the bed and implant it into his skull.

How could the man in front of her be her father? The fact she came from someone so cruel, so despicable, it almost made Ciri recoil.

"And… and as you asked your Imperial Majesty," The scribe said, back in a language she could understand as he looked at Ciri. "Your daughter miss-."

"I'm not his daughter," Ciri snapped at the man, turning her narrowed gaze to Emhyr, who had raised an eyebrow. "Don't fucking call me that."

The scribe paused, quickly sitting down in the desk, dipping the quill in ink. Ciri wondered for a moment, before realizing he was more than likely scribing the conversation at Emhyr's orders, thinking it was the current Emperor and future Empress.

Emhyr finally scoffed at her. "I see you still have that same temper… it reminds me of your mother."

Ciri bit down on her tongue. She remembered what Dominik had learned, that Emhyr was the reason her mother was dead. Her father was the reason she grew up without a mother.

She met his eyes, her gaze still hard. "You'll find I have a lot more qualities you dislike."

"I'm sure," Emhyr said, leaning on his hand in his chair. He narrowed his eyes at her. "You killed my men, slaughtered three of them-."

"And I should have killed the fourth," Ciri said sharply, "and I'll kill any other man you send after Dominik and me. And I'll kill you if you continue to try and send assassins after him."

A silence hung over the air, save for the scribe, slowly scribbling the notes of the conversation down on his paper. Ciri could see the quill shaking rapidly, the man was still horrified.

Emhyr stood from his chair, the mention of Dominik seeming to stir something in him. For the first time she saw a flicker of annoyance in his eyes.

"Gregory's little brat has poisoned your mind," He said, but waved his hand dismissively. "But he will be dealt with in due time… we must now discuss the reason I called you here."

Ciri's fists curled into her arms. "I know why you called me here… and I only came, so I can look you in the eyes, and tell you, with all sincerity, that you can go fuck yourself. You'll never see me again after this is over."

Emhyr snarled, and Ciri regrettably saw it looked just like her when she did. "I am your father as well as your Emperor girl. You will show me the proper respect that entails!"

Ciri snarled right back at him. "You're no father of mine, I thought I made that clear. And as for you being my Emperor? Well you're not mine, my Queen is Adda of Redania, the one who's going to kick your ass, that is if your own nobles don't kill you first."

"That will not happen, I am their lord…" Emhyr said, his voice growing dark. He walked around the desk, eye to eye with Ciri. "As for you I'm surprised at your selfishness. Here I am offering to make you Empress of this land, all of it…. And you spit in my face. You can do good for this land… as I have."

She felt her mind finally erupt. Everything played in her mind again, Stygga Castle, the sack of Cintra, Thanedd where he had helped Vilgefortz pull his coup. All the years of him chasing her, what he wanted to do to her, him trying to drag her from the castle.

Her eyes shot open, and the anger swelled inside her. She could see magic whirl up in the corner of her eyes, the power flowing freely through her veins. It felt more like it normally did then, all the times she failed to control it. Ciri guess it had to do with her anger.

But she didn't care now.

"Cut your bullshit, you fucking degenerate!" Ciri spat, looking up at her father, as his eyes widened at her tone. "You don't want to gift the me the continent! You don't give a damn about the people, what happens to them. You've started two fucking wars completely unprovoked, put them through years of war and torment! You only care about yourself, and now, your sins are finally catching up to you! The nobles are seeking to depose you, they're trying to overthrow and assassinate you even.

"I'm not some stupid little girl you can control and manipulate anymore! You don't care about gifting me anything. You just want me so you can use me to save your own ass!"

"You don't know what you're talking about you ignorant child," Emhyr spat, his hands behind his back as he looked down at her, his eyes fuming. From his steely, angry gaze, Ciri could tell she had been correct in everything she said. "You will become Empress because that is what I your father will! The witcher, and Gregory's little brat have poisoned your mind. You will obey, and we will do something about that disrespectful little tongue, this is no way to speak to your father and-."

"YOU ARE NOT MY FATHER YOU BASTARD!" Ciri erupted, the magic swirling more in her eyes as she smacked aside a goblet of wine that had been on Emhyr's desk. "Gregory, Geralt, Dominik, they're three times the men you'll be in your miserable life! WHAT KIND OF FATHER TRIES TO RAPE AND MARRY HIS OWN DAUGHTER!?"

The words made the tent silent again, she heard the clunking of armor outside the tent. Clearly her scream had echoed throughout at least a bit of the tent. The quill of the old scribe stopped writing, as he looked up at Emyr and she, a look of horror in his eyes. Ciri almost chuckled out loud.

Of course, none of them know… why would he tell them.

A new look of rage appeared in the Emperor's eyes. He sucked in a breath, his nostrils flaring as he glared down at her, clearly trying to intimidate her.

"You will never speak of that again girl," He hissed.

Ciri scoffed, crossing her arms. "Oh, so you haven't told many people have you? You haven't told them, that you sacked Cintra those years ago to get me? That you wanted to get me, in order to rape and marry me, your own daughter, and that you chased me again for years to do exactly that? That once you did find me, you tried to drag me form Stygga Castle screaming and crying?"

"I left you be, you ungrateful child…" He said, his voice dark.

"Oh, how fucking kind of you," Ciri said darkly. "If not for Yennefer, and for Geralt calling you out in front of all your men, you would have drug me along for your sick plans…. I wonder how many of your men now, would want to follow their glorious Emperor, if they learned what he tried…. Or better yet, I wonder if me and Dominik's personal friend Queen Adda would like to know this information, I wonder what she could do with it…"

Ciri didn't know where her confidence came from. She assumed it was from the years of pent up frustration and rage. A normal person more than likely would have been executed by now.

No, he needs me… he needs me too bad, she thought, a smirk coming to her face.

Emhyr's eyes were even darker than normal as he hissed every word. "You are an ungrateful little brat. You obviously have such disdain for me, but you would turn down the opportunity to help the people of this land?"

"I'll be able to help them just fine… as a witcher," Ciri said, narrowing her eyes one last time at the man. She had already spent more than enough time there. Shaking her head, she sneered in disgust. "All your life, you've tried to control more and more and more. I've seen what power does to people, they turn them into monsters like you. But let tell you this father no matter how much land you conquer, no matter how many men you control… one thing you'll never control is me. All you'll ever be… is 'Duny' a cursed hedgehog."

"ENOUGH OF THIS!" Emhyr screamed, raising his hand from the right.

Ciri was much quicker, magic flashing in her eyes, she saw Emhyr come with an open-handed slap. She raised up her own hand, magic enhancing her movements she gripped tight to his wrist, spinning and twisting it around his back. Emhyr grunted in pain, and Ciri heard a crack, as she yanked up on the wrist. She heard another satisfying crack, and shoved Emhyr forward until he went tumbling to the table

With a crash, the table and map fell, the old scribe in the room yelped as Emhyr tumbled into a shelf behind the table, his elbow broken, a large bruise forming on his forehead.

He really tried to hit me… pathetic man. Sweat beat down Ciri's forehead, as she watched Emhyr scramble, grunting in pain as he clutched at his wrist. She looked out over the camp. She could see the sun setting and the wind stirring.

It's time… he doesn't matter anymore, she thought, looking back to Emhyr wincing in pain.

She could hardly believe she saw such a truly pathetic man as a threat. She decided then and there that she would help Adda, her and Dominik would go to the Queen.

And they would help her end the man before her.

An idea popped into her head; she didn't know if it would make any difference, but she shot her gaze over to the scribe anyway.

"You there!" Ciri said, making the man flinch. "You're a royal scribe are you not?"

The man crumpled under her gaze but quickly nodded. "I… I am milady yes."

"Responsible for writing down and keeping records for the crown yes? Taking down royal orders?"

"Those… those are some of my duties yes milady," He said, his quill shaking.

"Cirilla!" Emhyr bellowed, managing to get to his feet. "What are you doing girl!?"

Ciri glared at him, before going back to the scribe. "Good, then you should follow my orders yes, write down what I say," Ciri said, turning back to Emhyr, "because after all apparently I am your new empress."

Emhyr looked confused for a moment. "Cirilla what are you-."

"Is that correct?" Ciri said, cutting him off and looking at the scribe.

The old man quickly nodded and Ciri smirked, turning back to Emhyr. "Good, now listen to what I say and write down every word. As your new Empress, I am ready to give out my first royal decree."

Emhyr hastily stood again. "What are you doing girl!? You have no-."

"Write down, that I, Empress Cirilla Fiona Elen Riannon, herby accept the title of Empress of Nilfgaard." Ciri said, looking at the old man quickly scribble with his quill. She then turned to narrow her eyes at Emhyr again, meeting his hard, challenging eyes. "My first royal decree… is to immediately abdicate the title of Empress, back to my loving father, Emhyr Var Emreis."

Emhyr's eyes widened, as she realized what she was doing. "Cirilla! As your father I forbid you from-."

But Ciri felt the words pour out of her, as she looked Emhyr dead in the eyes. "Furthermore, let it be known, that again I, once again being Cirilla Fiona Elen Riannon, of sound body and mind, herby relinquish any and all claim to the throne of Nilfgaard. I shall hold now lands, nor titles in the Empire, from this day… until my last day."

The scribe looked hastily up to Ciri, and to Emhyr, seemingly terrified of them both. However, he slowly scribbled the words. Before Emhyr could do anything, Ciri snatched the quill from the man, and came around his desk. She signed her name at the bottom of the page as hastily as she could, and stood up, Emhyr's eyes wide and furious.

"You have no idea what you're doing girl! I am your FATHER!" He yelled, as Ciri walked past him, to the exit of the tent. "YOU WILL DO AS I COMMAND! I AM THE EMPEROR YOUR-."

"You're nothing… you'll always be nothing…" Ciri said darkly, the rage simmering to a soft boil. She stood in the tent's entrance and turned to face her father one last time. "This is going to be last time you see me…. You dug your own grave father now you can lay in it. I won't be the one to bail you out…"

And with that she walked out of the tent, leaving Emhyr, and the terrified old scribe.

She sucked in a breath, finally feeling a sense of calm overtake her. It was a she said, it was too late, the battle was due to start in minutes, Emhyr would have no way to move all of his troops out before the Hunt arrived, and even if he tried, he'd be surrounded by both the Hunt and all of Skellige's forces.

And he also wouldn't want word of how Ciri embarrassed him to get out. He was going to try and cover it up, his pride wouldn't allow it to get out.

She didn't focus on him; however, she was finished with him. She looked up on the cliff she knew Anton and all her friends were on, where Dominik would be. Thinking of him, of them, of what they'd finally be able to do spurred her forward.

First Emhyr… now time for Eredin, she thought, walking at a brisk pace, heading towards where she told Dominik to meet her. Her stomach churned, the realization of what she did setting in, but she pushed it aside. She wouldn't give Emhyr that satisfaction.

She had control now, control of the thing that plagued her for her entire life, and she was going to use it.

XxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxX

Dominik's anger boiled as he walked through the camp towards the hills. He tried to move fast, knowing looking too much would do exactly what it was going now. He couldn't focus on Nilfgaard now, not with the battle beginning soon.

However, when he saw the slaves, the servants, his fists curled. Nilfgaard was known for slavery, the Northern Realms had many faults at their peak, but that wasn't one of them.

The Hunt also kept slaves.

First the Hunt… first save Ciri, save Bella… Emhyr will get what's coming to him.

He tried to push all thoughts of Nilfgaard out of his mind, no matter what most of these men had done nothing wrong to him. So, despite the fact he hated seeing that golden sun, he focused on what mattered then. He took in long deep breaths, trying to keep the fragment of control he felt. He could feel his powers, feel his blood whirling and churning within him. His limbs were itching, ready for the fight to finally begin. He didn't know if it were because of his anxiousness, or if it could possibly be from the fact, he knew he'd have to fight Bella soon. Both their powers clashing against each other could kill them both.

