MLTO C6, P8.1- "Tyrant's Last Rhymes"

This is the Extra Part for "MLIV:TO" 's sixth and final Chapter, as well as the last part in "MLIV:TO" overall.
It was released on 15.05.2023.
== Plot ==
Ten years after the gruesome defeat of the vile emperor known as Marcus Redmark, our heroes have settled into their respective roles in Life. Many have ventured off into lands far away, but our heroes never forgot their mission. They stay in a small city on the coast, hidden from the outside world but still eager to help people in need. In their years of solitude, many have been aided by them. And there are many more to go.
But the true mission was never forgotten. Even though Redmark is gone, the beings who allowed (and helped) him nearly conquer the entire world are still on the loose. The mysterious race that watched as the world fell apart from afar are still committing their heinous crimes. And yet, they did not manage to stay for long. Geralt eventually finds clues that might lead him and his team to the villains' precise location, preparing himself for one last assault.
Will our heroes manage to finish what they started ten years ago?
== Story ==
An entire decade have passed since the Redmark callamity plagued the Earth. Thousands of settlements, big and small, were wiped out in the ensuing battle between Good and Evil. Redmark's army caused more than just physical damage and that can still be seen, even in the present times. Although the evil emperor was swiftly defeated and burned at a stake by the people that he tried to hurt so many times, the damage was still there, looming ominously over the heads of its unfortunate victims.
In the time since the emperor's departure from this world, Geralt and Aurelia have managed to settle down and become a family. However, Geralt's refusal to have any children with the Moonglow maiden has always been quite clear, slightly annoying the woman who has always loved him very much. Even so, she was never angry at him for not wanting to have any heirs themselves. She was still proud of the good deeds that he has done and is more than eager to take care of her sister's children- William and Quinn, given the last name of the fabled and legendary Kaos family to use as their own.
As for the two youngsters, it turns out that they have vastly different personalities, even though they are twins and were pulled out of their mother's womb at nearly the same time. The beautiful, black-haired William (Nicknamed Will by his uncle Geralt, Willy by his first aunt Aurelia and Willson by his second aunt Kiara) turned out to be quite promising in terms of heroics and smarts. His vast knowledge when it comes to remembering the deeds of heroes long past has caused him to become a brilliant student and capable thinker at the same time, all at the age of 10. Unlike him, however, his blonde twin brother Quinn has been quite a nuisance to his family, even though he rarely said anything to them. Or maybe this is the problem, because he turns out to be quite secluded. Even though he never came to see his parents in person, their loss seems to haunt him greatly, and he prefers to spend his time reading various books that his uncle Geralt brings him than to socialize with his peers. A truly unfortunate difference, but they still manage to get along. Mostly.
Much like her little brother, Kiara has decided that life in the big city of Silverdale is not for her. Soon after Aaron came to seek her out again, she fell madly in love with him and decided to give him a chance. The two of them eventually got married, bought a mansion for their entire family to live in (Now known as the New Kaos Residence) and had a wonderful daughter that they named Sophia- a young maiden that is just as beautiful as her own name- in the same year when William and Quinn were born. However, it turns out that the two of them are not very good parents, as they are always very busy and rarely have time to talk to their daughter. The little lady does not like being alone, so she often runs off to stay with her uncle Geralt and aunt Aurelia. She has a very strong bond with Geralt and loves him more than her own parents. Kiara and Aaron (as well as Geralt himself) worry that she might want to move in with the mighty hero permanently and become his mentee, something which has not been disturbing Aurelia way too much, as she gladly regards the little lady as her own.
But that is not the main course of this little future. As far as people may know, there is still a massive threat out there. Innocent people are still getting slaughtered on the roads. Unfortunate refugees are still running away from their homes. And, worst of all, a mysterious and malevolent force is preventing our heroes from rebuilding their ruined society.
Geralt has been analyzing this problem very carefully. With the help of his allies, he managed to discover a novel's worth of letters, written by a mysterious and cunning individual, simply known as "Master Alric". It is implied that he is the one who helped Redmark take control of the Empire and make most of the Known Lands fall on their knees. If that is the case, then our heroes have something much more powerful to worry about than the vile emperor himself.
As the mysterious army of evil continues to ravage the Known Lands after Emperor Redmark's defeat, the future continues to become more and more uncertain. Picking up from where the story left off, Geralt Kaos stands in the New Kaos Residence's office, frantically inspecting reports made by warriors of the Known Lands who came to see the alien beings with their own eyes and lived to tell the tale.
"I have faced many enemies in the dark past. Villains who were far more dangerous than they seemed to be. But the things that those people are saying... they imply that we've come face to face with a being of unknown origin. A warrior of the unexplored lands, hidden deep within his nest of evil and protected by the beasts that he has been fooling for so long."- He rants to himself- "But why? Why would he ever dare to do such a thing? What are his true motives? Could it be that he is jealous of us? Or maybe even angry for something that we've done in the past? Is he truly alone in the leadership of his own people? And does this mean that the individual who helped Redmark is much more dangerous than he is?!"
And then, he hears a familiar voice. He stands up from his desk and looks up,
"Geralt, honey. Are you alright?"- Aurelia asks- "You look like you've seen more than just a ghost."
Geralt stares at his wife for a few seconds. Then, he leans forward and hugs her.
"Umm."- Aurelia says- "What are you doing?"
Geralt smiles serenely.
"Appreciating the beautiful gift that Life has bestowed upon me, of course."- He responds- "Bad things are happening out there, my love. I refuse to lose you."
Aurelia smiles back.
"Oh, my sweet angel! I know how you're feeling!"- She exclaims- "When I lost Isa, I felt the same way. And that hasn't changed at all, not even in those horrible times."
She hugs him back.
"I'll never allow Life to take me away from you."- She continues- "And I refuse to let you go, either. We're both here to stay."
Geralt sighs.
"Thank you for trusting me, even after so many years."
Aurelia continues to smile.
"Honey, I'll never stop loving you. You meant so much to me in the past and you always will. My love will last until my candle in this world is snuffed out. And even after that, I will still love you."- She says- "Do you understand how your beloved wife feels? And do you dare to feel the same way?"
Geralt touches Aurelia's face and gently strokes it. He admires her gorgeous features, as if she is the finest pearl in the Known Lands. And, in his eyes, she definitely is.
As Aurelia stares lovingly at him, Geralt leans forward. The two of them share a long, passionate kiss. Then, he leans forward and kisses her on the forehead, a sign of his absolute devotion throughout the years.
"And my love for you will always burn bright, even brighter than the Sun itself."- He says- "In my eyes, there will never be a woman more gorgeous than you."
Aurelia smiles again.
"And that's why I'll never stop loving you, my dearest."
As the two of them share another hug, Kiara and Aaron enter the room.
"Hey, little bro. We're back."- Kiara says- "How's the hunt for that alien going-- "
And then, they see the two of them hugging.
"Umm."- She adds- "Are we interrupting something important?"
Geralt sees his sister staring at him and gently lets go of Aurelia. Then, he shakes his head.
"Nothing really important."- He says- "I was just admiring my love again."
Kiara smiles.
"Well, I think that you have a good taste!"- She exclaims- "Aurelia should consider herself lucky for having you around!"
Aurelia stares at her.
"Of course I do!"- She says- "A wife always considers herself lucky to be with her husband!"
Kiara nods.
"But your loved one should feel the same way, dear."- She says- "After all, you're the one who's been giving him strength and motivation for an entire decade!"
Aaron smiles.
"Just like you've been giving it to me."
Kiara sighs.
"Anyway, this is not what we're here for."- She adds- "We're here to take your report. Do you have it?"
