A/N: Well, this is the 3rd chapter of the story. The thing is I'm not sure about the pairings for the story…. Or whether I should have any pairings at all smh. So I'm gonna need to ask you guys about this. Who do you wanna see the OC pair up with? In my mind, it's Ciri right now but if you think otherwise, just let me know alright!

Chapter-2

Crevan was looking at a bound-up Caranthir along with a seething Yennefer who looked like she was about to make him experience the worst pains imaginable. Crevan looked at Yennefer and had half a mind to let her do it and vent out her anger, but he believed it was best not to. Yennefer got close to Caranthir and started casting a spell before Crevan stopped her

"Wait."

Yennefer seethed with rage as she looked at Crevan with a furious look. She was not pleased with his intervention, not at all. She yelled,

"What?!"

Crevan said, "Let me go at him first. You can try your torture out later. Why don't you go check on Geralt?"

Yennefer frowned but she let it go in favor of Crevan saving her and her wish to see if some harm had befallen on her beloved. Crevan took the opportunity to speak with the mage,

"You know, I was rather surprised at people able to create portals between worlds. It isn't unheard of, with the child of the elder blood and all, but still it's highly unusual."

Caranthir remained silent when he spoke. Crevan looked at him and said,

"You're the silent type eh? Oh well, I guess it doesn't matter. You're going to start talking either way. Even if I don't do it, I'm sure Yennefer's spells might finish the job."

Caranthir still remained silent as Crevan looked at him and asked,

"Answer me this at least, what's your name?"

Crevan saw that the mage had no intention of speaking and was about to move on before he heard a voice from the armored man,

"I am called Caranthir."

Crevan looked at him in surprise, "You would give out your name that easily?"

Caranthir replied, "You have bested me in combat and are powerful enough to be worthy of respect. Even if you are just a human."

Crevan nodded his head and said, "I see but you got something wrong. Ishta'la ae dh'ione vat Icaher sidh.(I may look human but the blood of an elf still flows through me.)

Caranthir replied, "Ah, pherian vo. Bloede pest, d'yaebel wedd (A half-breed then. A bloody pest, devils child)

Crevan replied and said, "Vir suledin vilun, Aen Elle. Ae dhorione eslen vor. Aen lokh varin en caed shehazaade? Aen lokh sek daerienn?" (I thank you for those compliments, alder folk. However, we have something else to talk about. Why did you enter this sacred grove? Why do you seek the sorceress?)

Caranthir looked at him and chuckled. He then said, "Aen cerbin lait sek Aen Zireael sek (We don't seek the kestrel but rather the swallow.)

Crevan looked confused and asked, "Zireael?"

Caranthir replied, "Varh'he daerienn aine sodh."(The bitch sorceress knows)

Crevan said, "Ae tu…vot aen lokh zireael sek.."(I see….. but why do you seek this swallow?..)

Caranthir remained silent and didn't answer the question. Crevan then asked in the normal tongue, "Who is the one that is leading you?"

Caranthir then said, "Eredin. He's the ruler of our world. The Lord of the Wild Hunt."

Crevan took note of this information. Caranthir then asked, "But tell me, Vatt'ghern, how were you able to prevent me from using the portal?"

Crevan replied, "I believe, I already told you before, didn't I? I sealed off this space the moment our battle started."

Caranthir looked confused and said, "But how were you able to do that? There is no one that can have that much control over the domain of time and space, unless-"

His words stopped as his shock took over. He looked at Crevan and said,

"Impossible."

Crevan replied, "The multiverse is filled with surprises. You can't possibly know everything, you know."

Caranthir was still reeling in from the shock as he asked, "But how-?"

Crevan made a shushing gesture as he said, "That's a secret."

Caranthir didn't speak anymore and fell back into silence, digesting the piece of information, which held an unfathomable value to him. He then asked,

"You have the blood of elves flowing through you. Why would someone as strong as you side with someone as low as those human scum? Why be subservient to them?"

Crevan turned stoic as he replied, "I am on no one's side. Humans feel they are superior to the other races while you alder folk feel that your race is superior to theirs. No race is superior to the other in my eyes, just differently-abled. I don't feel any superior to anyone but even if you consider me to be one, I feel no need to oppress them or make them feel subservient to me."

