Disclaimer: I don't own Witcher or DMC franchise.

Wlyman2009: I can see your frustration, but as the story progress, slowly others will become suspicious of Dante and blow his cover up by themselves.

Meech macko: I'll see to it, but cannot promise anything.

Chapter 9: Where Evil Lurks

(2 weeks and 3 days later)
Lammas, 7th savaed (August 3, 1300)

Ducal palace, Toussaint, 7:30PM...

Duchess Anna henrietta was talking with a Vineyard owner regarding the matters concerning wine production.

It had been 23 years since she and her sister Syanna reconciled their relationship and putting their differences behind. But their family had never been so happy. Together they would spend more time in the 'Land of thousand fables' even now, whenever they were free, an illusive world created by a mage named Artorius Vigo(uncle to Fringilla Vigo). This very much affected their age and age related attributes such that at 56, they only looked like 35-38. That was a reason why they appeared quite charming and a little young even for their actual age. The Illusive world is illusive yet real for anyone inside.

Syanna's afflicted with the bad luck curse called the 'Curse of the black sun'. But before their father's death, he revealed a partial truth about the curse. That this was more like a hereditary disease passed down to children and grandchildren for 6 generations as contradictory to what they assumed as a rare case. Both the sisters couldn't identify the root cause of this problem. For years, they had been looking for powerful mages to identify the reason for the severity of the curse and why it was happening for them, but every attempt at lifting the curse was a failure. Over time, they even doubted whether this was truly the black sun curse or something else.

Day by day, Syanna's condition worsened to a point that she started to feel tormented and had nightmares. She often fell ill both physically and mentally...And that continues even now.

"Monsieur Arthur, why do I see a downfall in wine production this year? Besides, my men had informed me of poor vineyard maintenance in 3 of your grounds. WHAT...is the meaning of this? Do you know how much this will affect the economic status!? This ultimately becomes the people's burden" said Anna henrietta in her incandescent tone.

"Apologies, your grace. But I would like to tell you that it was not my fault. The summer heat this year was higher. The temperature was intolerant. Every seed had simply turned into a decayed matter" replied Arthur in a trembling voice. Anna understood his point and it was valid.

"Then you should have predicted this with your experience and informed me early on. But, let's not dwell on the mistakes. The ducal treasury will help in outsourcing the seeds needed. Now is the good time to start planting" said Anna.

"Merci, your grace. Then I will make preparations" cheered Arthur and bowed before leaving the palace.

Then she turned to her sommelier, Antoine, successor to Benoit.

"Antoine, take care of the seeds to be purchased and make sure it was delivered to Arthur in time" ordered Anna.

"As your wish, your grace" replied Antoine and left the chamber. She then let a relaxed breath and that's when she heard a loud cry.

"AAAHHHHHH..." a scream from the upstairs. Anna's face frowned in fear and the others, Guillaume, Vivienne and the other chamber ladies were alarmed at the scream and shared a hasty glance.

"By the lords, not again! Upstairs, NOW!" ordered Anna to which others complied. Then she and others raced upstairs to check on the sound.

After, pacing through the corridors, they finally reached a big door. Guillaume was waiting for Anna's orders.

"Do it captain" said Anna. Guillaume nodded and opened the big door. The next thing they saw was Syanna, beside her bed sitting on the floor as if she fell down and was staring at the nothingness and screaming and swinging her hands to prevent something from reaching her face.

"Syanna!" yelled Anna and ran over her sister and grabbed her shoulders. But Syanna didn't notice that.

"Stop! Leave me be! Don't come near me!" cried Syanna thrashing in the floor. Vivienne and the other ladies took her by her arms and tried to bring her up to her feet.

"Syanna...Syanna!" yelled Anna in vain, expressing extreme sadness. Sylvia's gaze were at the space behind them. Anna immediately waved Vivien to give her the narcotic herb to temporarily snap her out of the hallucination. After Vivienne handed over the dried and powdered herb, she brought and slightly spread it along Sylvia's face. She instantly reacted to it. Slowly as time went, Syanna began to gain consciousness of the present. She was then helped to sit upon the bed. It was a terrible head ache, but managed to talk to her sister.

"Syanna! Thank the goddess, how do you feel?" asked Anna deeply concerned about the well being of her sister. Anna was more worried about Sylvia over the years as her condition never improved. Sometimes, it was a mental torture, but at times, it could even get physical.

Syanna slowly gathered her breath and talked.

"How do I feel!? Hm...Weird question" replied Syanna, "I was in a place that burns with red fire everywhere. Then out of the flames, there comes a creature deadly as your worst nightmare. It keeps telling me to kill myself and you ask how I feel!?" asked Syanna with tears. Not only Anna but everyone in the room felt great pity over Syanna's condition. They admired her tenacity to survive even after being tormented like this for 2 decades after everyone admitted defeat as they failed to cure her.