Geralt nods.
"My studies turned out to bear more fruit than I had expected during the first week. The alien being that we are analizing is more than just a puppet of Redmark."- He says- "According to what I saw in those letters, I think that it's quite clear that Redmark did not act all by himself."
He approaches the nearby window and stares at it as he picks up a quill from nearby.
"The reports by various people, heroes and villains, have always been on my mind. Grandpa. Mr. Norwood. Moritz. Even Redmark's own claims did not escape my grasp."- He says- "From the few things that I was able to estimate in this unholy mess, I think that I can say one thing without a doubt- the mighty being that we are hunting for is not above the ground. And it has an army that consists of thousands of units. We are not dealing with a simple raiding team, everyone. We've angered a nation of the unknown."
Aaron raises his eyebrow.
"Does this mean that the Vahnatai are not as docile as we had expected?"- He asks- "Should we pay them a little... visit?"
Geralt turns around and shakes his head.
"For all we know, the raids were likely not caused by their own members. I spoke with Ghall-Ihrno about this matter. He is just as clueless as we are."- He says- "To think that there is a nation more powerful than they are is ridiculous, but still entirely plausible. We must be willing to make interpretations if we are to save the world again."
Kiara smirks.
"Easy for you to say."- She says- "You're always here on your desk, while we're out there, hunting the strangers like goblins in the lowlands. And, trust me, they're just as annoying as the little pests are."
Aaron shakes his head.
"Don't be so harsh, love."- He says to her- "Just because Geralt isn't quite what he used to be doesn't mean that he isn't a hero at all. He's the brain of our team, the gears that set our plan into motion. Without him to direct us, we're surely going to be doomed."
Aurelia smiles.
"Well, I'm glad that someone appreciates my husband's hard work."
Geralt sighs.
"This is not the right time for us to argue with each other."- He says- "Different as our views may be, our goal is still the same. We fight for the good of this world. We guard the gift that our ancestors left behind for us. Even though we do not always agree with each other, we're still one and the same."
He looks at his sister.
"I understand that you're still angry about Kai's departure. I feel the same way."- He says- "But trying to dig into the past will simply make you a liability in the eyes of the future itself. So, do me a favor and stop complaining, Kiki. The matter is much more serious than you think. We can't stay separated for long."
Kiara nods.
"And that's why I want you to join us. Understand what it feels like to lose people that you're meant to guard with your life. Try to stay beside the people that you've loved for so long."- She says- "Even though you're one of the greatest heroes of this world, you still have a lot to learn. You can't deny it."
Geralt looks down.
"You think that I know nothing about the struggles of our people? You think that I ignore their cries for help and refuse to feel like them?"- He asks- "No, sister. You are wrong. Even though I may look like a noble on the outside, I am not heartless and apathetic. Deep inside, I'm just as affected by the turmoil as they are. I'm one of the first people who despairs for the people that we lost. I am the one who cries himself to sleep, unable to protect everyone under my care. Do you really think that I stand here, clueless of the outside world? Well, if you really do, then you're as much of a fool as the protesters who promised a better rule for the Empire five years ago."
Kiara is shocked by her brother's claims.
"Don't compare me to those imbeciles!"- She yells- "I'm not like them! At all!"
Then, she storms out of the room, overcome by her own emotions.
"Kiki."- Geralt mutters and looks down- "I am sorry... "
Aaron shakes his head.
"I guess that she still hasn't changed."- He says- "Event like those are meant to stay in the past. Still, if you're not willing to take a hint, then there's still a lot that you must learn yourself."
Geralt sighs.
"I just wish she could have a calm mind, like she did when we were young."- He says- "Why was life so cruel to her?"
Aaron looks down.
"Maybe it's all of the monsters that she's seen. Or Kaiden's departure. All of those things can affect the human mind with ease."- He says- "As a lawcarver, I can say that I've always felt like this. Many people have been condemned by my words. Others have been saved from certain humiliation. Even when I must judge the must notorious criminals, I still feel a tiny bit of remorse. And I always feel like I am the one who's being sentenced, not them."
Geralt nods.
"Your job is not easy. At all."- He says- "Judging the world's criminals is a lot of work. Only the worthiest keepers of the law are able to act while under constant pressure, from the inside and outside. And you're much more of a hero than you seem to be."
Aaron sighs.
"I just wish people could appreciate Kiara like they do with me."- He says- "In the past few years, she's always acted like an outcast. She pretended to care about the people around her, but her heart has always been astray. She doesn't trust almost anyone, and people don't trust her. And I don't want it to be that way. I want her to be loved by family members and strangers alike. It's not fair that smaller heroes get all the love and she does not."
Geralt nods.
"And I will make sure that people see her as more than just a dirty, mercurial adventuress."- He says- "My sister is not like those suspicious, untrustworthy types. I won't allow the people to treat her like one."
Aurelia raises her eyebrow.
"Umm, you do realize that I was once in love with an adventurer myself, right?"
Geralt looks at her.
"You were?"
Aurelia nods.
"Yup. And his name was Peregrin Blacksteed."- She says- "He was a charming, gorgeous man. He had a heart of gold and a sword of steel. When I was still a slave under the wing of Mrs. Keymoira, he often came to visit me. At times, he told me how we could escape together into the great unknown. And yet, as the forces of Brigantia discovered and attacked him, he ran away, more fearful of losing his own life than losing mine. Typical vigilante. Making promises he wouldn't keep was not a good move toward a fair woman, but it was his thing. When he disappeared, I never saw him again. Did he live or die, you might ask? Well, it doesn't matter. He betrayed the trust of a woman who loved him, just to save his own skin. A man like him's far more inferior when compared to you."
Geralt raises his eyebrow.
"So, you think that I am... better than him?"- He asks- "But this is Peregrin Blacksteed! Legendary adventurer! Even now, tales are being told of his good deeds!"
Aurelia shakes his head.
"And yet, they'll never warm me like the tales of you."- She says- "You're much better than that show-off. Period."
Geralt leans forward and hugs his wife.
"I'll never be like him."
Aurelia smiles and hugs him back.
"I know."
As Aaron stares at them, Geralt looks up. He clearly has something on his mind and is willing to share it.
"I hope that you're prepared, my friend."- He says to him- "Soon, we are going to go on a trip. To the underworld."
Aaron raises his eyebrow.
"When you say that, you don't mean, umm... you know."- He says- "Right?"
Geralt shakes his head.
"Unless our journey to the underworld becomes a suicide mission, we'll be safe to make our move."- He says- "Now, are you with me?"
Aaron sighs.
"I'd like to say yes, but I'm still very busy."- He says- "A band of Redmark's traitors were recently turned in. Even without their leader, they're still causing trouble."
Geralt shakes his head.
"We came to an agreement years ago. And now, they're trying to tear our treaty apart."- He says- "What a bunch of fools."
Aaron nods.
"Anyway, I have to go to the judgement halls and evaluate the situation. Their case is quite a knotty one and the officials in this city refuse to deal with them until I get involved myself."- He says- "So, I bid you farewell for now, Geralt. I hope that you and the others find what you're looking for."
Geralt nods back.
"I wish you the same thing, Aaron."- He says- "May the light of justice illuminate your noble heart."
As Aaron prepares to leave, he turns around.
"One more thing. Our daughter, Sophia, is still talking about how she wishes to move in with you and Aurelia."- He says- "We kept trying to discourage her, but she's been insisting to be a Kaos. Poor thing. I don't know what to do with her."
Geralt raises his eyebrow.
"She still keeps on wanting to join us, even though I refused to take her in?"- He asks- "Why does she want to do so, anyway?"