Caranthir asked, "Then why did you interfere?"

Crevan replied, "You were going after someone I consider close to me."

Caranthir didn't speak another word for a short while before asking him,

"Vil kanun len sharven, Vatt'ghern (If you would listen to a request of mine, Withcer.)

Crevan looked at him and commanded, "Dice."(Speak.)

Caranthir then said, "Ae va'en veloe lokrim. Daerienn Ae lait sault."(Send me my way quickly. I don't wish to see myself be humiliated by the sorceress.)

Crevan looked at him and shook his head. He then replied, "I cannot fulfill this request, sorry."

Caranthir said, "A shame."

Yennefer took the right moment to arrive and asked, "What have you found?"

Crevan replied, "Not much. The mage's name is Caranthir and he is part of the wild hunt. The leader of the hunt is called Eredin and they came here to find someone who is associated with a swallow."

Yennefer looked grim as she said, "Ciri. I know. They asked me about her before but did he tell you what they plan to do with her?"

Crevan shook his head and said, "Sadly, he didn't say. However, I doubt it is anything good"

Yennefer nodded her head and said, "That is so."

Crevan asked, "What do you plan to do now?"

Yennefer replied, "To find Ciri and make sure she's safe. I cannot stay here if she's being hunted by the Wild Hunt."

Crevan said, "I see."

Yennefer then looked at Caranthir and said, "But first, we need to take care of him."

Her furious look had returned as she wanted revenge for what he did to her before. He had almost succeeded in erasing her memories and was also involved in hunting down Ciri. Something she can never forgive him for. She said,

"You have pulled out all the information you can from him. Now let me do it my way and see if it checks out."

She was about to take control of his mind through magic. She started casting the spell but Crevan once again butted in and said,

"Stop."

Yennefer was getting annoyed with the white-haired Witcher. She said, "You are starting to infuriate me with your interruptions."

Crevan replied, "I know. But I can't let you do this. You will be destroying his mind with that method, and I can't have that."

Yennefer yelled, "Why not?! He's an enemy!"

Crevan replied, "True, but I have a better plan in mind but first, I need you to erase his memories from the time he entered this realm until now."

Yennefer looked at him like some madman but she knew that he wouldn't be asking this without having some kind of plan in mind. She immediately turned to perform as asked but Caranthir's mind turned out to be rather resistant to her advances. It satisfied her heart when she heard his short grunts, knowing that he was going through some pain while doing so. However, he soon submitted as she was able to break his will and manipulate his mind.

His memories of them were erased and he was put in a trance-like state. Crevan took this opportunity to utter some words into his ears in Elder speech. Yennefer didn't hear what he said as she was exhausted from the job she had done before.

Crevan then released Caranthir from his bindings and commanded. Yennefer thought she saw his eyes glow for a second there before he said, "Open the portal and leave."

Caranthir did as he was told and disappeared. Yennefer asked, "What did you do?"

Crevan smiled and said, "You'll know it in time."

They remained silent for a while before Yennefer asked, "Tell me, who are you really?"

Crevan didn't say anything for a while before answering her question.

"A ghost from the past that would not like to interfere with the affairs of the present."

Yennefer didn't know what to say to that. She looked at him and thought he looked young, even for a Witcher but she didn't wish to question him any further as she knew that everyone had their secrets. Crevan asked,

"So, what do you plan to do now?"

Yennefer replied, "I am going to try a way out of this island, and go back to the continent. I might pull up some old contacts and track Ciri, make sure that she's safe."

Crevan asked, "And Geralt?"

Yennefer looked at the hut and said, "Geralt will come with me. I know a place where he can be safe while he recovers."

Crevan said, "I see."

Yennefer continued, "But that can only happen if I know how to get out of here in the first place."

Crevan looked at her with a complex emotion before sighing. He then said, "It can't be helped."

Yennefer looked at the young Witcher with bewilderment at what he said. Crevan then continued, "Follow me."

He then started moving away from the hut followed by a curious Yennefer as to where he was going. They walked for a few minutes before they arrived in front of a great tree. Yennefer felt something odd about the tree, like something was hindering her from using her powers here. She said,

"A barrier with a distortion field…"

Crevan nodded his head and said, "Handiwork of yours truly. The only way to get through it is by using a password."