But it wouldn't come to that, he'd get through to her, he had to.

"And I'm going to make them all pay…" He said slowly, letting out the breath he had been holding.

He looked out over the bay again, he scowled as he spotted Avallac'h watching out over the docks. He was sure Geralt was still spending some time with Yen, so he probably had a few more minutes at most. Under his breath he cursed, picking up his pace. Anton would be waiting, and he needed to see Ciri before-.

"NO! NO, NO PLEASE! PLEASE I DID NOTHING WRONG I SWEAR!" A loud scream cut him off, and Dominik saw a whole of five soldiers carrying a screaming man.

He pulled to a stop, as they passed him, having been so wrapped up in his thoughts he almost didn't notice. The soldiers seemed to be in a particularly foul mood, as they drug the thrashing man. Dominik caught sight of the man's face. He was balding, grey stringy hair, wrinkly eyes and face. It was clear the man was well past the age he should be near a battlefield, and it was also clear he wasn't a soldier. He had on simple clothes, the type he'd seen on scribes running about the camp, and when he was in Vizima. Three more guards walked in front of the others dragging the poor old man, one with a large axe, one with a wooden block, the other with rope.

The old man continued to scream as he was dragged, he looked and saw Dominik, his eyes widening.

"HELP! HELP ME PLEASE! I DID NOTHING WRONG I ONLY WAS DOING MY DUTY!" The man yelled, trying to run towards him before he was yanked back. He yelled out in pain and shook his head. "PLEASE! PLEASE YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT HE'S DONE! IF WHAT I HEARD WAS-."

One of the soldiers in front of him shouted back in Nilfgaardean, turning back and punching the old man's face. Blood sprayed to the ground, and Dominik's stomach twisted when the man's body went limp and unconscious, blood trickling from his mouth. His fists curled, as the one guard dragging the now unconscious old man scowled at him before they continued dragging the body towards the lake.

Dominik's fists shook, shaking his head in disgust. Poor bastard… what kind of man goes through with something like that? He pushed the thoughts from his mind, he needed to focus. The Hunt would be there soon, he needed to find Ciri and-.

"You! You there, Dominik of Cintra!" A voice shouted behind him. "Hold a moment, if you'd please!"

"You've gotta be fucking kidding what now," He said under his breath, turning to the source of the voice.

He turned around, just before he could see the guards toss the old man's unconscious body to the ground, setting him up on the wooden block. Dominik swore that he saw the one with the axe practically licking his lips. However, he pushed it to the side, he had no idea what the old man had done or not done, but he couldn't worry about that right now.

"Ah, I appreciate you stopping," The voice said again, and Dominik's eyes narrowed when he saw the man. "You can be a very hard man to track down Dominik of Cintra."

Dominik remembered the man, a rat like face with slicked back brown hair, a hairline way too far back for someone the man's age. He had been the one to ask Dominik questions in Vizima while his beard was being shaved. Right away, alarm bells started ringing in Dominik's head. Was the man going to ask about Ciri? It was a given that Emhyr and the rest of the camp knew she was there, that Geralt and he had found her. The assassin they let go had gone and blabbed right back to them. It was hard enough for him to focus on Eredin and Bella, he didn't need to be worrying about Nilfgaard then, he couldn't afford to have his focus shifted.

However, a small nagging feeling in the back of his head was insistent. How would they get Ciri out after the battle? They were surrounded by hundreds of troops, would Emhyr try to take her as soon as the fighting was done?

Dominik narrowed his eyes at the man, he was smiling way too wide for his liking. He couldn't remember the man's name, but he stood a few steps away from Dominik clearly expecting him to say something, to remember his name and engage in the conversation.

But Dominik didn't.

The man laughed nervously and held out his hand. "Ah how terribly presumptuous of me. It has been quite a while since we saw one another. Morvran Voorhis, commander of the Alba division."

He didn't say anything again. Crossing his arms, he looked at the man's hand out in front of him, before narrowing his gaze back up at the man's face. A part of him expected Morvran to get angry, to sneer at him, give him that condescending look of superiority that most Nilfgaardeans he met did. However, Voorhis seemed to understand, pulling his hand back and looking at Dominik again.

"Don't really care who you are to be honest," Dominik said, a bit of his anger leaking out. "What do you want from me?"

Voorhis nodded, a small smile on his face. "You have disdain for the Empire, I can see that. And I can even understand why. You know, however, not all of us are as vile as you think."

"Yes, but the ones at the top making the decisions are," Dominik snapped, shaking his head. "I don't have time for chit chat, what do you want from me?"

His mind was quickly abuzz. He was sure that the man was going to go on some long-winded explanation of what would happen after the battle. He'd explain to Dominik where the Emperor wanted him to take Ciri after the battle, what would be done to him after that happened. Dominik was sure if the man said that, he'd finally lose his temper, and possibly not have only the Hunt but all the Black Ones descending on him as well.

"Aha… you are a busy man, especially now I understand. I will be brief," Voorhis said, a smirk on his face as he held both hands behind his back. Dominik thought for a moment he was reaching for a weapon, but the man simply kept smiling. "I simply wished to offer you my congratulations."

"Oh?" Dominik asked right away.

Voorhis looked around them. Dominik heard a loud squelch, it made him, and it seemed Voorhis as well both flinch. He knew the sound; it was one he had heard far too often.

He didn't need to look, to know the soldiers had taken the old man's head from his shoulders.

"A damn shame… barbaric if you ask me," Voorhis said, as Dominik turned back to him.

A scoff left him. Did he really just hear a Nilfgaardean general call what was no doubt a punishment from Emhyr barbaric? No, he had to have heard wrong. There was no way one would disobey Emhyr so blatantly. He pushed the thoughts from his head as quickly as they came.

The Hunt is coming… you need to get to Ciri.

But he looked at Voorhis and couldn't hold his tongue. "Of all the things Nilfgaard has done, that's barbaric to you? I've seen near whole villages burned, looted, hung and quartered. I've seen your men take slaves, butcher villagers… that's all barbaric if you ask me."

"And I'd tend to agree with you. Unfortunately for my conscious, and yours, orders like that are out of my control," Voorhis said, waving his hand. "But we can speak of that later. You ask me why I congratulate you… why I congratulate you on succeeding in the mission you set out from Vizima on."

The words hit Dominik like a brick. Right away his muscles tensed, and he could feel magic zipping through his veins like rapids. He met the general's eyes, and he could see the man was being serious, he could see it. How could a man so clearly be talking about a sensitive topic, but sound so genuine?

Again, he couldn't worry about it.

"Don't know what you're talking about," Dominik said, his voice low and steady. He didn't remove his eyes from the generals as he shook his head. "I'm here to fight the Hunt… don't got no idea where Ciri is."

He could tell, that Voorhis knew he was lying. Dominik also knew that Voorhis as well as Emhyr knew Ciri was in that very camp. A cold chill washed over his spine, but the chill was overtaken by his bubbling anger. Here they were on the verge of a great battle with the Hunt, and they were worrying about Nilfgaard?

Biting his lip, he adjusted the straps for his swords, his hand close to the crossbow on his hip. His silver dagger was sheathed across his lower back, two weapons he could reach quickly. There was no telling what Voorhis would try, and he was preparing himself for anything.

However, he wasn't ready for what the general did.

Voorhis met his intense gaze, taking a step closer, and speaking lowly so only Dominik could hear.

"Ah… well that is most… unfortunate," He said, his eyes not leaving Dominik's. The general shrugged. "Hypothetically speaking of course… Cirilla being here, being brought to his majesty… truly might have been the only way to appease the nobles… put a stop to their plans to try and depose him."

Dominik looked at the man cautiously and spoke low as well. "Yes… my heart bleeds for the poor, poor Emperor. Now what is it you want?"

"It is as I said!" Voorhis said, sighing a bit too dramatically to be real and shaking his head. "I meant to congratulate you on completing your mission but… if you haven't succeeded. If… Cirilla truly isn't here, truly hasn't been found well… I dare say that is trouble for our Emperor! Not only now, will he have to work to pacify my father and other nobles… but there is a new ruler in Redania we must contend with. Yes… Cirilla not returning… it seems her… 'missing', will how you say… throw a wrench in his plans."

He said the word 'missing', clearly with more meaning behind it. What is he playing at?

Voorhis knew as well as Dominik did that Ciri wasn't really missing. He knew that she was in that camp where they stood, more than likely not far from them at all. Too much was happening too fast, and Dominik quite frankly didn't have time to try and discern what the man was trying to say.

Meeting the general's eyes, he got closer to the man. He was just as tall as Dominik was. They were eye level, but Dominik was far more armored then the man, who wore a long-armored tunic over mail, a broadsword at his hip. Dominik's two swords must have looked at least somewhat imposing.

It didn't matter if he looked imposing however, because he wasn't going to deal with Emhyr or the Empire then. He quickly glanced towards the hill, Anton would begin to worry soon, and he still needed to see Ciri.

"Look, I don't know what you're trying to get at," Dominik said darkly, "but I'd prefer if you spoke normally, and told me what it is you stopped me for."

Voorhis held his hands up in surrender and jokingly laughed again, infuriating Dominik further. The general however, suddenly stopped, and took a step closer to him again.

"Aha… why, I am simply trying to console you! Surely you must be distraught, that Cirilla is still… missing."

"I cry myself to sleep every night," Dominik said, scoffing as he shook his head. "I've had enough of this, if you don't have anything to say I'm leaving, I-."

"And not only is it bad for you… but it is very bad for his majesty as well that Cirilla is… 'missing'," Voorhis said, stopping Dominik from walking away. Dominik paused, and turned back to the general who smiled. He took a step closer to Dominik again and smirked at him. "Why… hypothetically, if Cirilla stayed… 'missing', why, it would cause the Emperor much strain. He'd have to deal with the disgruntled nobles back home, and an enemy he greatly underestimates in the North."

"Adda's going to kick his ass, make him look like a fool," Dominik said sharply, his eyes questioning. "Emhyr's biggest mistake would be underestimating her."

"Aha… our Emperor is great… but he is blinded by arrogance," The general said, his voice sharper now as he narrowed his eyes at Dominik. "There are… more than a few in the Nilfgaardean court who have come to… disagree, with how he had handled his reign some… wish it to come to an end. And well… again… it is quite unfortunate for him Cirilla is still… 'missing'."

"Yes… again my heart bleeds for him," He said back, shaking his head. "She won't be there for him to abdicate too… she can't bail him out of his mistakes."

Dominik made sure to give his words extra meaning, as the general had been doing to him. It was obvious to him what the general was trying to say, he was trying to insinuate that he didn't mind that Ciri didn't come to Emhyr, that he would actually benefit from the Emperor being unable to abdicate.

But why… what are you up too? No! Dammit, he needed to get to Ciri, he'd be damned if he didn't see her before it started. She was going to be there fighting with him eventually, he knew that. But all he wanted to do was hold for a bit longer, perhaps pretend that they were simply exploring the cliffs, a romantic getaway. He couldn't do any of that however, with a scheming Nilfgaardean in front of him.

Voorhis eyes him again, the general's eyes narrowing.

"Yes… it would be a particular shame if… hypothetically someone did find Cirilla, found her and… took her away, far from the Empire, which I am sure she wouldn't mind… and kept her missing."

His eyes slowly widened, as he finally could unravel what the general was really trying to say. He's telling me to take Ciri… to keep her far away from Nilfgaard… why in the world would he be doing that? He was Emhyr's top general in Vizima.

Dominik slowly shook his head. "What are you trying to-."

"Hypothetically… if this person and Cirilla stayed… 'missing," The general cut him off, "it would cause the Emperor to not be able to abdicate as you say. And well… the discourse amongst us nobles would continue, and perhaps well… a new Emperor will be chosen… the right choice."