Anna stood grave. People used to say that Anna(Her grace, but not so graceful) herself lacked one of the 5 chivalric virtues, but seeing her sister's suffering and yet couldn't do anything about it could be the worst punishment.

"You know, it's better if anyone of you killed me, would be damn good to be out of this misery" bleaked Syanna.

"No! I won't let that happen to you. I will find a way to cure you" said Anna. Syanna let a sarcastic smile and spoke,

"For 2 decades, no one did cure me. I don't think this is a simple luck curse. These visions...these strange creatures I see everyday is killing me from the inside" said Syanna despondently. Anna's face turned angry because of her inability to help her sister.

"Get me Victor, the alchemist, Now!" ordered Anna to Guillaume.

"Right away, Your Grace" bowed the captain and left the place. Syanna kept her both palms covering her face.

(After 2 hours...)

Guillaume arrived with a man in his late 40s, who had some pouches in his uniform and a alchemist cap.

"Your Grace, here he is as ordered" said the captain.

"Master Victor, it's good to see you" said Anna felt quite happy to see the alchemist. The alchemist let a faint smile and was glancing at everyone.

"I take it you summoned me for a reason, your grace" said Victor.

"Yes" replied Anna turning to her sister, "This is my elder sister, Syanna. She's suffering from-...I don't know how to put it-..."

"Curse of the black sun. Your captain was generous enough to give me gist of the problem. Sadly, I am not the right person to deal with curses" finished Victor which surprised the others including Anna, but she instantly replied to that.

"I know, but lately she had been suffering from hallucinations, says that she sees...things, strange creatures that we couldn't see" said Anna which turned Victor's face bug eyed. Anna then explained everything that Syanna had endured for 2 decades. Victor, for a second felt trembled after listening to her story. He couldn't even begin to imagine such a torture that Syanna had gone through.

He then walked near Syanna and touched her hand. Strangely, her pulse only showed signs of extreme fear. Other than that, the alchemist found no problems in her body. Besides, he couldn't find anything beyond his expertise.

"Strange, There's nothing wrong with her body. But definitely, she's afraid of something as her pulse is rapid, other than that, she's fine. I am sorry your grace, I couldn't do anything more than that. This is beyond my expertise" said Victor dolefully. This increased the sadness among the others. Anna was broken down with his reply.

"There's nothing you can do, master?" asked Anna.

"But based on what she experienced, I think your sister is being tormented by something, crippling her mind and will to live. You need a paranormal expert, your grace not a mage, witchers, alchemists or sorcerors" said Victor. Anna looked down sad fully and then turned to talk to the alchemist.

But they were surprised why they would need a paranormal expert. Syanna's suffering from a curse, but it's effects had taken a new turn from simple misfortune to signs of being tormented and Anna had witnessed some strange things happening around her sister. She already had that doubt whether this might be a paranormal activity.

"Thank you very much, master Victor. You may leave the palace" said Anna to which he bowed and left the place.

"Your grace, what shall we do now?" asked Vivienne. Anna was quiet, thinking of an answer.

"Anna, leave me to my fate. I'll consider it as a punishment for my past crimes" Syanna tried to console her little sister. Anna was truculent when it came to hear or others saying negative things about her sister.

"Don't worry, Syanna. I gave you my word and I will keep it until I am dead" said Anna reassuring her and then turned to Guillaume.

"Captain, ask your men to post a notice in need of a paranormal expert throughout the continent even the other continents across the seas, places like Ofier. I don't care how many weeks or even months it take, but send this notice and begin it right now" ordered Anna

"Yes, your grace. I will assign my agents for that right away" said Guillaume and then left the ducal palace.

Anarietta and Syanna shared a brief look. Anna thought that still she could set things right for her sister. It had never been easy for Syanna. As a kid, she was treated with disdain and kept ostracized. She ended up hanging with a local mercenary group and plan her revenge. Now this misery for 20 years. Syanna believed that something was stalking her and draining her life force, sad that only Anarietta believes it.

...

Dante and Ciri traveled from Skellige in a ship and reached the continent in 10 days. While they traveled the ship, Ciri explained Dante about the people, culture, lifestyle and advancements in every part of the Aen seidhe. Dante learned the names of each and every kingdom like Nilfgaard, Nazair, Ebbing etc., and the places beyond the continents and across the seas like Zerrikania, Ofier etc., including the topography. Dante was intrigued and looked forward in adapting to the new world until he leaves it. Also she gave the complete history of the mages, history of witchers and the different wars that the kingdoms waged and how brutal some were, like the non-human massacres and mages and alchemists burned and tied to stakes. Dante felt disgusted at that, while his world was no different in wars.