Yennefer looked at him crazily as she asked, "You constructed this?"

Crevan smiled and replied, "It's actually quite simple really. I'll teach you how to do it once we get my things."

Crevan spoke out, "Ghoul's arse!"

As soon as he said that, an astounded Yennefer watched a soft humming sound chime in her ears as the interference she felt before gradually disappear. Her perception of the place became clearer as she now saw a hollowed entrance in front of the great tree. However, her mind was currently occupied with something else as she asked,

"Ghoul's arse? Is that the password?"

Her image of the great barrier had distorted like so many others. What she once felt like a piece of art was now a joke to her. Crevan replied,

"Why not? It's funny don't you think? Besides, didn't your beloved once say, "Go plough yourself" to banish a Djinn?"

Yennefer was reminded of that embarrassing memory and laughed at it. At the time, it felt bizarre to her but she did find it funny later on. The two didn't tarry as they both entered the tree. Yennefer went inside to find a large hall, filled with racks and racks of books, making up 6-7 rows on one side. On the other side was a homely space that had a bed and a study beside it with a couple of drawers. A small kitchen behind a counter along with a dining table in front. Crevan told,

"Make yourself at home."

Yennefer did just that and went towards the books to look at his collection. She saw that some of the books weren't familiar to her. Scratch that, she couldn't read them at all, as if they were in a different language. She gave up frustrated before she moved towards where Crevan was. He was in his study with a piece of quill and paper, busy jotting down something with a serious face. Yennefer knew that it must be something important. Once he was done, he gave the paper to Yennefer and said,

"Here."

Yennefer looked at it and saw that it was a bunch of herbs along with a set of instructions. It was a potion. While she may have dabbled in herbology, she was no expert in it. She asked,

"What is this?"

Crevan said, "A potion to awaken Geralt."

Yennefer looked surprised and asked, "And you are giving this to me now?"

Crevan nodded his head and said, "I thought that it would be best to let nature run it's course. However, things are different now, thus it's best if you use it. This potion will stimulate his brain and bring back his consciousness but do it too much and it would harm him instead. You need to use a spell to stabilize his condition."

Yennefer nodded her head. Crevan then added, "Now moving on to other subjects. The reason why I gave you this potion is because I know of a way to send you and Geralt back to the continent."

Yennefer looked surprised and asked, "Then why didn't you say so before?! Let's leave immediately and get Geralt. We can leave right away."

Crevan shook his head and said, "No, you are not leaving until you fulfill some conditions."

Yennefer looked dangerous as she asked with a threatening tone, "What do you mean conditions?"

Crevan replied, "You must first stay here and learn a few things before you leave. Your knowledge of spells and incantations is impressive but to face the Wild Hunt is no simple matter. I will give you the knowledge that you need."

Yennefer contemplated the offer and asked, "How long?"

Crevan replied, "A week."

Yennefer immediately shot down that idea and said, "That's too long. The Wild Hunt is pursuing Ciri. I don't have that much time."

Crevan shook his head and said, "Yes you do."

Yennefer said, "Aren't you listening to me? The Wild Hunt is pursuing Ciri. Every day is precious and giving them a week headstar-"

Crevan added, "The thing is that you are not giving them any form of a head start."

Yennefer looked at him for an explanation who obliged as he continued,

"Time is highly diluted over here. A week here would hardly be a few hours over there. So you have no reason to fret. This way, you are more equipped to fight against the Wild Hunt."

Yennefer pondered for a moment or two before asking, "What are the other conditions?"

Crevan replied, "You will brew the potion according to the instructions once you get back to the continent. Sadly, the ingredients for this potion are not available over here. Thus you could only hope to find them there."

Yennefer nodded her head and said, "Alright."

Crevan then said, "The last condition is for you to enter a binding covenant with me."

Yennefer looked at him with a critical eye. The Binding Covenant was a rite created by the elven ages of old. It was an agreement between two parties that held a specific set of terms that each one had to follow, sealing it in blood. She had heard of this rite but had never known how it was used, as it was essentially a lost spell.