You mean you… clever man, Dominik thought. He didn't care a single bit what happened to Nilfgaard, or Voorhis. However, he did swear one day he'd live to see Emhyr dead.

Seeing him deposed, his throne taken from him, however, would give Dominik just as much satisfaction. But what would happen if Emhyr was deposed? He didn't know anything about the man in front of him.

"That all sounds so tragic," Dominik said dryly, shaking his head at the man. "Well… I don't know where Ciri is but… I do know she's good at staying 'missing' when she wants to be."

"A woman of many talents I'm very sure," Voorhis said, the smirk growing on his face. He let out a fake laugh. "Aha… again so tragic she is still 'missing'… you know her well as you say… do you think she will ever be found?"

Dominik scoffed. He still didn't trust the man, not a single bit, however he saw the perfect way to end the conversation. Not only did it finally let him go and see Ciri then… but it planted a small seed in the back of his mind. Here was a high ranking Nilfgaardean noble and general, all but telling him to keep Ciri away from Nilfgaard, and that it could lead to Emhyr's downfall.

Perhaps that day, he could kill Eredin, and finally deal with Emhyr as well.

Dominik cleared his throat, still staring pointedly at the man. "I obviously hope she's… found yes. But I must admit… I don't think so. Ciri's the type of woman, who's going to forge her own path… if she wants to stay 'missing'… then that's how she'll stay."

"And you believe that's what she wants to do? Stay… 'missing'?" Voorhis asked again, more pressingly this time.

A scoff left Dominik and he nodded. "Yeah… I think that's what she wants… I don't think you… or Emhyr will be seeing her again."

"A shame then…" Voorhis said slowly, the smile staying on his face as he waved his hand. "Well… I believe I have taken up enough of your time. My condolences on your… failure in your quest Dominik of Cintra… I do hope the upcoming battle fares better for you… good luck."

And with those words the general turned and left. After Dominik finally digested what happened, he turned, just in time to see the old man's headless body being tossed into the sea. Even Voorhis had called it 'barbaric'. Was the man being genuine? Did he genuinely think that, or would he just be another Emperor in the same mold as Emhyr if he ever came to rule?

Dominik didn't know enough and didn't care to find out. He could spot Avallac'h on the docks, his hands twitching around his staff, clearly eager to get going. His thoughts shifted back to the elf, and he found himself grunting in annoyance.

Surrounded by enemies on three sides….

Avallac'h, the Hunt, the Black Ones, all enemies of his. All people who wanted Ciri for something. So many people, for so, so long had wanted her to be safe. She was the only one, the only one who could ever understand him, truly, utterly understand his pain, his suffering, his trauma.

He was a changed man, thanks to her. Even since he found her, everything had been different. The feeling of having one person who understands you completely, truly, truly understands, was one of the greatest feelings in the world. That person being the love of your life as well? Well, that was simply a bonus.

It didn't matter how many enemies surrounded them, as long as they stood together, as long as he stood, they'd be together.

And perhaps one day, they could finally heal from everything that had happened. Physically, and emotionally.

XxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxX

Ciri's blood still raced from the events in the tent, Emhyr's dangling, broken wrist was burnt into her mind. Would that piece of paper she signed even matter? Did she condemn that poor scribe to death for simply being a witness? She tried to push all the thoughts from her mind as she came to the dock again, right near the slop of the east hill. In her palms swirled magic. Her eyes were closed, she thought of that first night back in Novigrad, her and Dominik settling into their room in the Chameleon, kissing and holding one another for warmth as they drank and fell asleep. She knew the tattoo, the wolf head on her inner wrist would be there when she opened her eyes. The memory was real.

That made the stone hover calmly in her hand, and when she opened her eyes, she shoved her hand forward. She smiled, as just as before, the stone skipped across the water.

Complete control.

"I did it… I really did it," She said to herself, a smile forming on her lips, which turned into a smirk.

She had finally gained control of her powers. She had taken care of Emhyr, even if her signing that paper did nothing, she would never see the man again. One monster had finally been slain.

And soon Eredin would be dead… one way or another.

She'd be happy, Dominik would be happy, Geralt, Yen, all their friends.

Ciri and Dominik, they'd get the happy ending Ciri knew they both deserved.

The wind was calm, too calm for Ciri's liking. Soon it would be a hailing gale. As annoying as she found the sage, Avallac'h had been right. Eredin wouldn't be stupid enough to come with just the Nagalfar. More ships would appear, and then of course there was Kilgarrah.

And Bella.

Bella. Ciri could hear her, see her smiling, everything they had done when they were younger. It was another person, who by association with her, was condemned to a fate which some may have found worse than death.

All the more reason Ciri would avenge her today.

"There you are, sorry I'm late," Dominik's soft voice said behind her.

She shot to her feet, dropping the next stone she had picked up. He walked up the dock next to her, and just like always Ciri found herself smiling when he was around. His soft hair blew back in the wind. It had gotten longer in the last few weeks, it was a mess as per usual, but somehow the look was handsome on him. It fell perfectly around his head, a little longer now. She'd have to give him a haircut soon, she used to do that for him when they were younger.

But still he was beautiful. Ciri still couldn't find any other way to describe him as the orange rays of sunset glew off his handsome face.

His eyes glew, and if she narrowed her eyes, she could see small wisps of blue magic in the corners of them. Was he controlling his powers then as well? Ciri had trouble focusing on that because she was too focused his chiseled face. Strong jaw, high cheekbones, the only blemishes being the long scar on his right cheek, and a few smaller faded ones. Some women may have found the scar off-putting, but Ciri found it handsome, especially since she knew where he got it from. He had always told her, that one of his favorite features of her, was the scar on her upper lip. He said it was cute and flared up whenever she was angry, happy, when she smiled or frowned, he teased her about it, which annoyed her, but she also found it endearing.

She would never forget what he said to her when he first woke up at Kaer Morhen, after Freya had saved his leg, after he fought Eredin to keep her safe.

He had smiled through his pain, and at the fact they had matching scars now. Remembering it still made Ciri smile then. They both had scars marring their faces. Both had gotten them in a fight for their life. Both had gone through hell. Both had done horrible things in order to survive and get back to where they were. Both were ashamed, still haunted by all the things that happened, that they had to do.

They were far from perfect, but they were perfect for each other.

That was all that mattered to Ciri.

She didn't even say anything, her entire body shook as she met him in a hug in the center of that small dock. His armor clunked, but she didn't mind. It was still amazing for her to how much of a man he looked like then. Eight years prior, the last time she saw him before the Isle of Mists, he had been a young boy. A boy who had seen more than most yes, but still a boy. A boy she had been madly in love with, enamored with from the time they first met.

And now he was a man, in full Mastercrafted witchers armor, two swords, a medallion. He was a man now, she was a woman, it still baffled her, because it felt like yesterday to her they were children in Ellander with Geralt and Yen. She felt the coldness from the wind, and from the chains around her neck, holding the witcher medallion he had gotten her, and the ring.

They may have changed, but the ring and the swallow stayed, the love they had for each other stayed, through all eight years apart, it had stayed.

She pulled back, looking at that goofy smile he had one his face. He looked like he was about to say something, but she kissed him to stop him. Ciri didn't want mindless words to bog down that moment. All she wanted to focus on was him, so she forced down the anxiousness billowing in her gut from what she had done a few minutes prior.

Like always his kiss was sweet, a drug that Ciri was addicted to and wasn't afraid to indulge in whenever she saw fit. She pressed her lips against his with everything she could muster. There was so much she wanted to say, and barely enough time to even scratch the surface. How did you explain to the person you loved that how much they meant to you? It was probably easy for most people, and Ciri probably could have figured it out if given more time.

However, they didn't have time then, so Ciri settled for trying to put it all into that kiss then. Dominik never had trouble telling her how much she meant to him, each time it made her blush and fluster like a young girl. She always had trouble stringing the words together however, it annoyed her because she loved him equally as fiercely as he did her, possibly more she dared say.

But she'd figure it out later, perhaps Dandelion could help her learn to turn her feelings into words. For now, however, she knew she didn't need to say much.

She reluctantly removed her lips from his, and smiled up at him, ignoring the bubbling pit of anxiety in her stomach.

He got that goody smile for a moment, but soon tilted his head. "What is it? You got that look on your face."

"What look?" She said quickly, not removing her arms from his neck.

He sighed but smiled, his hands exploring up and down her back soothingly. "That look you get when you want to tell me something, but you think you're bothering me. What is it?"

She bit her lip, he really did know her better than anyone, possibly even herself. She relished and soaked up the feeling of his hands on her back. He explored every little nape, and Ciri wanted more than anything to be back in their room at the inn, back in Chameleon in Novigrad. Anywhere would have done, as long as it was with him.

There was so much that was itching at her. What would Emhyr do after her display in the tent, had she doomed them to fighting off assassins for the rest of their lives? What would he do when Bella showed herself? And what about Eredin? How would she get by his side again?

The entire moment was far too much like what happened before the Battle at Kaer Morhen for her liking.

But she didn't want to worry about any of it. She met his eyes and shook her head, keeping her arms wrapped around his neck.

She looked deep into his eyes, the eyes Ciri always loved because they so perfectly matched hers. Ever since they were young, she'd be able to tell what he was thinking, what his emotions were just by his eyes. He could do the same for her, it was simply a testament to their bond, it was a way Ciri knew it was real.

Now she could see the worry in his eyes. It was a cute thing he did. Whenever he thought she was even mildly inconvenienced, upset, or anything of the like he'd right away drop everything to make her feel better. No matter how he was feeling at the moment, he always did everything he could for her.

Ciri had promised she'd repay him somehow, for everything, and she knew exactly how she'd do it. She'd do it by giving him the life they both deserved.

A happy ending.

She looked at him, a smile slowly forming as she saw the look, he gave her. "I don't want to talk about it right now… I just want to be here with you okay? Were Geralt and Yen alright?"

Just like always, he knew he'd respect what she said. He would ask her more later, and she'd tell him more later. She'd let him know what happened with Emhyr later, let him know about all the things she'd been thought up for them to do later. She'd get to show him how she could control her powers now later, perhaps within the hour. She wouldn't be tethered to the shore; she was going to be sure of that. He'd see it, there was no need for her to explain it to him then.

No extra words were needed then. She just wanted to be there with him.

He met her eyes with a smile. "They were alright. Geralt's going to speak to Avallac'h when we're ready, probably going to be starting soon."

"Then you'd better kiss me now," Ciri said, her voice soft. She smiled at him, reaching one of her hands around to hold his cheek. "You'll need to be getting up to our friends. And if Avallac'h needs me to help activate the stone I should head there…. The sooner we get started, the sooner we're finished."

Dominik didn't lean in and kiss her, but she didn't expect him too. He narrowed his eyes, squeezing her tighter. Ciri could practically sense his anxiety, his nerves. She knew leaving her there, was the hardest thing he'd have to do. However, she needed to make sure that he was focused on the battle, on surviving.

She meant it when she said she'd deal with the sage when he made his move, kill him if she had too.

"Still don't like leaving you here with him… at all," He said slowly, sighing. "He's going to try something Ciri, you know, I know it, everyone does."

"And it's like I told you, I'm a big girl, I can handle him," She said, trying to sound reassuring. Ciri smiled and gently stroked her thumb along his scar, meeting his worried eyes. "I'll be alright, I promise."

"And when he does try something? Tries to take you when we're all distracted," He said, his voice sounding worried.

Ciri narrowed her eyes. "Then I'll kill him, simple as that. Besides… nothing is going to take me from you all again, nothing and nobody. I promised, didn't I?"

"You did yeah…"

"And you trust me, right?" She said, the smile not leaving her.