Aaron sighs.
"We're not quite sure. Maybe it's because she feels all alone when we're absent, which is very often. Or perhaps she likes you more than she likes us. It could also be a delicate balance between both of those things."- He says- "Either way, Sophia's not willing to give up. Me and Kiara had no choice but to sign the papers ourselves. So, could you do me a favor and do the same?"
Geralt looks at him.
"And strip you of your only child?"- He asks- "No. I do not think so."
Aurelia gently grabs Geralt's arm and looks at him.
"Come on, Geralt! It's not fair!"- She says- "The little girl loves us so much! She wants to be a part of her family's roots! Why don't we give her a chance?"
Aaron nods.
"For once, I think that I completely agree with Aurelia."- He says- "Our daughter needs you, Geralt. We might be her parents, but you're surely going to be a better guardian angel than we are. If she's willing to love you more than us, then it means that it's true love. My advice for you? Don't break her little heart. It's not worth it."
Geralt sighs.
"Alright. I will take her in."- He says- "But I'm only doing it so you and Kiki are happy and can continue working on your good deeds. Remember it."
Aaron smiles.
"Then you're just as good as the people claim that you are."- He says- "Of course, I already knew that. We've been working together for far too long."
Then, he approaches Geralt and shakes his head.
"It's an honor for us, partner."
Geralt smiles back.
"The honor is mine, my friend."- He says- "After all that you have gone through, you deserve no less."
Aaron nods.
"We'll be seeing you soon."- He says- "Stay safe, Geralt."
Having said that, he calmly emerges from the office, leaving Geralt and Aurelia alone.
Geralt approaches the large bed in the room, his sactuary in this land of mystery. He lies on it and Aurelia joins him not long after. The two of them stare at each other lovingly, showing that their love was, indeed, at first sight.
As the couple lies down in the safe confines of their own bed, Aurelia remembers something that's been on her mind for many years. Up until now, she's been deciding to keep quiet about it. However, the recent events and Sophia's love for the two of them brought it up again. She needs to know the answer.
"Honey."- She says- "I want to talk to you. About something."
Geralt looks up.
"She's quite serious, but she is blushing a lot."- He says to himself- "Oh, Auri. What is on your mind?"
Aurelia stares at her husband for a few seconds. Thoughts swirl inside of her mind as she continues to choose her answer. Finally, her eyes widen as she prepares to respond.
"I want to take our relationship to the next level!"
Geralt is surprised by his wife's response.
"Umm, sure."- He says- "But why? What made you think that?"
Aurelia shakes her head.
"Remember what we promised your mama? That this family won't remain without a heir?"- She asks- "Well, we've been waiting for way too long! I want to make it happen!"
Geralt sighs.
"We have Will. And Quinn, I guess."- He says- "Aren't they enough for you?"
Aurelia looks down.
"It's true. I love little Willy more than the world itself. And little Quinn's still dear to me, even though he doesn't really love us back."- She says- "Even so, they're not our children. Kaiden and Isa made them, and they left them in our care. Sure, we've been taking care of them, but it's not the same as loving the child that you made yourself."
Geralt sighs.
"I kept saying that when we were younger. I do not like repeating myself, but I will still do it."- He says- "We already have many children on our minds. I don't want us to make more and condemn them, just Kai and Isa did so thoughtlessly. Bringing a child into this world is not an easy thing and I refuse to do so myself."
Aurelia looks at him.
"But our family would be so much better!"- She exclaims- "Imagine all of our children running around! Their invigorating laughter! I know you want them as much as I do!"
Geralt shakes his head.
"No, dearest. My decision is final."- He says- "I do not want to hurt your gentle heart, but I do not want any children. I am sorry."
As Aurelia tries to respond, the couple hears a knock on the nearby door.
"Yes?"- Geralt says- "Who is it?"
The door opens. Two beautiful children peek through it and stare at the couple. They are William and Quinn- Kaiden and Isabella's twin sons, as well as Geralt and Aurelia's nephews. Even from this distance, one can tell the subtle difference between both of them. William is a cheerful, smart and confident young man with raven black hair, while Quinn is a distant and secluded boy with dark blonde hair, locked within his own world. Both of them look at their uncle, as if expecting the answer to a very important question.
"Hi uncle!"- William says- "Do you mind if we come in?"
Aurelia stares at them and sighs.
"Well."- She says to herself- "So much for my proposition."
Geralt ignores his wife's inner ramblings. He smiles as he looks at William and Quinn.
"Of course you can, boys!"- He says- "We do not mind!"
William grins.
"Yay!"- He exclaims- "We can spend time with uncle and auntie again!"
Quinn rolls his eyes.
"Sure thing, bro."- He says- "Whatever you say."
As William and Quinn enter the office, Aurelia has a brief flashback. She sees them in Isabella's arms, not long after they were born. Then, she sees herself and Geralt a few years later, holding the arms of the children as they walk off into the sunset. And, once she's back into the Present, she sees the spirit of her sister looking down at her, unable to believe that she has been betrayed so horribly. Her apathetic attitude vanishes as soon as it came, replaced with sympathy for the little boys in her care.
"What am I doing?!"- She says to herself- "Isa had faith that me and Geralt would take care of her sons after she died. I made a promise to keep them safe and happy. What I see before me's not the face of the woman who risked everything for her loved ones. I have no right to act like this!"
Having said that, she stands up and leans toward the children.
"We're so glad to see you, little diamonds."- She says- "Don't be afraid. Me and your uncle are right here."
William gladly jumps into his beloved aunt's arms. However, Quinn is not quite as enthusiastic as him. Or rather, at all. Eventually, the two children lie in their aunt's arms as they finally talk to them.
"Well. It seems like you enjoy their company as much as I do."- Geralt says- "That's really good to know, my love."
Aurelia smiles.
"They're my nephews as much as they're yours."- She says- "Of course I wouldn't betray their trust."
William raises his eyebrow.
"Umm."- He says- "What?"
Geralt shakes his head.
"Nevermind what we just said."- He says- "How did your day go, dear boys?"
Quinn sighs.
"Boring. Just like all others."- He says- "I'm trying to focus on my studies, but it's just too hard. I don't have a purpose. I can just sit there, pretending that I do. It's hard to be like that, but at least it drags me away from our monotonous world for a few hours."
Geralt nods.
"Well, maybe it is because you're studying at home. We were forced to drag you here a few years ago due to your unfortunate condition, so you must be feeling lonely."- He says- "I hate to say it, but it's for your best. Boring or not, this is the life we are all forced to endure. In different ways, sure, but it is not something that we can simply avoid. Maybe someday, you'll be able to go out there and meet new people. But until then, you must hone your skills. The world needs a strong and capable survivor, not one who is constantly a prisoner of his own guilt."
Quinn says nothing in response, worrying both of his caretakers a little bit.
"Anyway, I'm sure that you're doing well."- Geralt is quick to add- "What are your favorite subjects so far?"
Quinn sighs.
"Astrology and biology. They've been my favorites since Day 1."- He says- "Recently, I've been quite invested in learning about the life beyond our little world. You know, the aliens and such. I've been wondering whether they exist or not, so I've been hard at work. Maybe I can find the answer to that mystery as I grow up. Until then, however, I remain clueless. Just like all of those who came before me."
Aurelia looks at Geralt and grins.
"He's very smart!"- She exclaims- "I think that he'll become a great scientist in the future!"
Geralt nods.
"I hope so, too."- He says- "A brilliant future like that should not be wasted away in apathy and ignorance."
He looks at Quinn.