She knew the severity of this magic, because if one broke the terms of this covenant, the residual magic will effectively kill them. With her eyes narrowed, She asked,

"What are the terms?"

Crevan said gravely, "You are to never speak of me to anyone you meet. You will not pass on any form of information about me to anyone, not even your closest friends."

Yennefer looked at him with a bizarre expression as she asked, "But why?"

Crevan said, "Simple. I don't wish to be disturbed by anyone or anything. I have lead my life peacefully until now, in silence. I wish for it to remain that way."

He continued, "Fulfill these conditions and I will send you back along with Geralt."

Yennefer pondered for a moment before sighing. She said, "Alright. I accept."

Crevan's face turned into a smile as he said, "Then why don't we start right away."

He immediately took a knife and sliced his left hand, before passing it on to Yennefer who did the same. Crevan then held out his bleeding hand, joined by Yennefer's own. He said,

"Repeat after me."

He then spoke in the Elder tongue but Yennefer couldn't discern what it was that he was saying except for a few words. She was able to at least confirm that he didn't add any suspicious clause to her contract and thus repeated after him once he finished. Once she too finished speaking the words, a white glow emanated as she felt a scalding heat burning on her skin, on her left wrist.

She removed it and saw that there was a tattoo of a strange symbol on her wrist. She saw that Crevan had the same symbol on his wrist as well. Crevan said,

"This is the mark of the contract. It will activate should you ever choose to break the agreement or try to remove the mark itself through forceful methods. The residual magic will effectively stop your heart from beating. The sign will give you a warning if you are close to breaking the contract but fair warning, this will include severe pain in your head, one that you really don't want to experience."

Yennefer nodded her head and then she asked, "Now that that's out of the way, Can we get on to this training you said?"

Crevan nodded his head seriously and said, "Follow me."

He then went near a carpet and moved it aside showing some kind of trap door. Yennefer noted that the trap door was old and with a creaky sound, it opened to reveal some stairs. Crevan went down the stairs followed by Yennefer.

It was pitch black. Crevan and Yennefer along and as they did, light illuminated in braziers on the side with a dull blue fire that went easy on the eyes. They went down for a while before stopping once they reached the bottom. Crevan muttered some words and immediately the hall was illuminated with light from a central source, making the room bright as day.

Yennefer saw it was largely empty except for a few books on shelves by the side. There were also a few paintings on the side, mostly collectibles. Only one of those paintings was covered up completely in a large white sheet. The only thing that stood out was a large chest at the end of the hall. She saw that the floors were made of stone but there were burns and scorch marks present in it, along with some wear and tear, showing that this place was actually used to train by him.

Yennefer asked, "What are we doing here?"

Crevan replied, "To help you learn of course. For starters, I'm going to be teaching you to create some strong barriers."

"Oh joy."

As he said that, he started explaining some basic barrier examples and spells which Yennefer already knew but he then moved on to some advanced spells which caught Yennefer's interest. Soon, she became engrossed in their lessons that she didn't notice the time flying by.

Day after day, the two discussed new subjects ranging from healing to complex necromancy, and powerful destructive spells to complex wards. They might have been engrossed in their lessons but that didn't mean that they forgot about their surroundings completely. Yennefer still took the time to take breaks in between for looking after Geralt and for spending her own time, doing god knows what while Crevan would just laze around on a tree while slowly eating an apple, enjoying the taste to the fullest.

A week passed by and Yennefer had soaked in the knowledge granted to her by Crevan soon enough. She had plenty of respect for the Witcher after this that she couldn't help asking,

"You are a Witcher by appearance and profession. You even admitted this. However, your disposition and knowledge is more than most mages I know. You know and cast spells I have only heard of in legends. Tell me, are you a Witcher or are you a mage?"

Crevan touched his nose as he said, "I like to think of myself as both… I am a Witcher first, a mage second. Magic is something that I explored only later in life, due to having a lot of time."

Yennefer asked, "You look no older than me or Geralt, in fact, you look younger than we are."

Crevan replied, "That's because I actually am. I would be in my 60's on the Continent right now. However, time moves at a faster rate here than at the continent. I stopped counting after I crossed 200."

"Anyway. I believe you have everything you might need to face the Wild Hunt. This way, you at least have a chance of facing them without fearing the risk of dying."