Dominik sighed, leaning down and kissing her. It only lasted a moment before he pulled back, a smile forming on his face. "I do… more than anyone. I… I just don't want to leave you here… I want you out there with me. As weird as it sounds, I'd feel safer with you in the middle of the fight with me as opposed to being on the shore."

Ciri scoffed a laugh. "Ha, and I'd rather be out there with you then on the shore you know that. But listen to me… I will not let anyone take me; I won't leave… not for anything."

"And even if you did… where you go… I go," He said, his fingers idly playing with a loose strand of her hair.

Ciri smiled and nodded, leaning up and kissing him again. "Always…. It's like I said before. After this… we start our life together, just like we always wanted."

"A life if fighting deadly monsters, traveling from musty inn to musty inn," He said, a smile coming to his face now as he held her. "You know, the Path isn't as glamorous as you think."

"As long as I'm with you, it'll be everything I ever wanted," She said, the words spilling from her, as her spine tingled. Meeting his eyes again she shakily laughed. "I… I know that well... I'm not particularly good with words, I… I want you to know well... obviously, I love you, I… I love you so much. So… so much to… to the point where I… dammit I don't know how to explain like you do, what I mean to say is that-."

"Ciri… it's okay. I know," He said, smartly cutting her off before she could ramble again.

She finally sighed with a laugh, looking down as her boot. She could feel her forehead leaning against his. Biting her lip, she thought about what to say. Here was the man she loved, going into battle against the Wild Hunt for the second time, again without her. When she spoke, she tried to reassure him but if she blinked, she could see Kaer Morhen, the sword entering his leg, cutting across his cheek.

He squeezed her holding her tight in an embrace that Ciri didn't want to leave. All she did was listen to the sound of his steady breathing, the wind howling, the waves rushing under the dock below them. She didn't have the energy then to try and form words, so she wrapped her arms around his neck and squeezed with everything she had. She placed a kiss on the side of his neck, getting a small laugh out of him, she knew that always did.

Pulling back, she saw his smile, the smile that had saved her some nights she was on her own. The thought of him, Geralt, everyone, it had gotten her through the hard days.

Getting back to that moment then, there with them all, but particularly with Dominik, it was what she had fought so long for.

And she was going to be damned if she let anyone, whether it be Emhyr, the Hunt, or Avallac'h take it from her again.

She slid her hands down his chest, grabbing onto both his hands. He smiled at her. Had she always found that smile so entrancing? She could remember when he was younger, he had a rounder, chubbier face much like she did. From the moment Ciri had seen him she was enamored, particularly when the first thing he did when he saw her, was worry about her falling from the balcony. She made him chase her through the halls of the castle for several minutes, and the first thing he did wasn't asking her what her name was, why she had thrown an apple at him.

No, the first thing he did was make sure she was okay. She loved the boy he had been and loved the man in front of her.

"I… I love you…" She said, her face inches from his. A small smile creeped to her lips as she met his gaze. "Be careful… and don't you dare die on me again, do you understand?"

Her heart raced, but it calmed when she saw him smile and laugh.

"Ha… yeah I guess I did practically go and die last time, didn't I?" He said, his hands still around her waist like Ciri preferred.

"Yes, you did, doing something heroically brave, and stupid," She scolded, as she narrowed her eyes, finding that tears were staring to well in them. "Don't do anything stupid this time… go, fight… and just come back to me alright?"

Something had changed in him within the last few moments. It was as if this one simple conversation with her had sparked him. One of his hands stayed on her waist, the other started playing with loose strands of her hair again. He did that often. Sometimes Ciri would wake up in the morning, just to find Dominik awake, holding her still and playing with her hair. It always had a way of soothing her, and it did just that then.

He smiled at her, his warm bright eyes baring into her. "I will… I promise. I love you Ciri… more than anything."

Ciri believed him, on both points.

It was easy to think you weren't in control of your life. It was because you weren't, Ciri had learned that the hard way. You couldn't stop certain things from happening. The only thing that you could do was make the best of what you did have.

And that's what Ciri did. She had him, through all the pain, she had him and he had her. She was his, and he was hers.

And that wouldn't change.

"I love you too… you stupid boy," She said, the tears finally trickling from her eyes, smudging her makeup.

Dominik looked like he was going to wipe them for her, but Ciri kissed him before he could. She kissed him like she never had before, putting every word she wanted to say, every bit of love she had for him into that one kiss. It worked because he melted into her. He wrapped his arms around her waist tightly, and Ciri did the same around his neck. She angled her lips to meet perfectly with his, her hands slipping to cup his cheeks. One long kissed turned into more, as all she could think about was him, his lips, his touch, just him.

She didn't want to leave that embrace; she never did when they held each other like that. Ever since she was a girl, since she met him Ciri had wanted two things. To be a witcher, and to be with him.

And finally, she had those. After that day, she'd be free they'd be free. They would finally be able to properly heal from what had happened and make up for all that lost time.

But first one more fight, she had to get them all through one more fight.

She savored the sweet feeling of his lips against hers. It was something she was ready to have much more of going forward. Yes, they'd lost enough time with one another, and soon they'd get it all back.

Eventually she needed to breath, and she could feel it for him too. Her lips slowly parted from his, and Ciri's mind was abuzz. A small laugh left him, and Ciri soon followed, seeing how red his face was.

"Af…after that?" He said softly, scoffing and smiling at her. "You can be damn sure I'll be back, and real soon."

She let out a laugh, her cheeks getting pink themselves. She met his gaze again and was about to say something else when the crunching of boots made her and Dominik both turn their heads, not leaving each other's embrace.

"Aha see! I told you both we shouldn't worry," Faram's deep voice said, followed by his signature smirk as he looked at them both. "Attached at the hip till the very end!"

"Oh, stop teasing the both of them!" Freya said, shoving the Bear Witchers massive shoulder, smiling and jogging over to them both.

Dominik met her eyes, and Ciri quickly nodded. He knew what she was trying to say without words like always. They pulled apart, as Freya came up and hugged Ciri around the neck, squeezing her.

"Are you well? I didn't get a chance to talk to you today," Freya said, smiling at her as Faram and George both came up behind her.

Ciri nodded, looking to all of them. "I am… thank you all for this."

George had been silent most of the day. Dominik told her the Griffin Witcher was quite serious when it came to preparing for his fights. The gold and green griffin armor gleamed in the orange sunlight.

He nodded with a smile to Ciri. "It is as we've said multiple times my friends, we would not have it any other way. Now, we must hasten to the cliffs!"

"Aye! Anton sent us down to see where you both were, got right worried he did," Faram said, crossing his massive arms.

Ciri's face fell, she looked to Dominik who Freya had hugged as well. He bit his lip nervously and sighed. She did the same, looking to their friends.

"I… actually won't be joining you from the beginning," She said, and the reaction was instant.

Freya looked back around to her. She looked like a natural, her brand-new sword in its sheath on her back was gleaming. It was a bit smaller and lighter like Ciri's blade, but the sword was still the one a witcher would use. She noticed Freya also had her knew silver dagger attached to her hip, along with to Ciri's surprise, a selection of witcher bombs.

"What do you mean? Is something wrong?" She said, falling back next to Faram and George.

Dominik scoffed before she could answer. "It's Avallac'h, he says he won't summon the Hunt unless Ciri stays on the shore."

"Don't like that lass, don't like that one bit," Faram said right away, the reaction instant again. Ciri didn't see the Bear witcher angry… well ever, however he narrowed his eyes towards the docks then. "Let me go have a chat with our little elf. By the end of it his head will be where his arse should be, and his arse were his head should be."

The sight of the almost seven-foot-tall Bear witcher, in his bulky protective armor would be an imposing sight. Ciri had learned from Dominik that Faram very rarely got truly angry, but when he did it was a scary sight.

The last time Faram had gotten like that, Dominik told her was when the Bear Witcher arm-wrestled a giant and won.

"I must concur with Faram," George said, his tone seething. "Even if you must stay on the shore, why not come with us? You can help the men fire Freya's new weapon."

"He's right!" Freya said right away, worriedly looking at her. "You saw how it worked; you can fire it!"

Ciri sighed and shook her head. She again met Dominik's eyes, as he stood next to her, seemingly angry about the situation again.

"As promising as that sounds… we can't. He'll only summon the Hunt with me there," She said, looking at the three of them again. "I'll stay with him for a bit… but remember how that worked at Kaer Morhen?"

That got a chuckle out of them, and next to her she even saw Dominik crack a smile. He looked at her, and then to his friends and sighed. She noticed his hands fiddling with the swallow around his neck as he looked at them.

"Well… I guess it's about that time isn't it?" He said slowly.

Faram slowly nodded. "Aye mate… it's time. Anton and everyone above are ready, just waiting on you."

"Guess I shouldn't keep them waiting any longer then," He said again, sighing as he turned to her. "So… think you can survive without me for a few hours?"

"That's my joke, you're not allowed to steal it," Ciri said through the feeling of her knees locking.

He smiled at her, and hugged her again, taking her in his arms and squeezing. She felt her eyes sting again. No… it was far too much like Kaer Morhen all over again. A panic built up in her for a moment as she held him, she didn't dare let him go, how could she really let him go by himself?

But then she looked at her friends, the three of them all silently waiting, smiling while they had their moment.

No, he wouldn't be alone. He'd be in good hands.

He pulled back, and quickly kissed her. She savored the few seconds, making it last as long as she could. After his lips left hers, she met his eyes, and looking down at their hands she watched as slowly they fell from each other's grasps.

She felt the tears start to slowly come from her eyes again. He looked deep into her crying eyes and smiled. Smiling? In the middle of this when he was about to go fight again? She had no idea how he was doing it, but he knew why.

He was smiling to make her feel better, just like he always did. To reassure her, to invigorate her, to give her strength.

And it worked.

She watched as he walked over towards Faram, George and Freya, looking back at her one more time.

"We'll see you out their princess. We'll be sure to save some for you," He said, in between Faram and George.

Faram laughed and clapped a hand on his shoulder. "Ahah he's right! We'll save a few for you and those magic blinking powers you got. Gods I love it when she does that!"

Ciri laughed and saw George smirked with his arms crossed. "An extremely useful ability indeed. We will be seeing you out there Ciri! The five of us, an unstoppable force we could be."

She managed a laugh again, shakily sighing and wiping the tears and smudged makeup from her eyes. Dominik didn't stop smiling at her.

Nodding she looked to them, forcing one to her lips. "You three… watch out for him. Take care of him until I get there alright?"

"We will, you don't have to worry," Freya said, her reassuring smile and bright blue eyes directed towards Ciri. "Won't be a scratch on him!"

Dominik rolled his eyes. "I'm not a kid you know."

"If Ciri says it we'll do it!" Faram said, again clapping him on the back so hard he stumbled.

Ciri laughed, as did George and Freya. Dominik looked completely embarrassed at first, however when he looked and saw Ciri smiling one of his own came. He always did that, one of the many things Ciri loved about him. All she ever had to do was smile at him, and no matter his mood he always seemed to simply feel better afterwards.

She was lucky she knew, to have someone who loved her so much. She wouldn't have traded it for the world.

Biting the inside of her cheek she stood there and watched as the man she loved looked back at her. She was waiting for him to say something. He was talented at that, always being able to find the perfect words to calm her anxious nerves.

But this time he didn't say anything. Ciri's heart leapt to her throat when he reached down around his neck. He held the swallow up to show her, smiling the whole time and she knew what he was saying.

She reached down and did the same, grabbing the ring and holding it back up to him, a smile coming to her own face.

They weren't apart, they never had been.

"See you in a bit princess…" He said, "I love you…"

"I love you… be careful," She said, letting the ring fall around her neck again.

He nodded to her, turning to Faram, George and Freya. "Come on, we should hurry. Gods know Avallac'h won't wait for us."

The three nodded in agreement, and just like that they took off.

She watched as armor and swords clunking, they all jogged off up the hill.