"And yet, I strongly believe that you are right, my boy. We are not the only sentient beings in this universe. I've helt onto this belief ever since I was a child."- He says- "The Slithzerikai. The Nephilim. And, especially, mysterious and powerful races like the reclusive Vahnatai. They are the genuine proof of higher forms of intelligence that inhabit our world. And they also point out to the life that is beyond our recognition. This is what's truly interesting about astrology."
Aurelia smiles.
"Well, I can finally see who taught our little nephew how to be so smart."- She says- "You're a truly intelligent man, my love."
Quinn sighs.
"I really hope that you're right, uncle. The races that live below the ground are jut as intriguing to study about as the life in the cosmos. I would love to learn about both of them."- He says and stands up- "Now, please excuse me. I've gotta get back to my studies. There's a big test tomorrow and I have to be ready for it."
Geralt smiles and nods.
"Then go right ahead."- He says- "We wish you the best of luck. You will succeed, we are sure of it."
Quinn manages to smile at them. A little bit. Then, he bids them farewell and leaves his brother William alone with his uncle and aunt.
"What about you, sugar bunny?"- Aurelia asks him- "How do your studies go?"
William smiles.
"Well, I am a pretty good student! Many A grades and, rarely, B! But that's not what I'm truly worried about right now!"- He says- "I spoke with the trainer that you assigned for me, uncle. He's quite a nice guy, but he's a little bit distant. It almost feels as if... he's the victim of an awful past. As if he's trying to hide something... "
Aurelia's eyes fill with tears. She leans forward and hugs him.
"Oh, honey. You're such a loving and caring little boy."- She says- "If only all kids could be like you!"
Geralt nods.
"I think that your brother can learn a thing or two when it comes to understanding others. From you, I mean."- He says- "It is truly wonderful that you're willing to care about other people. This is what makes our little family so special to the outside world. We're always willing to help people who are in trouble, are unable to emerge from the massive abyss inside of their lives, or are simply having a bad day. If you wish to help yourself, then you must first help others. And do not just help them with your sword and bright heart. Help them with kindness, as well. People want to see that they're being appreciated as much as we do, so you're definitely on the right path."
As William tried to comprehend what his uncle just said to him, Aurelia looks at him.
"We all have our roles in the world, dear."- She says- "Firefighters. Policemen. And, most importantly, heroes. We're the gears that turn this world, but we're not just limited to that. Me and your uncle's roles in your lives might be vastly different, but we share one important similarity. We truly care about you. We help you get established in our world's society, your uncle by helping you endure the horrors of this world, and me- by keeping you well-fed."
William raises his eyebrow.
"Is this why you're feeling upset when Quinn doesn't eat your meals?"
Aurelia sighs.
"Yes."- She mutters- "It is."
Geralt smiles.
"Anyway, we have been hearing good things about your studies!"- He exclaims- "Your master taught you how to cast your first spell! Can you show it to us?"
William looks up and grins.
"Sure thing, uncle!"
Having said that, he extends his arm, closes his eyes and mutters a few words, incomprehensible to anyone but William himself. Moments later, a tiny white flame appears in the palm of his hand!
Geralt and Aurelia are, understandably, amazed by their nephew's expertise. It is very clear that William is a talented student and that he will become a legend. Someday.
"Incredible!"- Aurelia says to herself, astonished by William's skill- "He's just like Isa... "
Geralt stands up and claps his hands, clearly impressed by his nephew's performance.
"What a wonderful show of dazzling lights, my boy! You've clearly learned a lot!"- He exclaims- "When I was your age, I was only able to dream of having such incredible powers. With each passing generation, our family gets more and more impressive. And you should be proud of that as much as I am!"
William grins.
"I'm only learning from the best of the best!"- He exclaims, staring at his uncle to prove the point.
Aurelia looks at her husband and smiles.
"Well, I can tell that Willy's well on his way toward becoming a legendary hero!"- She exclaims, tears falling from her eyes as she watches the tiny flame in her nephew's hand- "I've never felt so proud before! Bravo, little angel! That was astounding!"
William watches as the flame in the palm of his hand fades away. Then, he bows his head, a sign of respect for his elders.
"I'll never forget what you taught me."- He says- "Thank you, uncle and auntie. You're the best!"
Geralt smiles.
"No, little Will. You are the best!"- He exclaims- "Now, is there anything else that you wish to tell us?"
William looks down.
"There is."- He replies- "But I'm not sure if I should tell you."
Aurelia looks at him.
"If there's something you want us to know, please speak up."- She says to him- "We're only here to help you."
Geralt looks at his wife.
"Auri, I don't think that it is wise to push him to the limit."- He says- "You know how much he has already been through... "
Aurelia sighs.
"We've never hidden any secrets from each other."- She says- "There's no reason to teach our nephews to do otherwise."
Geralt shakes his head.
"I don't like this. At all."- He says- "Still, if you wish to know, be my guest. I won't stop you."
Aurelia nods and looks at William. He sighs and decides to share his problems with them.
"While I was at school, I met that stupid group of bullies again. They tried to take my lunch and make fun of me. It was really humiliating."- He says- "Fortunately, my classmates saw this and stirred them away from me. They stood no chance against a larger group of dedicated students. But their presence is still bothering me. Why would someone pick on a person who hasn't done anything bad to them? Is it because I'm different? Because I'm smarter or have better grades? It doesn't matter. I don't want to feel this way. It's awful."
Aurelia stares at her nephew, sympathetic with his current situation. Geralt sighs, stands up and approaches his desk.
"The attitude of those foolish children is becoming very unacceptable."- He says, then grabs a quill to prove his point- "I assure you, this case will not remain unsolved. I'll have a word with the principal soon. Their parents will not be spared from the details, either. I will make sure that those bullies behave."
Aurelia looks at him.
"Come on, love. It's not worth getting involved."- She says to him- "I mean, they're just a bunch of children."
Geralt looks back at her.
"They might be children, but they are very close to becoming horrible adults."- He responds- "Those bullies dare to make our nephew miserable. I must take an action against them. Not just for him, but also for the other children's well-being. Standing in the dark will solve nothing."
He shakes his head.
"Bullies managed to tear my life apart when I was around Will's age."- He adds- "I will not allow history to repeat itself."
Aurelia raises her eyebrow.
"But what if they start to hate you?"- She asks- "You don't want that on your head, do you?"
Geralt sighs and looks back at the desk.
"It is a risk that I'm willing to take."- He responds- "Some people hate you for doing the right thing. Other praise you for being so heroic. Actions like those are the ones that show the true colors within a person's heart. And I am willing to unleash them, if it means that my nephew will stay safe and happy at school."
Aurelia sighs, as well.
"I guess that you're right, honey."- She says- "Sorry about that."
Geralt smiles.
"You have done nothing wrong, my love."- He says- "There is no reason to ask for forgiveness."
Having said that, he looks at his nephew, who is no longer confused by his uncle's words. They serve as a source of motivation within his young mind and he is willing to use this knowledge to teach the despicable bullies a thing or two.
"Anyway, I am sure that you still have a lot of activities to perform today."- He says- "Isn't "Sword Mastery 101" supposed to start at 1 PM?"
William gasps.
"Oh! That's right!"- He says and stands up- "My teacher's going to be mad at me! I've got to go!"
He hugs his uncle and aunt one last time, tells them that he really loves them, grabs his bag and runs downstairs.
"Energetic, playful, intelligent and heroic. Those are the words that best describe little Willy."- Aurelia says and smiles- "I hope that life treats him well from now on."
Geralt sighs.
"Believe me, I would want nothing else for him."- He says- "The things that he has gone through are horrible. Be it the loss of his mother or the constant teasing of the bullies, he's always been under pressure. He has rarely experienced any peaceful moments in his life."