Yennefer nodded and said, "Thanks to you."

Crevan laughed and said, "No need to thank me. I just didn't expect you to take in everything so quickly. It's almost frightening!"

Yennefer smiled at the compliment but she was growing impatient. She said, "So, when do we leave?"

Crevan said, "Let's go to Geralt. I'll create the portal there so that you can move back to the continent."

Yennefer nodded her head as they both traveled back to the hut to find a still sleeping Geralt. Yennefer had a look of longing in her eyes which Crevan detected quite easily. He asked,

"You really love him, don't you?"

Yennefer didn't answer that question and asked, "How do you plan on sending us back to our world?"

Crevan looked at her and said, "Oh, that's simple."

As soon as he said, his eyes glowed a bit as a portal was created instantaneously, emitting a pale green light. She looked at him, not at all surprised that he could do that but was caught off guard that he did it that quickly.

"I thought creating portals between worlds was a nigh-impossible task, even for masters of the arcane."

Crevan replied, "I'm an exceptional case if I may add."

Yennefer looked at him as she thought of many a range of possibilities, and powers but none fit the bill, except one. Her expression turned into one of shock as she looked at him and asked,

"You...You carry the Hen Ichaer, the elder blood, don't you?"

There was no other explanation for his powers according to her. She thought it was impossible. To find another one that had the same powers as her Ciri. But, here he was, alive in the flesh.

He looked at her with a smile as his eyes shone a bit. He said,

"You have your answer, now it's best you leave. Farewell and May you be successful on your path."

Yennefer yelled, "Wait!"

However, he forcefully threw them out of the realm by sending both of them into the portal. He didn't want to be bombarded by a wave of never ending questions, questions that he didn't wish to answer.

And there he was. Once again left to his own peace and quiet, with no other to disturb him. He was peaceful now, with serenity reigning sovereign, burying the recent chaotic events….

Or so he thought for a while….

Once Crevan had forcefully evicted the pair of lovers, he went back to his home. On his way back, he had hunted some deer and made cooked it at home for supper. However, his mind was not in place at all during this time as he was thinking about something else.

Once supper was finished, he moved downstairs, to the training hall. He entered the hall and moved towards the chest at the end of the room. He stood in front of the chest and opened it. Inside was an old piece of cloth covering the contents of the long chest. He kept his hand on the cloth and hesitated for a moment to remove it but he quickly did so.

Inside was a set of armor, a pair of boots, and two swords. It was a set of the Kaer Morhen Witcher Armor. So many memories were associated with it. Memories that were both good and bad. He traced his hands over the armor and saw that dust had collected on it. He frowned and immediately put the armor on a stand that was nearby and cleaned it with a piece of cloth. Once it was clean, the armor shone with splendor. It had signs of wear and tear but it didn't seem to be out of life yet.

The Witcher smiled at that and then donned it. He then brought his attention to his swords. The swords were covered completely in a black leather sheath. The handles of the blades had a deep brown, almost red-looking leather grip. Both swords had the insignia of a wolf on the bottom of the hilt.

He took the swords and slightly removed them from their sheathes, to check the condition of the blades. They were spotlessly clean like they were supposed to be. Not a hint of rust on them. There were some runic engravings on them, with the runes shining blue when taken out. The engravings were in the Elder speech, with the steel sword having the character for Sun or 'Feainn' while the silver sword had the character for Moon or 'Gwynlei'.

He strapped the swords to his back and closed his eyes for a moment. He breathed in and out slowly, calming his nerves before he suddenly opened them and drew his steel sword. He performed a couple of quick slashes and dodged sideways before giving a vertical slash. He then moved back while parrying attacks from an opponent. He moved back quickly and then gave a rotating kick. Once he was done with that, he immediately rolled forward and performed a stab, before quickly performing another roll to the side, to avoid another attack.

In his mind, his opponent was now enraged, charging forward with his sword in hand. However, Crevan smirked and immediately teleported behind his opponent and performed a quick horizontal slash beheading his surprised opponent. He then sheathed his steel sword.