Ciri's heart rose in her chest. She looked down at the ring again, gripping it in her hand as she had done so many times over the years.

She looked at his figured getting smaller as he ran, and finally Ciri let out a shaky breath. Magic swirled in her body, and she sighed again, finally willing herself to turn away, back towards the camps.

"Okay… time to end this," She said, looking down at the ring. "No more running…"

XxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxX

"Freya everything primed and ready?" He asked, as the wind beat against his face.

From his left Freya nodded, keeping pace with him as they ran. "It is, calibrated the launch angle it'll be a direct hit. Everything's in place!"

She had to yell over the cold wind, but Dominik heard her and nodded. "Good, and how many arrows do we have for it?"

Freya pushed a strand of hair from her eyes as they approached the top of the hill. "About a dozen, but I doubt we'll need that many, after we charge, I don't think you'd want it firing down on us."

"Very true," He said matter-of-factly, turning to the two witchers on his right. "Faram, what's the number we sit at?"

"Seventy-five, not many but some of the toughest fuckers I met are here," The Bear Witcher said as they came to a stop.

It wasn't enough on its own, but it would have to do. He had to trust that the soldiers below- The Black Ones- would keep their word.

"Alright, it'll have to do. Avallac'h seems to think more will come then even at Kaer Morhen," He said to the three of them.

"Did we not expect this?" George said, his golden hair whipping back in the cold wind.

Dominik shook his head. "No, we were, but before Eredin shows himself he's going to more than likely going to throw a few ships of soldiers at us. Don't know how many it will be, but we should have enough to deal with them."

"That is if the Black Ones keep their word," Freya muttered next to him.

He sighed. Something had happened with Ciri before he arrived to see her, and it had to do with the Black Ones. It was more than likely she had heard soldiers muttering about her, calling her the 'New Empress'. It more than likely shook her, and with his conversation with Voorhis stirring in his mind, he didn't know if it was a good thing or bad thing the man clearly had been planning to not have Ciri returned to Emhyr.

Either way none of it mattered. He didn't trust the Black Ones; he knew that most of them didn't believe a word they had told them about the Hunt. However, he had to believe once the Hunt showed, they saw the threat to not just their continent, but the world was real they'd fight.

And even if he didn't trust them, Geralt was with them, he'd make sure it went smoothly.

"We have to believe they will," Dominik said, as they finally approached the small camp Anton had set up. He turned to his friends again. "Remember… this is bigger than Nilfgaard, Skellige or the North, this is about the entire world."

Each of them nodded, but George looked out curiously, nervously over the cliffs. George never got nervous, but he seemed to swallow it and look back to Dominik again.

"And… what about the dragon? I'd prefer not to have a repeat of Kaer Morhen," He said, as they stood at the camps edges.

The pounding of hammers, and the sharpening of blades hit his ears. Dominik looked out to see a mix of knights and sailors strapping on armor, polishing swords, smacking old dummies. Had they really set this all up within a few hours?

They all seemed ready, that was good, they would need to be. He wouldn't have a repeat of Kaer Morhen as George said, he couldn't.

He met their eyes again, they stood in a row, Faram, George and Freya. Every bit of him was screaming about letting his friends go into a fight like this. He didn't doubt their skills of course, even Freya who claimed she was the worst swordsman out of them all was still much more skilled than any non-witcher Dominik had met. A smile came to his face when he noticed the bombs on her belt, the sparkling new sword on her back. She reminded him of himself in his years alone on the Path, except for the fact she had a silver dagger sheathed on her lower back.

On his own back, his own dagger seemed to tingle. Geralt had given it to him, all the way back when they first got to Velen, the inn at the crossroads.

An eternity ago, during that time the dagger had saved his life more times than he could count. He remembered trying to give it to Fiona, but the girl had given it back to him before he and Ciri left her in Claywitch.

'You're going to fight; you'll be in danger. You… told me it was lucky, and I... want you to have that luck.'

The dagger certainly was lucky, and Dominik would need all the luck he could get.

Because he had a promise to keep to Fiona, to Ciri, to Queen Calanthe from all those years ago, to his father, to Geralt, Yen… to Bella. And most importantly in his opinion, to Eredin.

He had sworn he'd kill him, for everything that he had done.

Magic swirled in his eyes; he could feel the power churning through his veins. However, it wasn't like the previous times his magic had been used. Now he was in control. A key difference between then, and at Kaer Morhen.

His cheek tingled, as did his thigh. He wasn't the same man he was even those few weeks ago. He could still taste the feeling of Ciri's lips on his.

This time it would be different.

"Kilgarrah isn't in control of himself anymore, when he shows no heroics understand?" He said to the three of them, his eyes narrowed. "Borch is here to help us. I don't know where he is, but I trust he'll show up when Kilgarrah does. We stay back until then. Understand?"

The three of them nodded and Dominik shakily sighed. He turned and realized a few of the knights were already looking at him. The camp was simple enough, two long rows of white linen tents set up in perfect formation along the top of the hill. Horses were hitched nearby in some trees, as the flat surface above the hill seemed to be a perfect place for a camp.

He knew that the slope on the hill was steep, it wasn't straight down like a cliff, but it would be good enough for them to charge from. It led straight to the bay, which he knew would be filled with ice by the time Kilgarrah was finished, or Caranthir had casted a spell. His hands sweat under his gloves as he steadied his breathing, looking at the faces of the knights and men he'd be asking to charge.

Some were as young as 18, younger even then Dominik himself, others could have easily been sixty like Anton. He spotted a few that wore the white armor of Cintra, with the three golden lions on blue on the breastplate. Of course, as well, there were men, women, elves, even a few dwarves. One was hammering out dents in plate and armor, while another sharpened a line of swords. The last dwarf he saw carried two hand axes, while another large one was strapped to his back.

Zoltan told him some dwarves believed the answer to all of lives problem were simply to carry more axes, Dominik wouldn't complain about it.

Bows, swords, axes, spears, halberds, dozens of men and women. A few were of Faram's crew. He spotted old Barnabas, and a few others all laughing and drinking. He assumed it had to be a skelligan thing, he couldn't imagine drinking before a fight like this.

Either way, as strong as they were, they had been fighting nothing but the Black Ones, and bandits for years. Now they had to fight the Wild Hunt. Dominik didn't doubt their abilities. He simply didn't want them to underestimate their opponent.

The camp led out to the top of the hill, where Dominik spotted Anton. The old knight- his father's former- second in command, was looking with a spyglass out over the bay. Dominik bit his lip. He needed to speak to him, he had been avoiding the topic for the previous few days, but he couldn't put it off any longer.

He turned back to Faram and George, who seemed to have been waiting for him. "You all got command of a group like I asked? Anton put men under each of you?"

It was part of the plan, each of Faram, Freya and George would initially be responsible for leading a group during the charge. The purpose was to make sure the soldiers were ready for what they'd face in the Wild Hunt, learning from people who had faced them before.

Faram crossed his massive arms and smirked. "Aye mate, all set and ready to go. So… I assume we should get moving?"

Dominik shakily sighed, looking out over the bay. The sunset was beautiful, and he wished that he could simply sit and enjoy that sunset for once with Ciri.

But now still wasn't the time. He couldn't delay any longer. Ignoring the sudden throbbing of his cheek and his leg he nodded.

"We should. I need to talk to Anton. Tell your squads exactly what I told you about Kilgarrah and get them all in formation near the hill… ready to charge." He said, letting out a shaky sigh as he met their eyes. "Remember what I said, Avallac'h won't wait for us, I assume he'll summon them any second now."

"No worries my friend, we will move right away!" George said, his confidence returning.

They all went to go, but the words spilled out. "Faram, George, Freya…"

All of them stopped in their tracks, turning to him, and Dominik felt his face get hot. "Thank you… all three of you… for everything."

None of them said anything, but they didn't need to. They all went and walked past him. Freya leaned and kissed his cheek, smiling at him as she passed before running to gather her squad. George came up in front of him, he held out his hand which Dominik grasped firmly, shaking it as the Griffin Witcher held it and nodded at him, a smile on his clean-shaven face before he passed him as well.

Faram was last, the Bear Witcher lingered, crossing his massive arms. "We're going to be alright mate."

"How can you be so sure?" He said quickly.

The Bear Witcher smirked, grasping a hand on Dominik's shoulder as he passed. "Because… we're fighting for what's right. We won't let them take her. And I wouldn't want anyone else leading us."

"People said that at Kaer Morhen…"

"Aye… but that's in the past," Faram smirked, "and we can either run from the past…"

"Or we can learn from it." The first thing Faram had told him, all the way when he first found him back in Velen. He met the Bear Witchers eyes and firmly nodded. "Thanks for saving me from that Leshen."

Faram laughed. "Aha! Best choice I ever made mate. Now come on! Let's go get these icy fucks!"

Dominik scoffed, as Faram trotted off towards his sailors and other knights. Sucking in a breath, he found himself inspecting his own armor, his weapons as he made his way towards Anton on the cliff.

The collar of his armor, which Yen had so meticulously positioned properly was still as such. He tightened the straps for a third time, the masterful witcher armor for the first time felt heavy on him, but Dominik chalked it up to it being the weight of what he had to do as opposed to the armor. He reached to his back, pulling out Fate and examining the as usual perfect sharpening job Geralt had given it.

He took in the fight of his reflection off the silver. It gleamed like a sparkling diamond in the sunlight and his view of himself was clear. His hair was getting too long on the sides and on the back, he'd have to have Ciri shave it for him soon, she always enjoyed doing it when they were younger. The stubble around his chin was coming in, but still not nearly enough to be called a beard. His father had a full beard, had the beard gene in his family skipped him? His scar was still a deep red, the cream that Ciri got from Avallac'h, the one that healed her own scar was working wonders. It would be a few weeks before it became more like Ciri's, but it was progress none-the-less. More faded scars littered his face and neck, from fights he couldn't even remember.

It was under his eyes that amazed him so much. As usual, his eyes were still sparkling green, bright, emerald colored, like Ciri… and like Bella. But he could see the tiredness in them, small wrinkles and black bags were under them both. He guessed he was handsome, he never particularly thought he was, despite what Ciri said. However, so long as she thought he was, Dominik didn't care about any other opinions.

I'm the same damn age, but I look like I've aged half a decade. Is this what father always meant when he said being a soldier ages you twice as fast?

Only he wasn't a soldier. He was a witcher, and today he'd kill monsters as Geralt said.

He gently ran his hand over the smooth silver. It still amazed him how light it was. The day he received it, when Crach gave it to him played back in his mind. In his years alone, bombs and oils had been everything for him. They had kept him alive, having a silver sword now was still bizarre to him after so many years of not having one. The blade's beauty still amazed him, the gleaming circular pommel, the polished red-leather bound hilt, the semi-circle that formed the crossguard.

Take that blade lad! And may it finally help you find her, Crach had told him the day he gave Dominik the sword.

It had certainly helped it, he found her. Now the blade would help him protect her.

Fate. Most people probably would have renamed the sword after getting it. Some people simply didn't name their swords, Dominik had never named his steel one. However, the name of the blade was too perfect for him to change.

"Thanks…" He said, looking at himself in the swords blade. "For all your help."

Feeling foolish for talking to his sword, Dominik sighed and slid it back onto his back. He reached the end of the cliff, and spotted Anton still looking out over the hill with a spyglass. Like Dominik and the old knight planned with Crach, he could see the hill was perfect for a charge.

A few meters to his right, he finally got another glimpse of Freya's weapon fully loaded. It still baffled him how she managed to build it and get all the arrow fuses together in the back. Two men from Faram's crew hastily checked over it, a cart full of more arrows not far from it.

"Absolutely ingenious that thing," Anton said, making Dominik jumped as he looked over at the old knight. Anton smiled and gestured towards the weapon. "The Battle of Hodgepass would have been very different if we had one of those."