Then Ciri explained the infamous cults like the Eternal fire, Freya, Melitele, Great Sun etc., Out of that, Dante found the Eternal fire to be more obnoxious, coz they were the ones who were responsible for the pogrom that lasted until 28 before. But when he heard about a controversial mage group that supported assassination of kings, still he felt that not everyone should have been held accountable.

In the 10 days, Dante became well known with the names of each and every place and only needs assistance for quite sometime from Ciri to practice the routes.

After reaching the continent at Cidaris, they took a horse carriage to approach the city of Ellander for a week travel. Ciri mentioned that frequent use of her powers causes unwanted magical disturbances and drag unnecessary attention which she didn't wish to happen and Dante understood her situation and decided to let it go as he could have used a car if it were his world. But he had to adapt to survive in this place.

After 2 weeks and 3 days, she and Dante reached Ellander.

"Hah, it's been 2+ straight weeks and now here we are" said Dante.

"I own a house in this city. We can stay here and carry on our works until you leave" said Ciri. She and Dante got out of the carriage and then walked their way towards city gate. It was more forest outside the city gate, but they could see huts amidst the trees. After reaching the gate, they saw a lot of buildings and was active with people in the late morning. The first thing they saw was a large square with a statue of 3 women above a pedestal standing back to back with their arms extended. He assumed it to be Melitele, the mother goddess from what Ciri explained.

From there, they went deep inside the city where they reached the local streets. They dropped off and entered a house. Dante looked inside to find a simple yet good looking home which would serve as a sight for sore eyes.

"Like my house?" asked Ciri with a smile.

"Nice and shine" said Dante excitingly.

"We'll get cleaned and dressed, have our breakfast and rest until evening. If you want you can take up a sauna at the back. Then, we can go and meet my mentor" said Ciri.

"You mean Nenneke from the temple?" asked Dante to which she nodded.

For Dante, life started to seem to move slowly because of the lack of his world technologies, but didn't gripe about that. In a way he realized that the people here are advanced in a different way.

He took a sauna bath as Ciri suggested to relieve himself of the stress and then went with Ciri to a nearest inn to have a breakfast and then returned home to talk a lot about the continent. Up to that point, Earth or Aen seidhe, it didn't matter to him. It was all the same.

Ciri explained a lot about the lives of her family, her adopted family etc., She even explained about the different creatures that lurk the continent like relicts, specters, vampires, necrophages, elementals etc.,

Though Dante was from a modern world, he felt little effervescence in living a medieval life style. Strangely, it was too easy for him to adapt, but could be more than what meets the eye.

...

It was evening that day, after taking rest, Dante and Ciri decided to set out to the temple.

It was a day like any other in Ellander. The temple of Melitele was located close to the first square outside the city limits and it can be reached through another gate within the city. That's where mother Nenneke resides.

"Didn't you say that men were not allowed there?" asked Dante doubtfully.

"No, you are my guest and she treats guest with high respect and gender has nothing to do with it" replied Ciri to which he acknowledged.

Then both walked towards the Temple of Melitele. Dante drew quite an attention towards him and that big sword he carries. But Seeing Cirilla with him quite eased the tension or surely there might have been a problem as while they had seen witchers, people easily identified Dante not being a witcher yet someone who can bring big trouble.

They reached the other gate and passed through only to see the temple a few meters ahead. They walked the distance and reached the temple gate where they were stopped by 2 priestesses.

"Stop! Princess Cirilla, you are allowed inside, but he should remain here" said the 1st priestess looking at Dante with suspicion. Dante looked at Ciri sarcastically.

"This man is my guest from a far off land across the seas" said Ciri.

"This man looks more like trouble" said the 2nd priestess. Dante felt irate as he didn't do anything to deserve such aggression.

"Huh, A really warm welcome that was" said Dante with a Jest.

"CIRI!" yelled a woman suddenly from inside the temple behind the 2 priestesses. Everyone turned to see a 60-65 yr old woman. Ciri was happy to see her face after a long time. That was Nenneke.

"You can take care of the other works in the garden" ordered Nenneke. The 2 priestesses bowed left the place. Then she turned to face Ciri and both hugged, "It's been a long time Ciri!" greeted Nenneke.

"It is. How are you?" asked Ciri, "I'm fine" she replied and then after releasing the hug, Nenneke saw a white haired man with sapphire blue eyes and a big sword on his back in a red and black costume with strange symbols in the belt buckles, all of which drew a suspicion. Ciri noticed that and intervened before she could utter a word,

"This man here is Dante, from a far off land across the seas. He's a guest" said Ciri. Nenneke though wary let a sigh of relief. If he was a guest, then he would be treated like a family as per tradition.

"Greetings mam, good to see you. Ciri told me a great deal about you" said Dante with a smile.

"Of course, she must have. Though not a witcher from the look of your face, still I take it that you carry a big sword for a reason" said Nenneke dragging her words.