Now, he took his silver sword out of its prison. The sword was raging to go out as he now wielded it in a careful way. He quickly dodged out of the way and performed a sign for Quen. This time, he charged towards the monster and gave it a couple of slashes before rolling out of the way. He let the monster approach him, and moved to the side at the last moment before slashing it horizontally. He moved out of the way quickly making distance from him. However, his imaginary opponent charged at him and intended to perform a body slam which he dodged by rolling out of the way. He was very patient, only going in when the opportunity allowed him. Never making a misstep. When the monster was at its last breath, he teleported behind it and gave a slash at its leg and then to the side leaving a deep cut in it's body, and then on the other side as he gave a rotating slash to another limb and this time he jumped from above as he thrusted the sword into the monster's brain.

However, all he hit, at last, was merely stone as the silver sword flew away from his hand and he fell back onto the stone floor like a buffoon. He looked at himself and then laughed like a loon as he went ahead and picked up the sword. As he did, he looked to the side and saw himself in the mirror.

He looked at the reflection and smiled with nostalgia. However, that soon ran out of his mind as he shook his head. He thought,

'Everything is different. Everyone is different. You no longer live in the past. Learn to accept that.'

He removed the swords from his back and carefully placed them in the chest once again. He then proceeded to remove his armor, once again changing back to his normal clothes. This was who he was right now. He looked himself in the mirror right now but still could not accept what he saw.

He saw a man who has given up. However, he sighed, knowing that it was the only way for him. He moved towards the chest, almost about to close it, when a piece of metal caught his eye. It was a chain, covered underneath the cloth on where he found the armor. He dug underneath the cloth and pulled out the chain to find a wolf head medallion staring right back at him.

It was his medallion.

He stared the medallion right in the eye, and to his surprise, he saw a reflection of himself. His younger self

Flashback

A young Crevan stood in front of Vesemir, Eskel, Geralt and Lambert awaiting to undergo his last trial.

The Trial of the Sword.

This trial was invoked when one of the Witcher believes that the recruit is yet to show his full talents in becoming a Witcher. That was the reason under normal conditions. This one was however…

"You're merely making the Trial harder for me, old man." complained the young Crevan. He looked to be around 17 years old right now. He had been studying along with the Witchers for nine years, learning everything they had to offer. Alchemy, Beastiary, Signs, he absorbed the knowledge like a sponge and wielded them like a true master. The sword was difficult at first as he didn't have the physique to wield it. However, Vesemir grinded him day and night, making him train as his body grew to fit the ability. His body was muscular but they were lean like a swimmer. He was able to wield a sword properly now without any difficulty like any other Witcher.

He was ready to undergo the trials at the age of 15 but they believed that he was still too young to do so and waited until now, finally becoming his moment to shine.

"You are an odd case and you know that. We only waited so that we could instill everything we learnt into you," argued Vesemir.

"Then why are you making this tough for me?!" asked Crevan

"The only way we know whether you have actually comprehended what you have learnt is by testing you and thus we have this trial. This would be the last one. We already know about your senses, so I doubt you need to do the School of the Wolf test."

True, this was the last one that Crevan had to face. He had already passed the Trial of Grasses and the Trial of Forest Eyes. The trial of grasses wasn't easy for him and caused him immense pain but he was able to fare through. He had gained his cat eyes with an amber coloration, while his reflexes improved. The trial of forest eyes was quite easy for him as he had sailed through it without any trouble.

He navigated through the pond quite easily but he was careful when it came to Old Speartip. The Cyclops was still asleep when he had arrived. He silently went past it, not disturbing the bane of many a recruit, including one of his old friends Voltehre. Once he had gone past the Cyclops, he had faced with some rock trolls, who he had negotiated with quite easily. He was at the Circle of the Elements in no time and finished the trial rather quickly.

He beat Geralt's record time by a huge margin that they decided to subject him to further mutations, knowing that he could handle them and that he did. However, while he did survive, it was more painful than the last. Crevan almost died from the pain of his body changing over the course of a week. He lost the pigmentation on his hair but unusually, not on his skin, unlike the case with Geralt. His eyes, however, turned from the normal amber color to emerald green.

His last test required him to beat a Witcher in a pure sword fight that tested his skills with a blade. Crevan however didn't know who he was facing and thus asked,

"Alright, who would I be facing then? Is it you Geralt?"