He looks at his wife.
"I hope that we can be the solace that he has craved for so long."
Aurelia smiles.
"We will, love."- She says and kisses him- "I know it."
As the two of them stand on the bed, the door opens again. They expect the twins to enter again, but are surprised to see that it is Aaron.
"Excuse me for intruding again, Geralt."- He says- "However, there's a matter that you need to settle."
Geralt stands up and raises his eyebrow.
"Of course, my friend."- He says- "How can I help you?"
Aaron looks at the nearby window and shakes his head.
"It's about Redmark's people. You know, the ones that our warriors captured earlier."- He says- "It turns out that the situation is worse than I had anticipated. Even though many of them turned out to be truly evil, there are some that haven't exhibited the same symptoms of madness."
He looks at him.
"I might be a lawcarver, but I can't do this alone."- He says- "I need your help, Geralt. Again."
Geralt nods and takes a step forward.
"Lead the way, my friend."- He says- "I will deal with those troublemakers. I promise."
Aaron smiles.
"Thank you."
As the two men prepare to leave, Aurelia approaches them.
"Umm! I know that it's very urgent!"- She exclaims- "But... can I tag along? I don't want to sit alone in here!"
Geralt and Aaron stare at each other for a few seconds. Then, Aaron shrugs.
"Sure."- He responds- "We could definitely use the help of a talented healer such as yourself."
Aurelia grins.
"Then count me in!"- She exclaims- "Let's make the heads roll!"
Geralt sighs.
"Or save them."- He adds- "That depends on what happens next."
Having said that, the two of them head toward the judgement hall, trying to reach it as soon as possible.
As soon as they step through the massive gates, they end up in the middle of a giant mess. Members of the city's loyalist group have captured a large group of imperial traitors. It is clear that they belong to old Emperor Redmark's regiment. They cannot deny it, even if they could. They stand in front of the statue of the goddess Temis, seemingly tall and proud. However, just a tiny glimpse of them is able to reveal how afraid most of them are of the inevitable judgement that is about to rain upon them.
"So, those are the warriors who have been stirring trouble into our lands?"- Geralt says- "I would like to hear the report and the collected evidence, if there are any."
Aaron nods.
"Those warriors are part of Redmark's regiment. Or rather, what is left of it. They've been refusing to let go of their old master's ways and live their lives normally, so they made the hard decision to invoke the wrath of the world's heroes once again."- He says- "There are trails of blood behind their weary feet. Dozens of orphaned children, crying for their unjustly slain parents. Unfortunate people, broken by their thirst for vengeance. Many of them are seasoned, bloodthirsty killers, looking for redemption. Others seem to be new recruits, freshly dispatched from their hometowns."
He stares at the traitors and sighs.
"I was going to deal with them myself. Certain death awaits those who break the vows that they made years ago."- He adds- "However, I saw the faces of some warriors. The sadness within their eyes. Their guilt for murdering innocent people. That's when I realized something- not everyone in this group joined willingly. Some of them seem to be forced to face a horrible fate. So, I'm not sure how I should deal with them. I'm torn between keeping the law and showing mercy. That's why I needed your help."
One of Redmark's warriors, possibly their leader, glares at Aaron.
"You're a weakling, Your Honor."- He says to him- "How could someone like you be the one who decides our fate?"
Angered by the vile man's words, Aurelia approaches him. The two of them glare at each other for a few seconds. Then, she raises her hands and slaps him with all of her might. Like a massive tree struck by a powerful thunderbolt, he falls to the ground. Aurelia watches silently as he pathetically tries to pull himself up.
"Says the one who still believes in a fallen ignoramus!"- She yells at him- "You have no right to judge other people when you're the one who's being judged! Now stand back before I do something worse!"
Instead of being scared, the quiet warriors of Redmark are now outright terrified. Aurelia's attitude has planted a seed of total fear inside of their hearts. Even the prouder units are not spared from the aftermath of the fair maiden's deed.
"Anyway, there is no other way. A true hero must deal with this problem, not a humble lawcarver like myself."- Aaron says and turns to Geralt- "The choice is all yours, my friend. Will you let them live or force them to experience the worst nightmare in their lives? The choice is yours."
Geralt takes a step forward and inspects the imperial prisoners. A feeling of pure anger washes over him as he watches them stare back at him. He was the one who killed Emperor Redmark and they are the ones who took his big brother and uncle away from him.
"For a second, I want to pretend that they are just a bunch of wild animals. Acting without any thought or remorse was a plausible concept for them. They have always been this way, especially under Redmark's rule ten years ago."- He says to himself- "And yet, here I am, completely aware that this is not the case. Those imperial fools are human beings, not beings that belong to the wilderness. They deserve to live in this world as much as we do, even though they always intend to harm it."
He sighs.
"Taking away human lives has been easy for me in the past few years. Focusing the Chi inside of my mind has helped me endure those gruesome moments. Forgetting about them has been another question, though."- He adds- "Every day, I think about the people that I was forced to slay. I saw the eyes of the most unwilling ones. Many of them were just mercenaries. Swords for hire. Slaves of a greater being, with no exhibits of wisdom or self-control. It is almost as if their minds were wiped clean, with the sole purpose of killing those who dare to tarnish the reputation of their master and receiving their rewards. I was feeling pity for them, so I decided to simply stay in our family's residence and not get directly involved with the horrors outside. Kiki was wrong to blame me for not doing anything. She has never seen what I experienced when I was a teenager and will never experience it herself. But I do not blame her. Those dark times are taking quite a toll on us and it's hard to think straight when the entire world is on your mind... "
He looks at the imperials one more time and shakes his head.
"But this is not the time to reminisce the past a decision must be made."- He finishes- "Will I be able to spare any of those troubled souls?"
Then, he looks back at Aaron.
"Excuse me, my friend."- He says- "Could I take a moment to stare at them for a while? I need to look into their eyes to tell whether they are guilty or not."
Aaron nods.
"Be my guest."
The guards move the imperials forward. Geralt attempts to stare at them, but most of them simply close their eyes, either out of fear or simple resilience and foolishness. However, the guards that are holding them soon grab their faces and force their eyes open, allowing Geralt to finish his job.
"No. This is not right."- He says to them- "Let their eyes go. God will decide which ones are worthy of our mercy."
The guards nod and allow the imperials to keep their own eyelids intact. Although some of them still close their eyes, most of them leave them open, likely as a sign of respect for the noble hero. 
As Geralt stares at the multitudes of eyes that are directed toward him, he sees a flurry of emotions. Complete fear. Tarnished hopes. Barely controlled anger. Terror at the brink of desperation. The feelings that he is seeing in front of him are like a rainbow. An invisible rainbow that can only be seen by the trained human eye.
After deciding what must be done for a few minutes, he approaches the first half of imperials, the ones that seem to be more scared of him. He stares at them, his crystal white eyes judging them as he evaluates their capabilities. Enemies or not, they seem to be mostly docile to him. So, the decision that will decide their fates arrives not long after.
"You must be new recruits in Redmark's army."- He says to them- "Tell me more about yourselves."
One of them steps up, possibly their leader (or maybe just the bravest of the pitiful group). And yet, even he cannot help but feel fear when he faces the legendary Geralt Kaos. He shifts from foot to foot and his eyes roll around as he attempts to form comprehensible sentences. It is clear that the man is quite afraid and regretful, but he takes great pains not to show it.
"Greetings, mighty hero. We k-know that you had a lot of bad blood with the emperor, but we never did. We never wanted any of this to happen."- He says- "The reason why we're here is because we got caught into a bad situation. Forced to pay off our own debts by enforcing the dark law and drawing the blood of people Redmark's people deemed unworthy. But we never truly wanted to hurt any of them! We swear!"