"I do. I am an expert in paranormal demonology, private investigator and a vigilant devil hunter" replied Dante which made Nenneke raise her eyebrow, even Ciri was confused with that term 'Devil hunter'.

"Huh, It's been a long time since I saw a paranormal expert. Why don't you both come in? besides, you are our guest" said Nenneke excitedly.

"Sure, we would love to spend some time here" said Ciri. Then the three went inside. That instant, Dante felt an immense amount of positive energy in the atmosphere, state of simplicity yet elegant with temple architectures. He saw priests helping with those who sought them, some doctors helping the sick.

They all entered a dormitory where there were men and women being treated. They all took a seat inside.

"So, Dante? it's glad to have a visitor from a far off land. I hope you find this continent to your liking" said Nenneke to which he nodded. Then she turned to face Ciri.

"How is the life of being a witcheress?" asked Nenneke.

"Can't complain. Good reward, great hunt, what one could ask for?" replied Ciri with a smile. Nenneke then turned to Dante,

"You said something about demonology? It's commonly called 'Goetia' in some parts of the continent. I think the study or practice is forbidden" she said. Dante let a sardonic smile.

"Hm, greed is a parasite. People are so greedy for wealth, pleasure and power and that they mess with things they don't understand. Play with black magic, occult and conjure up the trouble that eats them for the rest of their lives. My job is to set things right for them" explained Dante.

"So basically, you hunt down demons? Is that what you meant?" asked Nenneke to which he nodded. This was something even Ciri never knew but had her doubts as he already named 2 never before seen creatures that attacked the continent weeks before.

"Well...Hm...So the monsters you said you hunt are in fact demons?" asked Ciri who felt a slight skepticism at the mention of demons. Because a couple weeks back, the only demons she heard were the ones that resides in the underworld called Hell and the same creatures which brought the war during the conjunction. While witchers and mages deal with all kinds of monsters including demons like hyms, ethereal, draug which are not from hell etc., she doubted how could there be someone who specifically fight devils and demons of the underworld. Ciri assumed that there might be people in his world who knew the demons of the underworld more than them. But she also witnessed Dante carrying strange powers with him which he claimed to have obtained from the sword he carried. She had also seen him in combat, he himself fought like an inhuman being. On the whole, something didn't add up. But she decided to shelf those thoughts and keep an eye on him.

"The doors to the other planes are always open and when you play with it, your nightmares become reality" replied Dante cryptically.

"Now I understand. Besides, your expertise will be very much helpful in the whole continent as people like you are the rarest to find. Too sad we never had you a year ago" said Nenneke, her face slightly frowned and Ciri noticed that. Dante was confused with that statement. By the time, a big bowl of fruits was served by the temple servant for the three. Dante didn't bother to pick an apple and have a bite.

"Why that sadness in your face?" asked Ciri confused. Nenneke took some time to think and then spoke,

"Actually, I was reminded of a man whom we failed to save, someone who I once thought was just mentally ill, turned out to be something else entirely" said Nenneke.

"Who was he and what happened to him?" asked Ciri.

"His name was Boris. A peasant running an arts shop here. A wife and a son. The family saw good earning every month. All was fine for them until one day, Boris was physically attacked by something he couldn't see. At times he gets bitten and scratched by claws" said Nenneke which piqued Dante's interest. He instantly knew what those indications were but still needed more explanations to draw a conclusion.

"Did anyone looked at it?" asked Ciri seriously.

"We sought the help of alchemists, pellars, mages and witchers. They said they couldn't find what was the problem but all agreed on one thing. It was something else that hasn't been identified before" said Nenneke.

"How is that?" asked Ciri raising her eyebrows.

"Boris lately started to write sinistrical phrases in a language never seen or heard before and claimed that he never knew or even how he wrote that. I called upon Yennefer to help and she also brought the queen of Dol blathana, Francesca. Even they said that they had never seen anything like that and also that whatever's haunting Boris was deadly and had connections to something far ancient, including the language" said Nenneke.

"Wow, what...happened to Boris? Did he manage to find a cure?" asked Ciri slightly terrified with the story. Nenneke's face even more turned crestfallen.

"No. One day when his wife and his son returned home from market, they found him dead. He held a knife in hand while laying down with his throat slit and blood pooled around him" said Nenneke in a low grim yet sad voice. This stunned Ciri and even more to Dante. Dante realized after summing up the incidents and came to the conclusion. Ciri for a second, lost her breath after hearing the man's story whose face she didn't even know. Dante's face turned serious coz he knew what exactly it was and felt an urge to say something regarding that.

"My god! Poor man. I hope his wife and son are safe at least" said Ciri with heavy hearts. But Dante immediately interrupted.

"No, they are not" said Dante which shocked Both Ciri and Nenneke who then glanced at him.

"Wh-..Why did you say that!?" asked Ciri, her voice glowed in surprise. Dante took a deep breath and then spoke.