"The Battle of Hodgepass?" Dominik said, taking the spyglass from Anton. "My father told me about that, he learned the story from my grandfather. It was Queen Calanthe's first victory wasn't it?"

"It was! The day she became the lioness, a horrible one that was…" Anton said, his voice falling as Dominik looked out with the spyglass.

He looked out over the bay, the waters were churning, the winds continuing to howl. His inner thought trembled. A storm was coming, and a big one at that. Geralt had told him he'd become good at predicting when storms would come. His adopted father had told him his elbow and thigh, the two bones that Vilgefortz had shattered on Thanedd always ached when a large storm was coming.

Dominik's thigh trembled. He never thought he'd be praying for rain after spending so much time in Velen the previous few weeks, but a snowstorm would only give the Hunt more of an advantage.

His gaze through the glass traveled down towards the Nilfgaardean camp again. He spotted Ciri, she was standing out on the docks in the harbor. She had a tense exchange with Avallac'h, who seemed to not mind at all she didn't speak to him much. However, he did see Geralt finally leaving the tent they had been planning in, Yennefer leaving with him.

It would finally be starting soon. He shakily sighed, closing the spyglass and looking back to Anton.

"I remember hearing songs about that battle in taverns when I was younger," Dominik said, meeting the old knight's pale eyes. "My grandfather, he served King Dagorad before Queen Calanthe didn't he?"

"He did yes," Anton said, a small laugh leaving him. "Ha, I was only a few years Cali's senior that day… your grandfather gods, one of the best men I've ever met, second only to your father."

He smiled hearing Anton call Queen Calanthe, 'Cali'. It was standard for Anton even when they were growing up, given the fact he was one of Queen Calanthe's distant cousins. However, Dominik still shook.

Dominik thought of his grandfather's sword, sending a chill down his spine. Did Bella still have Coram? Would she use it against him in the battle, had he given his sister a sword to kill him with?

He sighed again, looking to Anton. "I take it the battle wasn't as glorious as the songs make it out to be?"

Anton's eyes fell. "No war is glorious lad… none, no matter how just the cause."

"But wars still need to be fought."

"Aye… that they do," Anton said solemnly, meeting his eyes. "Leaders, true leaders, like Cali, your grandfather, your father, even you lad know the truth. War breeds no true victors."

"So, if we somehow don't die today… what will I feel afterwards? If there's no true victors in war?"

Anton lightly laughed, holding a hand on Dominik's shoulder. "This isn't a war lad… this is a fight."

"There's a difference?"

"Of course, there is," Anton said, "men make war to get attention. Just look at the sniveling coward who commands that army down there. What reason did he have to declare war both times he did? None, it simply him wanting to prove he could take what wasn't his."

"It's the reason he hunted my father down in Cintra…" Dominik said, remembering when he learned of that truth.

"Aye… it was, because he simply wanted to prove to himself, he could," Anton explained, "all the killing he's done, it's simply an expression of self-hate. That is why men make war lad."

"Then what about Adda? She's fighting in a war now," Dominik asked, wanting to let his mind wonder. "And what about Queen Calanthe and my father, they fought in wars as well."

Anton nodded again. "They did aye… but the difference is, they don't treat the war as a call for attention. They treat it as a fight, a fight for their lives, for the ones they love."

"And you said there was a difference between a fight and a war? What makes this and when I fought at Kaer Morhen fights and not a part of a war?"

"Because lad, true soldiers, leaders, they fight not because they hate what's in front of them," Anton explained, "but because they love what is behind them. That's the difference lads. Wars are waged for the vanity of men, fights… they're fought for a real reason… true reasons that men believe."

Dominik slowly shook his head, his mind abuzz. "That… makes absolutely no sense."

Anton laughed smiling down at him again. He was still tall, and strong as an ox despite his age, well into his sixties. The longsword gleamed at his hip, and Dominik knew he still swung it as well as any man.

"Aha… don't mind my ramblings my boy. Perhaps one day, though I hope it never comes to it, you'll have fought in enough battles to know," He said amusingly, meeting Dominik's eyes with a gleam in the bright blue. "I see them in you lad… all of them. Cali, Ryland, your father, and not just from the looks… you're a natural born leader lad."

"I'll never live up to them," Dominik said right away, "I'll never accomplish the things they were able to accomplish."

"HA! And pray to the gods you never have to lad," He laughed, squeezing tight to Dominik's shoulder again before pulling back with a smile. "I do mean it though. Gregory, Sofia, Cali… they'd all be proud of you right now lad, I know they would."

The smile on the old man's face would have been infectious any other moment, but Dominik's heart stirred. He believes in me… how am I supposed to tell him the truth?

Just rip it off like a poultice, that was what Uncle Vesemir always said.

"Anton… I… I need to tell you something," Dominik said, "something… bad… something important."

The old knight looked at him confused. "Of course, lad, what troubles you? Pre-battle jitters?"

"Well that yes and… and…" Dominik trailed off, sighing as he looked out over the bay, "you… you remember my sister I guess right… Bella?"

Anton scoffed. "Of course, I do! The light of everyone's life that girl was. A ray of sunshine to whoever she met… a damn shame… she didn't-."

"She's alive… dammit, Anton she's alive."

The shift in the knight's mood was instant. He narrowed his eyes at him, "You're certain? How… gods how… how did she-."

"Her powers… the same ones you saw me use in Claywitch," Dominik explained, ripping the poultice off. "Long story short… we got them from a powerful magic ancestor of ours. She… she was scared… she woke up the next morning in Cintra and teleported. She had no memories."

"She was alive!? That… that's impossible," Anton his knees now shaking. "Some… some of the lads and I we… we found Sofia but... but got pushed back before-."

"It's true I saw her… I… I talked to her," Dominik said, the hairs on his arms sticking up. "She teleported and landed in Skellige… lived a whole life there. Not remembering."

Dammit! He just had to get it over with, he was dodging around the topic.

Anton shook his head a shaky sigh leaving him. "You... you said you saw her? Gods boy if that's the case why isn't she here? With us?"

"It's because she's on the other side." The words spilled from him, ripping into his chest as he did.

Anton was silent. He met Dominik's eyes. The old knight believed him, despite the hurt in his eyes, the want for it no to be true, he knew Dominik would never lie about something like this. He waited for Anton to get angry, to scream at him, to get angry at himself or Dominik.

However, he saw an intense glare come to the old knights' eyes. His pale eyes grew dark, as he met Dominik's eyes.

"You... you mean to say…" He trailed off, unable to finish.

Dominik nodded quickly. "The Wild Hunt… Bella's powers unleashed, and they found her. The bastards they… they turned her into a weapon, brainwashed her. Fought her three times before I figured out it was her… she's breaking through Anton she's there I know she is."

"You two always did seem to be one in the same," The knight said, "as I said… that girl was the light of everyone's life."

"She was… and I'm going to get her back," Dominik said, feeling the need for his feet. He walked over the bay, sucking in a crisp breath of air again. "Anton… she's going to be in this battle… I know she is."

"I'll be by your side," Anton said, a few steps behind him. "I failed her once… if I had been quicker in Cintra I could have found her… but I didn't, I'll make up for-."

"No, absolutely not," Dominik said quickly, his eyes not leaving the horizon. His fists curled at his side. "It's too dangerous."

"Damn the danger boy! I won't leave you alone again to fight, I won't fail Gregory and Cali again. I may be old but-."

"It has nothing to do with that Anton," Dominik cut him off, shakily sighing again, imagining his sister's face. "This… this is just something I have to do on my own. When we're out there, and she show's herself… I don't want you or any of your men engaging her. Only me."

"Lad, I don't think it-."

"That's an order!" Dominik snapped, turning to see the old man had stood next to him. Right away he felt bad, as he saw the look of surprise on Anton's face. "I… I'm sorry, I just-."

Anton laughed, a small smile coming to his face. "Ha… gods you looked like Gregory just then. Downright scary how similar."

Dominik blushed and shook his head. "These are your men; I didn't mean to-."

"They're your men as well lad," Anton said, "as I told you before, a good quarter of these men were old members of the guard. The new ones, they've heard stories of Gregory. We've taught his teachings, his views of knighthood to all of them… they'll follow his son."

"But I barely have any idea what I'm doing."

"Ha, you really believe, that don't you? You picked up more then you know lad," Anton said, reaching out to squeeze his shoulder again. "I also learned to trust your father's instincts from when he was young. I'll do the same with you so… your orders will be followed… captain."

Captain. It would have been his title for his entire life had things gone differently. Hearing himself called it now, it stirred his gut. He wasn't a soldier, he was a witcher. What did he know about leading men into battle? He had failed spectacularly at Kaer Morhen, what would make that battle any different?

Biting his lip, he looked down at the camp again, he could make out the faint silhouettes of Geralt and Ciri on the docks. Geralt was boarding a ship, Ciri stood next to Avallac'h. It was easy to make them out by their hair. It was still amazing to him that Geralt happened to become linked by destiny to a child who quite literally looked like she could be his real child. If he had black hair, he assumed he and Ciri could quite literally look like Geralt and Yennefer's children.

Not too much was different, he was just being given a second chance.

He sucked in a breath, the wind around him starting to gently glow with wisps of bright blue magic. He willed it around him, and he could see it building up in his eyes, it moved at his command, flowed through him at his command.

That was one of the differences. He was in control now.

"Lieutenant," Dominik said, repeating the title he often heard his father refer to Anton as back in Cintra, "get the troops ready and waiting. How many carry shields out of the seventy-five do you have an estimate?"

"About thirty give or take a few captains," Anton said, the pride evident in his voice. "All of them carry spears, wear plate as well. About the same number of archers, the rest are a mix of skirmishers with blades, axes, maces among other weapons they wear light chain or leather."

"Wedge formation of everyone with plate and shields, two rows deep," He rattled off, remembering the formations he had read with his father. "Archers I want two lines at the back, they'll volley fire with Freya's weapon to begin. After the initial charge I want them on the hill I want them firing at will. With the Black Ones and Skellige, we may not need them to, but have them prepared to charge. All the other skirmishers charge behind the spears. When we get into the thick of things, stick together, no wondering off."

Anton quickly nodded again, and Dominik met the old knight's eyes.

"The Hunt's riders are tall and strong, about seven feet, wear skeletal plate. The elbows, knees, horizontal slits in the chest, they're the most effective spots to hit," He continued to explain, sighing as he shook his head. "And they won't retreat no matter what, unless we cut off the heads of the snake. They got Bella, and another mage Caranthir, wields a magic staff. You'll be able to tell who they are trust me.

"Tell them, under no circumstance are they to be engaged. If you see either of them, you call for me, George, Faram, Freya, Geralt or Ciri. We'll deal with them, and if we take them out… they may start to crumble, but not before."

Anton titled his head. "I never asked, where is Ciri? You two are normally attached at the hip."

Dominik rolled his eyes. "I've been told that… don't worry about her. She will be there; I know she will."

Dutifully the old knight nodded, but Dominik could still see the worry.

Ciri would be there, she promised him. That day it was ending.

"Understood captain," Anton said, shifting a bit next to him as he met Dominik's eyes again. "You mentioned… Bella, and this Caranthir… what about their king? Eredin I heard his name was."

Dominik quickly sucked in a breath again, the magic churning quicker, but still responding to his commands. It was starting to look like a fine mist around him, and it must have been visible, because Anton backed up a step, gawking at him with wide eyes.

This was the feeling, this was control, full control of the power inside him.

He reached up, trailing his finger along the scar on his cheek.

"Don't worry about him," Dominik said his voice growing dark. "He's mine."

Anton seemed to pale a bit but nodded. "Alright lad… but where will you be?"

His eyes didn't leave the bay. "Me? I'll be in the front… no more running… no more hiding. Today this ends."

XxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxX

"Looks like our bitchy little elf is doing his fancy magic thing," Faram said from next to him, as Dominik watched the glowing light appear in the bay.