The rest of Redmark's warriors smirk, clearly amused by the traitors' pitiful attempts to clear their own names in front of Geralt and his allies.
"Something bad is happening inside of your regiment. That, I can tell with ease."- He says- "Tell me something, imperial. Is there something else behind the heinous crimes that you were forced to be a part of? Or are you just saying that we met you on a bad day?"
The man shakes his head.
"We used to be little, docile orphans. We never had the chance to see our real families. Everytime something went wrong, we stuck together. We've always been like a family."- He says- "But our quiet times ended when we were forced to fight for those pretenders. A hundred coin reward for each of us, and we were drafted into their numbers. We were like slaves in the face of their emperor. Their pseudo god. Their foolish founded. We never believed in that madman, I assure you. And yet, that didn't stop them from forcibly dragging us into that mess."
The man from earlier glares at him and grabs him by the neck.
"Liar! Non-believer!"- He yells- "When our holy emperor comes back to life, you'll be one of the first to feel his absolute wrath!"
Even though Geralt has managed to keep his calm composure intact until now, the fact that Redmark's people are attempting to condemn unwilling souls and forcing them to become slaves to a fallen tyrant is way too much for him. Hearing the warriors of Redmark- the same people that he agreed to let go many years go- still worship their foolish master makes him draw the line. As the vile imperial holds his former ally by the neck, Geralt approaches him, grabs his head and violently slams it against the wall three times, shocking his allies and severely disorienting their leader.
"Your fiendish, pathetic imitation of an emperor was nothing! Do you want to know what he really was?! A tainted cog in the system! A demon given human form! A complete moron, blessed with sentience by mistake! He was nothing more than that!"- He yells at him- "I have dealt with many fools in my years as a hero, but filth like you can never be cleansed, nor corrected! Now, shut that big mouth of yours before I am forced to shut it myself forever!"
The man is clearly shaken by Geralt's insults. Taunting the warriors themselves is one thing, but damaging their core of existence is a much more grievous blow. They want to draw their weapons, but they know that they will be slain easily, so they simply decide to withdraw and stay quiet.
Now that Geralt has settled this matter, he approaches the man from before and helps him stand up.
"I evaluated your situation while I dealt with your so-called allies. I can see that you are being completely honest with me, even though we are not on the same side of the conflict."- He says- "Forcing other people to work for the a mighty leader's side like slaves is something that I've always hated. Redmark's people have always been like thorns in the verdant grasslands, but I never imagined that this situation could get much worse than it already was."
He waves them away.
"So, what are you waiting for?"- He exclaims- "Go out there and live your lives, just like you always have! This is not the end of you, so go ahead and use it to your advantage! You are free to go!"
The innocent warriors look at Geralt, their eyes filled with hope.
"Really?"- The man says- "Y-you mean it?!"
Geralt smiles and nods.
"Of course! I would never kill people who do not deserve it!"- He says- "So, I deem you worthy of our mercy, You shall be spared."
Just as the innocents stand up, Geralt approaches the statue of the goddess Themis. He stares at it for a few seconds, then gently pulls out the sword in her hand. The mighty weapon easily slips into the worthy hero's arms, ready for use.
As Geralt approaches them and raises the bronze sword in the air, the imperials think that he is about to harm them. They close their eyes, but open them as soon as the sword touches both of their speaker's shoulders. Soon, Geralt moves to each one of them, gently touching their shoulders with the divine blade.
"You are the pure souls of the world, stripped of your pride. Envoys of innocence, devoid of hopes and dreams. You have been living in the shadows for as you can remember, but you have just stepped into the light!"- He says- "May the blessings of Themis rain down upon you!"
Having been blessed with a second chance, the warriors kneel to the young hero, as a sign of total respect. The rest of the imperials roll their eyes, unable to believe that this is truly happening.
"Oh, thank you so much, mighty Geralt Kaos! When we arrived in the judgement halls, we thought that our lives are over!"- The man exclaims- "We will never forget your kindness! Bless your souls!"
Geralt smiles.
"I hope that your humble souls are blessed too, brave warriors."- He says to them- "Fight for the side of justice and the god of mercy will always smile down upon you."
The man nods and salutes him.
"We will!"- He exclaims- "And it's all thanks to you, sir!"
Escorted by some of the guards, half of the imperial soldiers leave the judgement halls alive, their lives beginning anew as the rest of their former comrades are forced to face Geralt's absolute wrath.
"As for you, children of the lost sovereign, I have not forgotten what you did. You destroyed numerous innocent settlements. Killed many good people. Crushed many bright dreams."- He says to them- "Whatever punishment I decide for you, it will not be enough. But I will still make it happen, in the hopes of convincing the rest of your foolish kind that Emperor Redmark is not the only one who possesses incredible will and dedication."
He looks at the guards and points at the outer section of the halls.
"Take those traitors to the pillars!"- He exclaims- "Burn them in the same way that I burned Redmark ten years ago!"
The guards smile, nod and take the shocked, condemned prisoners away. Soon, they will face the same fate as their master, hopeless and deceived. There is nothing that could change their fate. Not anymore.
The leader of the rogues turns around and glares at Geralt, absolute hatred burning inside of his pitch black eyes.
"Don't think that it's over, Kaos! You haven't escaped the holy master's judgement!"- He yells- "Soon, you'll get what you deserve!"
Geralt shakes his head.
"Considering that your emperor is dead and that I am still here, I find your claim very unlikely."- He says- "But please, keep on dreaming. Maybe it will help you stay awake at night. Or cause you nightmares. Whatever it may be, I assure you that you will never forget."
His message to Redmark's people revealed, he stares as the last of his warriors disappear through the massive gateway to oblivion, never to return.
Soon, the judgement halls are completely empty. No imperials have been left behind. Geralt promised to get a Herculean job done himself. And he did not lie. 
"You did what I was unable to do myself. You managed to disperse proper judgement to those unclean souls, teaching them a valuable lesson in the process."- Aaron says- "Thank you, my friend. You're a legend."
Geralt smiles.
"Well, I could not have done it without the help of everyone else in the room."- He says- "We worked together to make the Known Lands a little bit safer. We dealt with the fading embers of a falling empire. Whatever happens from now on, I am sure that it will be for the best."
Aurelia leans close to Geralt and hugs him.
"And that's why I always love you so much."- She says- "You're always the type of person who's willing to use his own mind to solve problems, be they big or small. You're not just a smooth talker or a skilled fighter. No, you're much better than that."
Aaron nods.
"I completely agree with Aurelia."- He says- "Even though you're not quite what you used to be during Redmark's reign, you're still the hero of our world. You'll always be respected, my friend."
Geralt sighs.
"I am glad that somebody remembers what I truly used to be."
Aaron smiles.
"I've never forgotten about the dauntless paragon who saved my life so many times."
Geralt nods.
"And I never forgot about those who were willing to set aside their own ideals and fight alongside me."- He responds- "They are the ones who are truly worthy to me."
Aaron looks back at the gates and sighs.
"Anyway. As much as I hate to say it, we have a job on our minds."- He says- "Sophia's madness has gone too far. She ran away from our home. We found her hiding in the Kaos residence and took her back."
Geralt looks at him.
"It sounds like you are really worried about something."- He says- "Did Sophie want something else?"
Aaron sighs again.
"A settlement process. Mutual agreement between her parents and the people who she wants to live with."- He says- "As much as we didn't want to, me and Kiara decided to sign those papers. Now, it's up to you whether Sophia can stay with you or not."
Geralt raises his eyebrow.