"That man Boris became a target to a demonic entity and that will not stop with his death. Even as of now, his wife and son are in danger The demon will target them next" said Dante which threw fits to Ciri and Nenneke.

"How do you say that? Besides if it's a demon, then why couldn't the mages or witchers handle it?" reasoned Ciri.

"You talk about the entities like Hyms and Draugs. Those are born out of the evil acts, cruelty and sins, people like us commit. They grow stronger in that and prey on us. Do something good, they become weak. What attacked Boris wasn't the mirrored entities but the 'infernals' " said Dante which made Ciri and Nenneke's face shrink in confusion.

"Infernals?" asked Nenneke.

"Demons that reside the underworld, creatures born out of the pure evil in the universe, beings that are opposite to the benevolent gods and his/her holy warriors" explained Dante which made Ciri and Nenneke to grow curious. They felt that this man had a lot of knowledge in these things.

"What can you tell us about these underworld creatures?" asked Nenneke.

"Just one thing, they are your worst nightmares. These demons can be summoned at will through witch craft but then one should get prepared to suffer for the rest of their lives. There are many demons that vary by their power, ranging from an infantary to the most powerful demon lords and arch duke. They reside in the third plane of existence called 'Hell'. Higher level rituals can even summon a demon lord who can make pacts with the people in exchange for their souls which they would never know and with even more twisted terms that everyone fail to recognize. Basically, these entities enjoy tormenting the souls and even good deeds cannot save oneself. They consume the innocent souls to make themselves stronger. The pain, suffering and the sins feed them as much as they wanted" finished Dante which was a great wrap up for the two ladies. Dante's explanation about these infernal demons of hell spun their heads.

Ciri was astounded with Dante's knowledge of the occult. At first, she thought him as a simple magic wielding underdog merc based on his attitude. But again, appearances are deceptive. She revised her opinion about him.

"You seem to know your thing, Dante. I think the goddess Melitele watch over us, that's why she sent you. So, you said Boris's family is still in danger. I don't know if it's right to ask this, but will you help the widowed family?" asked Nenneke with a renewed hope in her voice. Ciri was looking at Dante for his response. Dante gave some thought about that and then looked at Nenneke.

"I will do it" replied Dante which drew a smile from her.

"Then we three will go. After her husband's death, she don't let strangers in. She could let you in if I were with you" said Nenneke to which he nodded. Then she stood up from her chair and went inside her private room to ready herself.

"So, off to a demon hunting, huh? You never said that you know about the creatures of Hell very much even when Avallac'h did his explanation" said Ciri with a smirk. Dante wasn't thrilled at her question.

"Ciri, there are things I don't talk about often. I rather keep it to myself and that's not for my sake but for the other's" said Dante seriously. Ciri simply shrugged her shoulder. He then took his sword and sheathed it on his back.

"And not every demon is as bad as we presume" thought Dante.

...

Meanwhile at Velen,
1 km away from the Crookback bog orphanage

Geralt was riding on his horse, Roach for 2 weeks 3 days from the Carvo bianco vineyard at Toussaint. At last, he reached the Velen.

"Feeling tired Roach?" asked Geralt to which it raised a nickering sound.

"Huh, me too. Damn, it was more than 2 weeks and now just a kilometer away from the swamps" said Geralt and then galloped the horse into the woods.

It was a good ride outside the woods, fresh air and warmth evening sunlight passing the vaccum between the air molecules. Sounds of chirping birds and deers running over.

After 5 minutes, Geralt reached the edges of the swamp. He stopped and took a look at the woods. This brought him memories after memories of the past. This was the place he faced the crones, this was the place where Philip strenger aka Bloody baron took his wife Anna to a healer at the blue mountains.

"Come on Roach, Let's go" said Geralt and slowly rode the horse not wanting to attract the necrophages towards him.

The moment he stepped inside the woody swamps, the first thing he saw was the abandoned orphanage and a small tower. Next was something he wasn't too thrilled to see. It was corpses. They were burned, dried and devoid of blood. Corpses of not only humans but the necrophages and fiends as well. Geralt saw humans who were none other than Nilfgaardian guards and natives who live here. But there were also bodies of drowners, ghouls, alghouls, water hags and fiends and some dead ravens. The whole swamp looked bloody.

"What the hell!? What-Just-Happened-Here?" asked Geralt in a low voice looking at the mess. He immediately got out of the horse and pulled Roach by its 'reins' in the riding gear. Then slowly walked along the murky waters, keeping his super human senses sharp to look for any trouble.

Then suddenly, he heard a squeaky voice trembling at the distance in a hideout. Geralt reflexively took his Aerondight and its runes glowed. The swamp was filled with silence and rustling of leaves other than this voice. He slowly walked towards a towered building which Geralt had previously seen while meeting the Crones for the first time.