Geralt shook his head and said, "Not me."

"Wait, then it's Lambert right?"

Lambert replied with a laugh, "Yeah, right kid. Like I would even bother."

Crevan had a lingering fear in his mind as he asked, "Eskel?"

Eskel smiled and said, "Good luck facing him kid."

If these three Witchers are out, then there is only one other option that is left. Crevan looked at Vesemir who was giving him a wolfish grin. He said,

"Aye lad. I'll be your opponent."

Crevan grew wary at the declaration. If he didn't want to face anyone in sword combat, it would be Vesemir. He was not only the oldest Witcher alive but one of the greatest swordsmen out there. Crevan had nightmares battling him as he had lost against Vesemir even when he went easy on him.

He may have a certain mastery with the sword, but against Vesemir, that counted as nothing. Vesemir went to the training ground followed by Crevan. Vesemir drew out his sword and said,

"Draw your blade, boy. I will not go easy on you this time."

Crevan responded to Vesemir's invitation by drawing out his sword. He feigned confidence by saying,

"Bring it on, old man."

The two opponents looked at each other as each moved around in a circle, looking for an opening. Like wolves, they waited for their prey to show weakness, waited for an opportunity to strike. They rotated for two full circles before Crevan was the one to attack.

He went forward with a vertical slash which Vesemir blocked and with his sword, However, Crevan didn't give up as he rotated his body and gave a rotating slash at Vesemir's left shoulder. Vesemir dodged the attack by taking a step back. Crevan moved forward to attack the old Witcher who parried all his moves. The young Witcher continued his aggressive attacks in hopes of finding an opening, but the old Witcher continued to parry them with ease before giving a counter-attack to one of Crevans's strikes. Crevan immediately took some distance from his opponent as he dived back.

'The old man is too strong to attack straightforward. He may be old but he's not weak. Guess I need to think of a plan.'

The old man saw Crevan thinking hardly and yelled, "What?! Is that all you can do?! If so, then let me finish this once and for all."

The old man began to aggressively attack Crevan who dodged those attacks. While dodging them, he saw the corner wall and an idea had struck him. He smiled as he Crevan parried the attacks from the old Witcher, all the while noting his position. Vesemir continued attacking Crevan and pushed him into a corner. He looked at him with a disappointed glare as he said,

"Be wary of your surroundings whenever you fight! How many times have I taught you that!?"

Vesemir continued his flurry of attacks as he continued to push the young recruit against the wall. Crevan parried the flurry of attacks that Vesemir gave, but he couldn't continue to do so for long. Vesemir noted that and increased his assault, trying to break away Crevan's defense.

Crevan thought, 'Wait for it.'

He then hit the back of the wall and smile but Vesemir knew that this was the end for him, Crevan then saw the opportunity he was waiting for and thought,

'NOW!'

He immediately squatted and dodged the slash that Vesemir gave, which unfortunately hit the wall. Vesemir loosened the grip on his sword as he thought,

'What?!'

Crevan took hold of this opportunity and disarmed his opponent by attacking his sword arm, and a kick to his leg. Vesemir fell on the ground from behind due to imbalance. Once he did, he coughed a little and saw that his sword was by his side. He was about to get it but he felt a sharp blade near his neck and a voice that called,

"Yield?"

Vesemir looked above and saw a grinning Crevan. He looked at him with a grumpy expression as he sighed and said,

"I've lost."

Geralt and the others were surprised at this turn of events. Eskel was the one to recover first as he whistled,

"Whistles" "The kid defeated Vesemir in a sword match. That's impressive."

Lambert laughed and said, "Oh man! The old man got beaten up by a kid at his own game. The others would laugh when they hear about this!"

Eskel wryly smiled at Lambert before looking at Geralt and asked, "You must be proud of that kid right now."

Geralt had his usual stoic face but Eskel could detect a sense of pride in him. He heard him say, "I can say the same of you."

Eskel replied with a smile as he said, "Aye."

Meanwhile, Vesmir got up and dusted himself off. He looked at Crevan and said, "You drew me in towards the corner and positioned yourself in such a way that I would hit the wall didn't you?"