"As irritable as the elf is, George added, "the magic truly is beautiful."

Dominik shook his head. "After this is done, we find Ciri, and we get out. If Avallac'h is still around…."

Faram had a hopeful gleam in his eyes. "Can I finally rip his fucking guts out and strangle the arrogant fuck with them?"

"Yes," Dominik said, happy to finally be able to say the words. "If we see him at all after this fight is over… we kill him."

It was something Dominik had wanted to do for weeks, but it wasn't what he had to focus on now.

The speed at which a trained group of soldiers could assemble in formation and break down a camp amazed him. To his right, Freya was making last second adjustments to 'the Kaminski', while Dominik took the spyglass and looked over the Nilfgaardean camp again. He gazed down to where Ciri stood with Avallac'h on the docks, and saw the bright white light coming from the sunstone. Ciri leaned in-he guessed to mutter a spell- and the light grew brighter.

He slammed the spyglass shut, looking at Faram and George on his sides. "It's time. Freya! We all set!? Our guests will be arriving at any minute now."

Freya jogged over, smiling like a madwoman when she got to him. "All set and ready to fire 'captain'."

He rolled his eyes. "Please, not from you three."

They all laughed, and Dominik managed to smile. The air had gotten stale, and his assumption about the storm had been right. Wind began to blow violently, and the light snowfall that had been coming started to pick up.

Great, it can never be easy. He sighed, and heard boots crunching behind him. Wind continued to howl, so loud he almost didn't hear Anton behind him.

"Formations ready captain! We're to charge at your command," The old knight said, coming up with he and his friends. "The elf has activated the spell then?"

Dominik nodded, looking up at a higher adjacent cliff. If he narrowed his eyes, he could see a cluster of sorceresses at the ready, and if he looked to the other across the way he was sure he'd find another group. He spotted a familiar head of red hair and smiled.

He nodded to Anton. "He did… we only have a few moments."

"Aye… the men are ready for you captain," Anton said, his tone telling.

Dominik bit his lip as the wind chilled his bones. The snow was getting harder, it was still visible, but combined with the wind it would be a deadly combination. He had purposely avoided turning around, seeing all the soldiers lined up. He couldn't speak like his father did.

"Do I have to?" Dominik said, wisps of magic leaking from his hands.

Anton scoffed. "You'll be a natural."

"But I have no idea what to say."

"Oh, stop lying, you gave quite the speech at Kaer Morhen," Freya rolled her eyes at him.

"That was completely different!" Dominik said, his hands twitching. He looked up to Anton. "What should I say?"

The old knight shrugged, but smiled gesturing behind them. "Exactly what's on your mind, because I'm sure it's on there's as well."

Dominik finally sighed, looking to his friends once more. Faram who's hair ponytail and beard blew wildly in the wind winked and smirked at him. George nodded, his usual confidence back. Freya simply smiled at him; he always enjoyed the simple calming presence she had.

They believed in him, Anton believed in him, Geralt, Yen, Triss… Ciri.

He looked out over the bay, as Avallach's magic ball of white light floated, swirling in the air. Cursing, realizing he didn't have much time he swallowed his fears and turned.

Wind coursed through his messy brown hair; it was so long now he could see it in front of him. He really needed a haircut. Realizing the wind wasn't going to stop howling any time soon, he cleared his throat and looked over the troops gathered before him again.

At Kaer Morhen, he had perhaps a few more than a dozen men and women at his command, all friends who he knew personally.

He didn't know the seventy-five men and women before him then, but he knew what would happen if he didn't lead them.

All of them, their friends, families, sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, all of them would end up dead, or as slaves. Hundreds, thousands, possibly hundreds of thousands more, not just in their world, but in other worlds would be subjected to that fate if they didn't win that day.

Exactly what's on your mind, Anton had said to tell them. He scanned some faces. Sure, enough he saw men, women, elves, dwarves, knights, sailors. Some wore plate, some even had the golden lions of Cintra implanted on their chests. Those men looked at him with particular awe, but Dominik didn't know if it was from their old commanders' son being alive, or if it was from the magic mist that formed around him.

All of them however, had one thing in common. They all fidgeted, nervous looks in the eyes. At Kaer Morhen, everyone knew what they were fighting, what was coming.

These soldiers didn't have a clue, didn't know the enemy that awaited them. They didn't know what the Hunt had done, what they wanted to do. To them, they were fighting unknown phantom riders that they were told about as children to frighten them. He remembered being told those stories, it made the Wild Hunt out to be like gods, evil gods come to kill them all.

It was pretty much what they were yes, and Eredin, Avallac'h, were all evidence the Hunt, the Aen Elle certainly saw themselves as such. Gods, above them all, the superior race, untouchable by lowly humans.

But Dominik knew the truth. They bled just like everyone else. And after all they had done, Dominik knew how he felt.

He was angry, and he was going to make the men and women before him angry as well.

Taking in one shaky breath, he looked behind him to see Avallach's sunstone glowing with more white light. Some of the soldiers looked on terrified, but Dominik quickly stepped to them, only a few meters from the front line. He didn't have much time, so he stopped wasting it.

"Knights! Soldiers! Sailors!" Dominik shouted, getting a particularly large cheer from the cluster of Faram's shipmates, led of course by old Barnabas who grinned like a madman.

He cleared his throat again, raising his voice higher over the churning winds.

"My name is Dominik of Cintra! My father was Sir Gregory of Cintra, the Great White Knight of Cintra, whom Sir Anton, has no doubt told you about! His teachings are what you've learned, what you've trained by!"

A couple men and women nodded, whispering under the wind. A few more looked at Dominik with awe. Had Anton really told that many stories of his father, of what he had done? He shook his head, ignoring the whispers and carrying on.

"My father taught me, that the true measure of being a knight is not determined by the circumstances of your birth, but by the content of your character! 'You don't need a cock and balls to be a knight Dominik!' he would always tell me!" He yelled out, a smile forming on his face. A few men chuckled, a few women shouting out. "I know most sons say this of their fathers, but he was the greatest man I've ever known! I'm sure you've heard the stories from Anton, if Sir Gregory were here, he'd strangle the King of the Wild Hunt with one hand, while taking a piss with the other!"

More laughs, and a chuckle from Anton spurred him on, the sound of Avallach's spell churning with the wind. Between the spell and the wind, he had to yell louder, as he stopped his pacing, trying to look at all the soldiers before him at once.

"I would love to be able to do that! But I will stand here before you today, and say, I'm not my Father! And I never will be!" He shouted. More murmuring, but Dominik pushed on. "I'm not nearly as tall! I can't grow a beard to save my life! I'm no solider, I'm a fucking witcher! What does a silly witcher like me know about fighting battles, or winning wars!? I know more than your average witcher, but still not nearly what's needed!"

He saw his friends giving him odd looks, but Dominik pressed on. Snow built up in his vision, and he wiped it away, shaking it out of his hair as the wind violently nipped at his ears. The troops in front of him seemed confused, but none said anything.

"But one thing I know plenty about as a witcher, is MONSTERS AND THAT'S WHAT WE FIGHT TODAY!" He yelled, needing to raise his voice up over the wind. A few more shuffling boots as they were reminded of their foe. "Today we destroy the Wild Hunt! We face them in battle, and as a good friend of mine says, we'll 'Blow those icy cucks right back to their fucking world! I will not lie to you, as your squad leaders have said. The riders of the Hunt, they are massive, strong, tall, they command beasts more ferocious then any wolf that would come steal your chickens back on your farm.

"You've probably all heard the stories. I heard them myself as a child when I refused to go to bed! My mother would tell me tales of the Wild Hunt, riding their icy, skeletal mounts across the sky, stealing naughty children from their beds! You probably heard how their horse's hooves; freeze the very ground they walk on. You probably heard that their King is nine feet tall and can shoot icy spear from his eyes an arse! Dark gods of terror that haunt the sky, one day destined to cover our continent in ice! And again, I won't lie… some of those tales are true!"

"If they're gods, how can we kill them?" One nervous, young looking knight shouted from the center of the group. "What chance to we have!? Even with the Black Ones, and the Skelligers, what chance to we have against gods!?"

A loud chorus of murmurs came up from the men and women before him. Panic started to rise in him, but he quickly squashed it. If you show weakness, then they will think all hope is lost. How to inspire them?

He grinned, as the idea came to him. I will inspire them, the same way I got inspired.

Raising his hands up, he quieted the murmurs and all the soldiers stood at attention as well.

"Let me tell you all a quick story! Let me all tell you the story, about the greatest god damn woman I've ever met in my life," Dominik shouted over the wind, beginning to pace again, coming to a stop in front of them all again. "Let me tell you all a story, about Cirilla of Cintra!"

The whispers started again, the men who wore the Cintran plate stood at attention. He had their interests peaked, and he smiled remembering Ciri's account of her time with the Aen Elle. Obviously, he wouldn't share all the details, only a few to inspire.

"When Cirilla was a child, running for her life, she found herself at a portal. Fleeing for her life, she entered this portal, and was teleported to a different world," He explained, beginning to pace again less his legs shake too much. "She found herself in the world of the Wild Hunt, the world of the Aen Elle! The Aen Elle, is a race of powerful elves from which the Wild Hunt hails. The princess, she was trapped in this world! They held her captive for almost a year, a child she was, day in and day out she was their prisoner, tortured and trapped!

"The Aen Elle think themselves gods! She learned what they did to other worlds. They used their abilities, to invade worlds, take them over, reduce them to ash, and take slaves of all the people who survive! Cirilla was trapped in their world, a world full of these supposed gods, and they never had intention of letting her leave! But do you know what she did!? She FOUGHT, SHE FOUGHT AND SHE FOUGHT! One day she escaped the world of the Aen Elle, fighting and wounded the now King of the Wild Hunt to do so! A CHILD SHE WAS!

"She showed that day she's braver than I will ever be! Braver than each and every one of us standing here! She'd got more balls then any man I've ever met!"

A few laughed and more questions shot from the crowd, but Dominik did not stop.

"Cirilla never gave up, even as a child she fought, she showed them that they are NO GODS! And do you want to know where Cirilla is now!? SHE'S HERE FIGHTING THEM STILL!" He yelled out, his voice raking against his throat over the wind. A few cheers went up from the crowd, as Dominik's fists curled. "Now, years later, the Wild Hunt pursues her! Not only do they pursue her, but now they wish to do our world what they've done to so many other! They wish to invade, they wish, to cover the Continent in ice, North, South, Nilfgaard, Skellige, Cintra, Redania, they wish to take it all! If we do not stop them here today, they'll invade this world, and all the kings and queens of the continent combined won't be able to stop them!

"Then what kind of hope do we have to stop them!? What if they kill us all here," Another man yelled from the crowd.

A few began to nod their heads, fear coming back to their faces. Dominik stopped in front of them all, meeting their eyes again.

He simply shrugged.

"Aye, aye you're all right! Fight them today, and we could die. I could die, you could all die. They're powerful, they tower over us! Yes, there a good chance today could be the last day we all walk this world!" Dominik yelled, but stepped forward and shook his head, weeks of anger finally spilling from him. "But do you know what will happen if we don't hold them back!? Do you know what will happen if we don't fight them here? They'll wipe out the continent! Nilfgaardean's, northerners, Skelligers, men, women, elves, dwarves, it doesn't matter who you are, they'll all be killed! And those whose aren't, taken as slaves, they want to make OUR HOME THERE'S! And I don't know about you all, but I HAVE NO INTENTION OF LETTING THESE FUCKERS TAKE MY HOME FROM ME, MAKE MY LOVED ONES SLAVES! WILL YOU LET THEM MAKE YOUR WIVES, YOUR HUSBANDS, CHILDREN AND LOVED ONES SLAVES!?"