He reached the building and took a couple of seconds to gaze at the building. It became clear for him that the voice comes from inside. He then paced towards the door and kicked it open

"AAHHH! Don't kill me! I will be your servant forever...Don't just kill me...Don't jus-..." that was all a woman...no, a woman 'thing' fell to the ground and screamed right at Geralt's face. That thing had a conical witch hat, an ugly face with one eye covered and the other like honeycomb wearing a torn up piece of cloth.

That woman thing was scared to shit at the sight of Geralt but then stopped after looking at him.

Geralt on the other hand was slack-jawed to see the thing begging for mercy and was even surprised to see her. She should have died decades ago at Ciri's hands. She was one of the three 'Ladies of the woods' and her name was Weavess. Geralt was stunned to see her and for a split second thought of slicing her throat but didn't do it as she herself was frightened of something which was evident.

"Urr...Urrr...Urr...Th-...Those red eyes, body, black as the dark, creeping in the shadows killed everything...*WHIMPER*..." she whimpered in fear.

"Well well! Now that's not something I see everyday. One of the three infamous Crones in fear and hostility?!" said Geralt. He then knelt down and then spoke.

"Hey...HEY! Look at me" yelled Geralt which calmed down the crone and then she slowly gazed at the witcher and if it had real eyes it could have expressed happiness at the sight of him.

"OH WITCHER! Glad you are here! Get me out of this place before he comes and find me?" Weavess trembled.

"Who will find you? And why there are lots of corpses here, burned and dried? Besides I ain't taking you anywhere" asked Geralt.

"I had been hiding in this place for years and enjoyed a little 'meal' then and there. But not until 2 days back" said Weavess.

"What happened 2 days back?" asked Geralt turning serious.

"I don't know how to explain it. All of a sudden, I felt a powerful energy source like I had never seen before. Even for me, there was this immense evil that filled the air and overwhelmed me. I was foolish to assume it as mere intruders and set my hounds and the servants of the forests against the invaders" said Weavess.

"And?" asked Geralt.

"What do you mean 'And'? You saw the corpses! Whatever invaded the swamp, it's face was nightmarish, long bunch of porcupine hairs with black body. Eyes like ruby. It was something worse. It crept along the shadows and stalked them to death. Dozens and dozens of soldiers, hags, fiends, drowners...all DEAD in a blink of an eye" screamed Weavess.

Geralt stood up and turned around to process the information. He decided not to take this lightly He also tried to validate if the crone was simply lying to him masking her agenda behind that ugly face. But he can always slice her guts if it became evident. He decided to go with her story for then as if there was something that scared the hell out of a crone, then it's better not to pass it up.

"Were you attacked?" asked Geralt.

"You won't believe this but it somehow sensed my presence. I did my damnest to hide myself in the basement below this building. I was close to being caught and that would have been the end of Weavess, the lady of the woods...urrrahhh! whimmed Weavess.

"Believe me, I would have done it anyway for the trouble you 3 gave me, Ciri and every single villager. You are lucky to be alive here for a long time. But given that there's something dangerous out there even you fear, guess you've already had your fill. So tell me where it first appeared" said Geralt in a cold and calculative tone.

"In the middle of the orphanage huts. You begin your search there" replied Weavess. Weavess is a tricky bitch but even then she knew when to fight and when to fall back just like she did when her sisters were killed by Ciri. Right now, she needed the help of a witcher to solve this problem. She was legitimately daunted by this strange entity.

"One last thing. While I was in the middle of Lyria and Rivia, There was a word of an attack at Vengerberg by some strange creatures weeks ago. But also heard a mysterious swordsman with powerful magic fended off the attack. Is it something related to what happened here?" asked Geralt referring to the strange incident that happened 2 weeks back. Weavess was blinking as she didn't know anything about that.

"I-...I don't know what you are talking about. I don't know any attack or swordsman" replied Weavess.

"Alright, stay here while I tend to it. Disturb my peace and I'll kill you myself" threatened Geralt who then proceeded to walk out.

"Witcher, Dying by your hands is far better than getting killed by this thing" said Weavess in a low voice which made Geralt to stop for a while stunned at her response and then he went outside. After flexing his muscles, he proceeded walk towards the orphanage.

Geralt is usually considered the powerful among the witchers and after taking additional mutations, it did wonders on him and granted additional strength and abilities that outmatch his former self. He's now more of a wrecking machine when it came to fight.

"Guess what we have this time" muttered Geralt.

He carefully walked along the orphanage's direction and used his senses to look for a clue. The next second second he got one. He knelt down to look at a foot print that represented big claws.

"Hm, what do we got here? Strange, a foot, but...of what? Never seen prints like this. 4 long fingers with at least 1 inch long claws. The print is big which means it should stand at least 7 feet tall" Geralt muttered and then stood back. He then looked for any similar print and instantly set his eyes on another similar foot print exactly 1 and 1/2 feet away and the pattern repeated to a few meters. He then walked tracing the prints and reached the edge of the huts border.