"Why did you do such a thing?"- He asks- "You know that you could have refused, right?"
Aaron looks down.
"I don't want my daughter to feel miserable and neglected."- He responds- "I want to see her happy and loved, even if she's not in our care."
Aurelia shakes his head.
"We can't do it!"- She exclaims- "She's your daughter! Not ours!"
Aaron shakes his head.
"As I said before, the choice is yours."- He says- "But Sophia's heart is already broken. I beg you, don't shatter it into millions of pieces."
Geralt sighs.
"We will decide what to do when we get there."- He says- "Lead the way, my friend."
Aurelia sighs.
"As you wish, love."
It does not take long for the three of them to reach the settlement center. Sophia and Kiara are already waiting there, anxious about the decision that Geralt and Aurelia are about to make.
"Uncle!"- Sophia exclaims and leaps to her feet- "You're here!"
As Sophia runs forward and hugs Geralt, he stands motionless for a few seconds. However, his instincts soon kick in, making him remember where he is. He bends down, hugs his niece and kisses her on the forehead.
"Hello, little princess!"- He exclaims- "It has been so long since I last saw you!"
He takes a good look at Sophia, then smiles.
"My goodness!"- He exclaims again- "You are even more beautiful than I remember!"
Aurelia rolls her eyes. Kiara and Aaron smile.
"I'm glad that you still like our little lady, Geralt."- Kiara says- "But can we cut to the chase already? We've been waiting for way too long!"
Geralt rises to his feet.
"Of course."- He says- "I am sorry that I kept you waiting."
As Geralt approaches the settlement agent alongside Sophia, he sees him and nods.
"You must be the uncle of Sophia Dawson."- He says- "I can see the similarity. She really looks like you."
Geralt smiles and shakes his head.
"Do not flatter me, sir."- He says- "I am just her uncle. Not her parent."
He looks back at Kiara.
"She is my dear sister's most treasured child. And, truth be told, her only one."- He says- "The decision to strip her away from living family members has been hard for me. And yet, I had to arrive, to honor my niece's decision and make sense of the mess that she willingly got herself into."
The agent nods.
"So you confirm that this was not your idea?"
Geralt shakes his head.
"Sophie did it all on her own accord."- He says- "All this time, I have been advising her to stay with her parents. But she was not willing to listen to reason."
The agent nods.
"A child with a mind of its own? Most intriguing."- He says- "Perhaps the decision to integrate her into a more capable family member's society wasn't a bad one."
Kiara leans forward.
"Hey! Mind your words!"- She yells- "We've been taking good care of our daughter! She can never complain about bad parenting!"
The agent shakes his head.
"And yet, she informed us of how you have been neglecting her for many years."- He says to her- "A very unwise move, Mrs. Dawson."
Geralt looks at his sister and places his hand on her shoulder.
"It's okay, Kiki."- He says- "I will make things right again. I promise."
Kiara shakes her head.
"Do whatever you want, little bro."- She says- "I just want my little girl to live a good life."
The agent looks at Geralt, then at Sophia.
"The settlement process is almost done. We have received the consent of both parents, as well as all caretakers appointed to her by them."- He says- "All that remains is your own consent, Geralt Kaos. Your word shall bear the most importance. It carries the heaviest burden, so choose wisely."
Geralt nods.
"Of course, sir."- He says- "I would never dare to harm the feelings of my family."
Geralt and Aurelia are given the settlement papers. Sophia's parents have already stated that they agree, and the papers show their final decision. They grab two pens and think about the consequences of having Kiara's child inside of their household for a while.
Sure, Sophia is a wild soul. She can be quite unpredictable. She's capable of making a grown person cry. However, deep inside, she is a very virtuous and helpful young soul. She never dares to harm anyone who does not deserve it and always cleans her dishes after eating. The decision whether to send the girl away or keep her is quite hard for our heroes, but it does not take them long to reveal their answer.
After signing the papers, they hand them back to the settlement agent. He inspects them, surprised to see that the answers of both members of the couple are different.
"Impressive."- He says- "Both of you have different answers."
Aurelia looks at Geralt.
"Wait."- She says- "You didn't refuse?"
Geralt shakes his head.
"I would never dare to break my niece's heart."- He responds- "If you do not like her, just stay out of the way when I am with her. It is best for both of us."
Aurelia sighs.
"If it makes the girl a little bit happier, then I wish to change my answer to a Yes."- She says- "I agree to welcome her in our household, no matter how unfair it may be."
The agent nods.
"Splendid."- He says- "Then I hereby change the surname of the girl to Sophia Kaos. She is now under your care."
Geralt raises his eyebrow.
"Wait a minute."- He says- "She wants to be a Kaos?"
Kiara sighs.
"That's what we had to agree to."- She says- "When she wanted to live with you, she also wanted to change her surname to the one which I had. She wanted to be a Kaos. And you just allowed her to be one of you."
Geralt smiles and takes his niece's hands in his.
"Congratulations, then!"- He exclaims- "Welcome to the family, little Sophie!"
Sophia is ecstatic about staying with her uncle and aunt. She eagerly leans forward and hugs Geralt, smiling as she does so.
"Thank you, uncle!"- She exclaims- "You're the best!"
Geralt smiles.
"And so are you, sweety."
As the family stands up, they are joined by a sixth person. When they turn around, they see Jett Norwood, their ever-faithful ally and esteemed member of the new Norwood family.
"Hey there, Geralt."- He says to the young hero- "Am I... interrupting anything?"
Geralt shakes his head.
"Not at all."- He says- "We are already done."
Jett smiles.
"That's good."- He says- "Because we've still got a lot of work to do. The invasion of the mysterious alien beings, remember?"
Geralt gasps.
"Right! I almost forgot the most important one!"- He exclaims- "Forgive me for being so ignorant, my friend. What do we need to do now?"
Jett pulls out a large map from his pocket and inspects it.
"According to our tracker's best calculations, the beasts are hidden below the ground. Even lower than the Vahnatai themselves."- He says- "If we are to find them, then we must direct the grand portal's energy toward those unknown lands and see if we can emerge alive."
Geralt raises his eyebrow.
"And there is no other way to make it happen?"
Jett shakes his head.
"Not at all."
Geralt nods.
"Very well."- He says- "Then let us get moving. Now."
Jett raises his eyebrow.
"Now?"- He asks- "Isn't now way too soon?"
Geralt shakes his head.
"Nothing is too soon when you need to save the world."- He says- "Now, shall we get going?"
Kiara takes a step forward.
"Where do you think you're going without me?"- She asks- "If you're going to put yourself in danger again, then I must stand by your side. It's what we promised each other many years ago."
Geralt nods.
"As you wish, Kiki."
Aurelia stands by Geralt's side.
"Aliens or not, I'll never abandon you, my love!"- She exclaims- "We're going in there together, like it or not!"
Geralt smiles.
"I will not refuse your help, Auri."- He says- "You are a very helpful person."
Jett nods.
"Then the matter's settled."- He says- "Let's get going."
Geralt turns around and nods.
"Indeed."- He says- "Let us begin our new journey."
The preparations for the grand quest are easier said than done. With four people about to embark on the next mission of their lives, it becomes quite obvious that they need a lot of crucial items to survive. Food, drinks, even an electric blanket or two. All that is required to survive a journey in the cold and unforgiving lands beyond Avernum is in their hands, but it takes a while for them to gather it.
When they finally meet up at the rendezvous point, they are even more determined that the time when the preparations began. They talk about their plan for a while, deciding that the lands below the Vahnatai are more settled than they had anticipated. The beings that they have to deal with possess incredible magical powers. Or, at least, their leader does. Redmark was one thing to worry about, but what they see before them is far worse. Eventually, they manage to stop the conversation and begin the inevitable, eager to finish what they started ten years ago.