A loud "NO!" went up from most of the gathered soldiers, and Dominik could feel the magic around him growing. The glowing mist got brighter, to the point where he noticed his friends to his left and Anton to his right step back. Behind him, Avallach's spell whirled and gushed, a dreaded *RIIIIIIIIIPPPPPPPPP* staring to pierce the air.

He saw a few of the soldiers faulter, so he pressed on.

"WILL YOU LET THEM SLAUGHTER YOUR NEIGHBORS!? TROT THE SURVIVORS OUT AS SLAVES!?" Finally, they all ignored the spell, looking to Dominik and shouting out their protest again. They were getting angry, and Dominik smiled. "IT MATTERS NOT KNOW WHERE YOU COME FROM TODAY! Whether you're from the North, the South, the Isles, none of that matters now! TODAY WE FIGHT AS ONE! WE FIGHT AS ONE PEOPLE! Today, you're not elves, you're not humans or dwarves, you're not even men or women! TODAY YOU'RE ALL CITIZENS OF THE CONTINENT OF THIS WORLD AND YOU FIGHT FOR IT! WILL YOU ALL JOIN ME TODAY!? JOIN ME IN FIGHTING FOR NOT JUST YOUR WORLD, BUT FOR EVERY WORLD THESE PHANTOMS WOULD INVADE!?"

Another loud *RIIIIIIIIIIIPPPPPPP* pierced the air behind him. He expected some of the men to falter, to crumble under the wind and the sound of the spell ripping open the sky. However, they ignored both. Dominik heard the thundering of weapons against shields, boots against the ground. The lines of spears in the front all raised up their spears, swords, axes, maces all got thrusted into the air as they cheered. Next to him, he even heard Anton whoop a yell as his blade was unslung from his hip.

To his right, Faram lead a loud cheer, pulling his silver sword from his back. George, followed, then Freya, and before he knew it, Dominik looked out to a sea of weapons in front of him. The wind didn't faze them, the magic ripping open the sly didn't faze them.

The enemy no longer fazed them because they knew they fought for something more.

Dominik found himself smirking. The wind and snow blew past him, he gripped the swallow around his neck. See? You inspire everyone princess, not just me.

He raised the swallow to his lips, steadily sighing. Power coursed through his veins. He thought of Ciri, of himself, of Geralt, Yennefer, his father, his mother, Bella, Fiona, and the life that was waiting for him after this fight was over.

And magic swirled around him. He glew, the magic mist around him brightening, and it only seemed to make the troops around him cheer louder. Dominik didn't cheer, he looked at the magic around him. It was exactly how Alexander had controlled it, how Lara and Connor of Lod had controlled it.

Alexander had told him, that a carrier inherited the potential to have as much power as all the previous members of his line combined. He thought it insane at first. Connor and Lara of Lod, and Alexander? All their power in his veins? He thought it couldn't be possible.

But as he felt the magic coming through his veins then, whirling around his arms, his legs, appearing in the corner of his eyes like wisps of light, he knew it was.

He reached behind his back, sliding Fate from its sheath, holding it high in the air, getting another loud cheer from the men. His magic whirled upwards, up his arm and around the silver blade.

Dominik exhaled, magic exhuming from him, and his emerald eyes, now mixed with bright blue magic looked to all the men and women before him.

The words exploded from him.

"WILL YOU ALL JOIN ME TODAY," He shouted, a small smirk coming to his lips as he looked at all of them, "IN PROVING TO THESE SELF-PROCLAIMED GODS. THIS SELF PROCLAIMED 'SUPERIOR RACE'…. THAT THEY BLEED JUST LIKE THE REST OF US!?"

"YEAHHHHHH!"

Dominik smirked again, pointing his sword towards the bay. "THEN FIGHT WITH ME, FIGHT WITH ME TODAY FOR YOUR WORLD! AND LET US STAIN THE ICE WITH THE BLOOD OF THESE ONES WHO WOULD SEE US IN CHAINS! FOR CINTRA, FOR NILFGAARD, FOR SKELLIGE, FOR OUR SONS AND DAUGHGTERS, FOR THE WORLD!"

"FOR THE WORLD!" Freya shouted out louder next to him, her new witchers blade raised up in the air.

"FOR THE WORLD, FOR THE WORLD, FOR THE WORLD!" The chant didn't stop, as Dominik smirked at his friends who had all joined.

However, when Dominik turned all the noise stopped. He could hear them over the wind shuffling, anxious, ready for battle. That was good, it was the best he would be able to do for them.

Next to him, Anton nodded at him, smiling as he picked his white helmet from the ground, sliding it over his head. Dominik kept the magic glowing around him, his sword raised, as he looked at the spell Avallac'h had produced.

It was finally finished.

He turned back to the men. "HOLD EVERYBODY HOLD YOUR GROUND! THEY COME! THE ONES WHO'D SEE YOUR LOVED ONES IN CHAINS! THEY COME! HOLD, HOLD AND BE READY TO MOVE ON ME!"

"FOR THE WORLD, FOR THE WORLD, FOR THE WORLD!" The chant continued again, as Dominik turned to see the magic ball again.

A loud *RIIIIIIIIIIIIPPPPPPPPPP* came through the sky, and Dominik saw the swirling black portal open. It was more massive then any portal Dominik had ever seen, and it was like vacuum of icy wind, adding to the already violent gale from the storm outside.

He turned back once more. "DIG IN! DIG IN AND HOLD! HOLD FIRM! THEY WON'T BREAK US! FARAM, GEORGE, QUEN!"

The two witchers nodded, as a violent storm of ice shot from the portal. Dominik looked behind him, most of the soldiers had dug in, getting to their knees. It was the most violent wind Dominik had ever felt, he remembered it from Kaer Morhen, and suddenly had flashbacks.

His leg tingled, his cheek did as well.

NO! Not this time! This WILL BE DIFFERENT!

He willed the swirling magic around him to his palm, all of it forming in his hand, responding to his will. He had never seen such a large cluster of pure magic.

And he still felt plenty more in his body.

I'm a witcher… I protect people, protect those who cannot protect themselves. He looked back to the men behind him, some stumbled, one man fell, and Dominik's eyes widened as he slipped in the snow himself.

He turned back towards the violent gale he knew Caranthir had to be summoning. No, I won't let him take anyone else… not again!

Forming the proper sign with his fingers, he slammed his hand into the ground, and could almost feel it crack beneath him. A loud *BOOOOOOOOM* ripped over the sound of the wind, over the force of the ice as his Quen shield erupted. It expanded a good twenty meters out to his left and right, easily covering the line of troops. Faram had grabbed Freya and slammed his own bubble shield down, covering them both, while George had scrambled next to Anton to do the same.

Dominik covered his troops.

Bright blue magic shot through his eyes, but he kept the shield active. Behind him men cheered, he heard boots clunking and more weapons banging against shields. Dominik wanted to smile, but he kept his focus on the gale coming from Avallach's portal. Another large wave of magic clashed with the ice, and finally he allowed himself to smile, letting the shield down as he looked up to the sorceresses on the nearby ridge.

He gripped tight to Fate and raised it up to join the cheer with everyone else. The magic shield the sorceresses had erected was so powerful it pushed the wave of icy wind back towards the portal, where it finally sealed, forming a dome.

Scoffing Dominik found himself smirked. Looks like that many sorceresses did make a difference after all.

While the troops cheered, Dominik eyed the black portal still open. He felt only the wind of the snowstorm on Undvik now. Even with his men cheering, an eerie feeling ran up his spine.

It was still too quiet.

He jobbed up towards the hill, which was now covered in snow and ice. Faram, Freya and George joined him with Anton. Over at the bay, Dominik spotted a familiar sight, ashen hair on the dock. He let out a relieved sigh, part of him thought Avallac'h would disappear right away, dragging Ciri with him. Ciri leaned back on one leg, her one arm crossed, the other under her chin. She did that when she was annoyed.

Better annoyed and alive then missing again.

He looked out over the bay; it was now like he expected it to look like. Sheets of ice and snow, which he knew would have to be thick enough to walk on. A few of the Black Ones ships were already frozen, but it still wasn't like the storm that had enveloped Kaer Morhen and froze everyone.

No ships showed up in the bay either.

"Why aren't their ships here?" Freya asked next to him. "Did Avallac'h lie?"

"Wouldn't be surprised," Faram muttered.

They all chatted idly, but Dominik watched as ships launched from the docks near the camp. His heart sank to the pit of his stomach. Geralt was on that lead ship.

Minutes passed, and the Nilfgaardean ships continued to sail towards the ice.

Directly towards the black portal that still rippled in the air, dominating the airspace.

He kept an eye on the ship with Geralt, sailing forward. Forward, forward, forward. Still, no ships from the Hunt.

A cold sweat trickled down his neck. "Something's wrong…."

"Why don't we move in now?" Anton suggested, his spy glass out and looking towards the conjunction of ice. "They probably sent a small party ahead to scout, test our defenses."

"A plausible idea yes," George said, turning to Dominik. "At Kaer Morhen, they sent smaller parties ahead to test our defenses, before trying to overwhelm us after we had fought for hours. They could be trying the same plan."

"No… no Eredin wouldn't try the same plan twice," Dominik said, his eyes widening as the day's events all came back to him. "No… no, no, no! EVERYONE GET DOWN NOW!"

GERALT!

The men behind scrambled, confused. Dominik ignored it, rushing forward, intent on running down the hill towards the water, towards Geralt's ship.

Faram's massive hand stopped him and grabbed his arm. "Mate! What is it, are you insane!"

Dominik turned his eyes on him and everyone else. "EVERYBODY GET DOWN, DIG IN! GET DOWN NOW WE-."

He was cut off, by an earth-shattering roar.

The roar of a dragon, as a blast of ice shot down from the black portal.

A/N: And now ladies and gentlemen, we are finally underway with the final battle on Undvik. This was a very long chapter, that I thought about breaking up into two parts, but in the end, I decided to give you all this long one, since I didn't want to interrupt the pacing of it. I won't say much in this A/N, because I don't want to risk giving anything away for the rest of the battle, but I can say, that I think it will be some of my best work yet!

First in this chapter, we finally see Bella's descent in Dominik's dream…. What do you think will happen in the next chapter with Bella and Kilgarrah? What about the final fight with Bella and Dominik?

After that, we get some tearful goodbyes before the battle. I worked so hard to establish this relationship of a family, and make Dominik truly feel like he belonged. Most who I talk to say I did a good job and I hope that's the case. I always felt that in stories like these, moments like this are important to have. It's important to show your characters actually able to be happy and loving so they have something to fight for.

Before we get to the final parts, we get a long awaited meeting between Ciri and Emhyr. I debated having Dominik in that meeting, but as Ciri said, there's zero chance Dominik doesn't kill him if he's there lol Remember, Dominik hasn't seen Emhyr since learning what he tried to do to Ciri.

Ciri absolutely whoops the dude. I've said this multiple times, one of my least favorite things about witcher 3 was the empress ending being a thing. Also how Ciri doesn't seem to have any real hate towards the emperor after what happened at the end of the books. I just think that was a huge oversight by CDPR. I mean there is NO WAY Ciri would go to Emhyr, or Geralt would bring her to him, like no way at all lol So, Ciri makes her declaration to her father, this is fuel for the sequels and I can't wait for you all to see where this goes!

More fuel for the sequels is Dominik's conversation with Voorhis… how do you think this will come into play in the future?

The most important parts however of this chapter is the revelation, that Dominik and Ciri both are now in complete control of their powers. We see a bit of Dominik's leadership, and his power as he puts up a shield to protect his men. With them both in complete control… what will happen now?

Next chapter, the battle officially begins. We'll see Freya's weapon unleashed on the Wild Hunt, as well as what Kilgarrah will do… stay tuned!

Remember to please, please review if you have time, follow and favorite so you know when I update, and as always, stay safe everyone!