"Hm, whatever this thing is, it's a biped. But the prints vanish from here"

Geralt then jogged into the middle of the orphanage area amidst a pile of different corpses. With his sharp eyes, he couldn't track the prints. Right from the beginning, if there was something that Geralt sensed, it was this foul smell in the air that was pure evil in nature. The medallion hummed greatly that it caused a minor physical discomfort to him. He had never felt this heavy before. He felt that something was still lurking that place and somewhere something silently watching his movements.

"No foot prints but lots and lots of bodies. Surely this thing must be good at lunging or...Or could be something else entirely" muttered Geralt then turning head left and right confused. Then he was suddenly reminded of Weavess's words.

"She said something lurked the shadows" said Geralt and then turned to look at some of the trees that were straight out broken in half and was totally uprooted. Geralt inspected one such tree where a fiend carcass lies half rotten. He examined the broken tree.

"Damn, this beast is powerf-...Wait! It's not the beast, but the fiend...Shit! The fiend was thrown against the tree and it's weight uprooted it completely! Judging by the breakage, the thing must have slingshot the fiend at least 10 mtrs away" exclaimed Geralt. Geralt was stunned to think of a beast that could throw a fiend that weighs like mammoth.

"Throwing a fiend? This beast is dangerous. What's with the burnt up bodies?" said Geralt. This was something odd. Every body had one thing in common, all appeared burnt up, dried and devoured of blood.

"Could it be the beast using fire and summoned magical flames?" surmised Geralt. "Whatever, I think it's better to leave this place. If I can't find what did this, then I can't help" .

He then proceeded to walk fast towards Roach nearby the tower building. But after a few steps, there was a loud growl and scream that filled the air which made Geralt to instantly unsheathe his Aerondight. His head turned rapidly around to look for the source. There were echoes around the swamp and the place started to get quite darker.

"Damn, run Roach!" yelled Geralt and patted the horse on it's back and it ran out of the orphanage area.

Then suddenly the space around him started to fill with several pairs of twinkling red lights. Geralt was wondering what it could be. Then in a second, a body shape started to form around the pairs and became the eyes for whatever is present.

"What the hell are those things!?" asked Geralt readying his sword. The creatures appeared only as a black shadow that resembled a hym with the exception, their eyes were glowing red. The creatures were all focused on him and raising a gritting sound like dogs.

Then immediately one creature lunged at him. Geralt instant used Quen and blocked it's attack. Then rolled back and used Aard shockwave + freeze and did nothing on it. When another creature lunged at him, he jump dodged to his left and drew his pistol and shot twice at it. The bullets simply passed into it unharmed.

"Shit! These things must be specters" muttered Geralt and after holstering his gun, he enchanted the sword using a spell to target the specters.

Then two creatures leapt at his position and swung it's clawed arms. Geralt knelt down and blocked them with his sword and repelled them back and connected with a powerful strike over one creature which went dissolved in to the air. For the other one, he maneuvered its attacks and tilted his sword backwards and slit it's throat and it died too.

5 more lunged at him and this time, Geralt reflexively used Yrden to create a seal and when the creatures entered it, their shadowy form turned physical and found difficult to move fast. Geralt used this opportunity and used whirl attack to slice and dice the creatures and this time it all fell down instead of dissolving. Once the seal was vanished, the too disappeared.

Several more creatures lunged all around him. Geralt used the Quen shield knock off ability where the creatures after striking the shield, with perfect timing after being released, knocked the creatures back. Then he maneuvered each and every attack and stroked his sword against the creatures with violent slashes that killed the entities. But he still saw them spawning one after another.

"Damn it! Gotta finish this before things get ugl-...Aahhh!" Geralt said until being attacked by a creature that crept from his own shadow. He fell down and rolled to some distance and then slowly got to his feet. Then he felt some pain only see that he was bleeding behind the lateral muscle. Geralt grunted in response and breathed quite rapidly. Even for his strength and resilience, this was quite deep. It would have instantly killed any normal human. But Geralt's superhuman healing gives him the edge to virtually survive anything.

He then stood back in his feet and saw the creatures ready to pounce on him. He instantly made a plan to wipe them off in sweep. For that he readied a small magical spell. To make that spell function, he must drink a certain potion that Yennefer made for him. He had one in a small bottle inside his armor pouch. He took that out pop opened the cap and drank half of it. Suddenly he felt a slight dizzy as mage potions can have quite an effect over witcher's body.

Geralt never trained to be a mage but learned some simple spells to manipulate signs to create new effects.