Crevan replied with a grin and said, "Yeah. Conventional tactics wouldn't work on you, so I had to think of something else. It was a close one too. You would have got me if I had waited any longer."

Vesemir replied, "Alright, alright, don't need to be so smug about it. Go on in and wait for us in the castle. It's time we welcome you as one of our own."

Crevan gave a nod and then went on his way with a smile on his face. Geralt approached Vesemir and said,

"It seems he's happy that he's finally becoming one of us."

Vesemir asked, "Well aren't we too?"

Geralt chuckled lightly before saying, "That is true."

They remained silent for a while as Geralt asked, "Why did you battle him, master? You knew that he was strong enough in the art of the sword."

Vesemir replied, "As I said before. The only way to bring out a person's talents is to test him. And sometimes, the tests are made to be seemingly impossible while they are well within their ability."

Geralt remained silent as the old Witcher continued, "This trial had another purpose. It was to remove the fear from young Crevan's mind. He had a mental block in him. A mental block known as me. He was under the impression that he could never defeat me. The only way to remove that fear was to force him to face me. I knew that he was ready, so I didn't worry. He's more of a swordsman than any of you lot."

Geralt nodded and said, "A better Witcher too."

Vesemir replied, "That yet remains to be seen."

Geralt said, "I know he will be."

Vesemir laughed and said, "Well, I won't deny that."

Vesemir then added, "Let's go, I'm sure that young Crevan is eager to be initiated."

Geralt nodded his head and followed after him. Unknown to both of them, Crevan had been behind them all this time, listening in on their conversation. He had a smile on his face as he went to the hall.

And then began his life as a Witcher. For he was no longer a recruit. But a true Witcher. One of the best ones there will be.

Crevan fondly remembered the times after that. The time he got the silver medallion from Vesemir who initiated him into the circle of Witchers. Eskel had given him the armor he wore while Lambert had given him a horse that he won. Geralt gave him the two swords that he used, forged by the best craftsmen there was. These two swords had been following him from that day, on his journeys to slay down monsters and saving damsels in distress.

However, those tales came to an end after that incident. The incident forced him to choose the life he has. He shook his mind to not dwell too deep into the past. There were fond recollections and then there was the act of living in the past. He only wished for the former and not the latter.

His thoughts then came to the painting that was closed. He looked at it with complicated thoughts that one cannot fathom. He was drawn it. To see it. To see them once again. And he did.

He unraveled the cloth revealing a beautiful yet simple painting.

It was a painting of his parents. He looked at his mother, and then at his father, tracing his hands over their being. He thought,

'Am I wrong to stay away? Am I not protecting them by doing what I do now?'

His mind had started pondering on recent events, the times he saved Yennefer and Geralt. The plots he came to learn against those he would call near and dear. The dangers that lie against them. The odds that they face.

He knew that he could not stand by and do nothing but it was that. He had to do nothing. Otherwise, there would be even worse consequences.

He knew this, he knew that he would get himself involved if Yennefer stayed any further, or worse if Geralt had awoken to see him. That is why he quickly sent them away. In order to bury those thoughts. However, those thoughts could not be buried. And that is why he came down here. To find some solace in his chaotic mind. To find peace in all this conundrum that were his emotions.

To reconnect with the past and to remember why he left it behind.

And he did. However, as soon as he saw the portrait of his parents, a new feeling arose within him. It was the feeling of dread.

He remembered how his parents were killed. He knew that things were already out of hand but knew one thing. He was weak. He was powerless to do anything and yet, now he had all the power but he couldn't fight.

His thoughts became clearer and clearer, 'No… I am not protecting them. Not this time. This time, I'm merely running away. Running away into a fool's paradise of believing everything will be alright.'

His mind had come to a decision, 'No more…. I will take this no more.'

He looked at the chest and once again opened it. He donned the suit of armor and strapped the swords to his back. He had but one conviction,

'I won't run away… not this time!'

END

A/N: Well, there you have it folks. Yeah, You might have seen the dialogues on the Elder speech. Some of them are pure nonsensical words while others are taken straight off the Witcher wiki. I did the best I could with what I had. Anyways,

Hope to see you guys on the next chapter. It may be on Wednesday or Thursday. Till then!