He closed his eyes and cited the spell in mind and then opened his eyes. The shadow creatures all came at lethal speed with their claws pointed towards him. Geralt placed a very large Yrden seal. When the creatures piled up inside, their bodies turned physical, slowed down and also their bodies were covered with a purple energy targeted at each of them. Then Geralt charged the combined Aard sweep and shock wave to full level and then released it. This caused a powerful explosion of shock wave to greater extent and Geralt simultaneously summoned the Quen shield to protect him. The explosion knocked off all the creatures to nothing and the effect further traveled and destroyed all the houses of the orphanage.

After the storm, came the calm. The darkness vanished and the air became light. The warmth evening sunlight once again lit the swamps. Geralt slowly gathered himself and sheathed his sword and then turned to look at the mess.

"Huh, looks like the orphanage is no more, besides who would ever build anything here?" said Geralt in an amused tone but again turned serious. Then once again he turned to face the wound but couldn't see it properly. He relied on his healing until he gets proper medical attention.

"What the hell were those things? Looking like hyms but not hyms. They are not even wraiths. These are something else. I will better see that witch" said Geralt who then proceeded to walk towards the towered building. He opened the doors to see the crone still In the same posture he saw at first.

Before he could utter a word, the crone spoke.

"Oh Witcher! Thank the gods that you didn't face it. All you faced were that beast's minions" said Weavess feeling relieved.

"Do you know why they attacked? At least what those creatures were? That was a big fight" asked Geralt, his face irate.

"I don't know what they are or why they attacked the swamp. All I saw was a normal day and suddenly a portal opened and this creature jumped looking confused. Then it went on a killing spree. It vanished then. These things should be it's minion. Please! That's all I know" pleaded Weavess. Geralt was amused at the crone's pathetic condition.

"Listen fuck face, leave this place if you are willing to live or I don't have to kill you, these things would gladly do it for me" said Geralt in a cold grim tone. Weavess was expressionless and was pissed off at Geralt's attitude but she can't do anything now as she knew that Geralt would kill her in a split second.

"I DON'T need a mutant freak to tell me what to do...Aahhhh!" screamed Weavess and immediately turned to a bunch of raven and flew away from the place. Geralt raised his eyebrows at her reference and then nodded dismissively.

Then he came out and whistled his horse. Roach sprinted towards him and stopped. Geralt was gathering the thoughts about the recent incidents.

"This is dangerous. I still haven't faced the actual beast that the crone mentioned. The creatures I faced aren't sentient ones. The medallion caused me discomfort and there was this foul smell and heaviness in the air. These are signs of demonic forces. Could these be demons? And serve as minions to the actual beast what could be a very powerful demon leader or something like that?" the thoughts were moving at light speed for Geralt.

"How will I know? If I could bring a paranormal expert or an expert in demonology...Huh, If I could find one" Geralt dismissed that thought. He wanted to see through this as he decided that this is a mountain sized piled up problem and should be solved before it could become worse.

He spent 1 hour dealing with the swamp. He was looking for a way to bring someone to look into this.

"Triss? No, she's in Kovir. Yen must be in Ellander. Don't know a shit about other members of the lodge. Impossible to contact Avallac'h. Even if I can't reach Yen, I will contact her with the object she gave me a long ago. She knows a lot of black magic. She could help me" said Geralt to himself and then took a circular object out.

He then concentrated and the object glowed and blinked. Then suddenly, a mega scope like portal image appeared in front of him. He lowered his arm. then after sometime in the screen, a woman appeared walking to face him. It was Yennefer.

"Geralt, good to see you. I hope you reached Velen like you said" said Yennefer.

"I am in Velen, Yen. But things have taken a new turn here. It doesn't look good" said Geralt in a serious tone.

"Is there a problem, Geralt?" asked Yennefer suspiciously.

"I cannot say everything here. Can you teleport to Velen, in the exact place?" asked Geralt hastily.

"Geralt!? Are you out of your mind?" asked Yennefer in surprise.

"Yen, when I say something's not right, I mean it. Can you or not? Or else I'll go ahead search somebody else" said Geralt which really made Yen to feel displeased but she recognized the weight in his words.

"Alright, something tells me that something's really not right. I'll be there in an hour. Wait for me" replied Yennefer to which he nodded. Then the screen went off and Geralt put the object back into the pouch.

He went near a big rock and took a seat upon that and rest until Yen arrived. The sun was fully set. He waited for almost an hour with nothing else to do but to recall the incidents. But the situation once again started to become worse, suddenly infrasonic growling echoes started to resonate. Geralt barely heard words in an unknown tongue in the echoes. He stood upon the rock, his heart beat slightly increased. This time the air around him became even more heavy and surprisingly, the medallion didn't react to it. Geralt felt immense hostility around him.

"Shit! Now what?" said Geralt standing and looking for the source of voice.

...

A/N: Syanna's story would be like Heart of Stone in terms of quest size and ambition.