Even though they are prepared, however, the journey becomes extremely hard from the first step into the portal. Once the magical device takes them to their intended destination, they immediately feel a sharp chill in the air. An aura of malevolence washes over them, just like a demon in a place of light. Strange, alien figures silently walk on the hills ahead, making the invasive feeling of darkness even more prominent. Even from their current position, they can easily tell one thing- whatever this may be, they are surely not going to find any friends. Or sanctuaries. Whether the power of salvation will cleanse it or not... is up to them.
"In my years as a hero, I have never seen such a place of evil."- Geralt says- "Even Redmark's badlands pale in comparison to the horrors that we are about to witness."
Aurelia shakes her head.
"As a person of faith, this place disgusts every single cell inside of my body. I want to stay here as much as you do- not at all."- She says- "Still, I'll be a good girl. I won't allow fear to cloud my judgement. I'm sure that everything will get better, sooner or later."
Geralt nods.
"Indeed it will, my love."- He says- "But first, we have to focus on the task at hand. From whatever information I extracted, both from the papers and the alien captives, I can tell that the people that we are about to meet are known as the Neotline- a race that came from outer space and settled deep below the Known Lands. Nobody knows why they arrived in the first place. Is it because they were afraid of something? Because they liked the empty land and wanted to take it for themselves? Or maybe because they simply want to watch our world suffer? Either way, they are far more dangerous that our people can ever imagine. And the only way to stop them is to deal with their leader, no matter if it is in a diplomatic or... violent way. I sincerely hope that it is the former."
Kiara raises her eyebrow.
"What about their leader?"- She asks- "Anything useful?"
Geralt sighs.
"He still as much as of a mystery to me as the rest of his people. A dark cloud in the sky, unable to be pierced by the rays of the sun."- He responds- "If we truly want to know more about this strange individual, then we have no choice but to meet him in person."
Aurelia takes a step back and starts to shiver. A little bit.
"I hate to sound pessimistic, but I don't think that it's a good idea. A creature like him can make us vanish by simply thinking about it."- She says- "Are we sure that there's no other choice? I mean, we can't just throw our lives away like this!"
Geralt shakes his head.
"As much as I would like to say yes, I cannot."- He responds- "Our only choice is to confront this man together. Shoulder to shoulder. Mano a mano. Being afraid of this deceiver is just a temporary state of mind. We should not fear those who are not part of our world."
Jett sighs.
"On the contrary. We should."- He says- "We never know what we can do. Even the slightest mistake can pin us to the wall, just like a bunch of flies in a spider's nest."
Geralt raises his eyebrow.
"Well?"- He asks- "Have you been afraid of someone like that?"
Jett looks down.
"Even though my father was a citizen of the world over and over, he still felt like an alien being to me. Strange. Mysterious. Unforgiving. Sometimes, I imagined that he was just a monster in disguise."- He says- "I stood in fear of the man who brought me into this world, disrespected and betrayed by my own father. I didn't have the strength to end the terror with my own hands. That's why I felt so thankful when you and your brother dealt with him. You took a huge load off my mind. And that's when I finally became free of that curse."
Geralt shakes his head.
"I am sorry that you had to feel this way. Nobody deserves it."- He says- "But the page of your life has already been turned. We have managed to bring peace back to Brigantia and the Norwood family. You and Cynthia got married and have three beautiful children. It is not wise to ponder the events of the past."
Jett sighs.
"Sometimes, I wish I could spend more time with them."- He says- "Cynthia's the most beautiful girl I've ever met. Her presence made my life so much brighter. Even though her element is, you know, Dark. And so is mine. But our relationship has always been strong. A powerful link between two lovers, connected by the memories they made along the way. It makes me very glad that I got to know her better."
Geralt smiles.
"I am glad that you managed to pursue the course of love with her."- He says- "You two are made for each other."
Jett nods.
"And so are you and Aurelia."- He says- "You're just too perfect."
Aurelia hugs Geralt and grins.
"We're doign our best!"
Kiara sighs and shakes her head.
"I sympathize with Jett's situation. However, there are some fears that you should just ignore."- She chimes in- "Dealing with mercurial freaks has always been our job. It doesn't matter whether they're part of our world or not, we've always managed to stand our ground. Or, at least, Geralt did. And he was always excelled at it. So, quit your whining and focus on our mission. You don't want to be a liability in our ranks, do you?"
Jett wisely decides to stay quiet.
"Hmph."- Kiara adds- "I thought so."
Then, she takes a few steps forward.
"We're burning daylight. Or whatever it is that's illuminating this pit."- She says- "Shall we get going already?"
As the four of them start to move forward, Geralt and Aurelia stare at each other. They are clearly concerned about Kiara's well-being and are unsure what to do about her.
"So. What's your sister's problem?"- Aurelia asks- "I know that Jett didn't really agree with you, but it wasn't a good thing to humiliate him like that."
Geralt shakes his head.
"Kiki has been in quite a lot of trouble lately. Ever since Kai disappeared, her heart has always been torn by guilt. The events that we had to face together have really affected her."- He says- "Give her some time. I am sure that she will recover. Or, at the very least, calm down."
Aurelia raises her eyebrow.
"I know that it's not nice to suggest anything right now."- She says- "But I think that you should talk to her. You're the only one who can make sense of her condition."
Geralt sighs.
"It is alright. You're not saying anything wrong."- He says- "Yes, I do have to deal with her. She is becoming a danger to herself with each passing day. Stay here and keep watch with Jett. I will be back soon."
Aurelia nods and kisses him on the cheek.
"I know that you'll break through her ice cold heart."- She says- "Good luck, love."
Geralt nods and approaches his sister. She is still annoyed by Jett's attitude and tries to stay out of the way. However, as soon as she hears her brother's voice, she turns around.
"Hello there, Kiki."- He greets her- "How are you doing?"
Kiara sighs.
"You think that I didn't hear what you said about me?"
Geralt raises his eyebrow.
"What do you mean?"
Kiara looks at her brother.
"You think that I've gone mad, haven't you?"- She asks him- "I can see it in your eyes. You think that your big sis has gone off the rails. Deep inside, you see her as nothing more than an expendable unit. A feather in the wind. A piece of rotten wood in the eternal fire. Is that what I've turned into?"
As Kiara continues to spill nonsense, Aurelia leans close to Jett and shakes her head.
"She's so deranged that she's started speaking in third person."- She whispers to him- "What an unfortunate fate for such a glorious woman."
Jett sighs.
"You're being too harsh on her."- He whispers back- "Give the woman a break. She recently had to part ways with her only child. You can't treat her like this."
Aurelia looks down.
"Fine."- She whispers- "If it means that she'll receive a few moments of peace, I will."
Then, they continue to watch Geralt as he is about to respond to his sister's rants.
"I understand. However, you can't just treat yourself like a puppet."- He says to her- "You may not be perfect, but you are still very precious to me."
Kiara raises her eyebrow.
"Precious like good, little Aurelia?"- She asks and sighs- "Listen, little bro. I know that she means the world to you. I can see that she's far more important than I am. And I can easily see it now. I'm just a fragment of the past. Nothing more."
Geralt shakes his head.
"I am sorry to say this Kiki, but you are being far too ignorant."- He says- "It is true. I have always loved Aurelia. She's been a flower of hope inside of my heart. But you are just as important to me as she is. Perhaps even more. The reason why I brought you back and did not allow you to rest in the Spirit World is because I wanted you to live the life that was stripped away from you. Those fragments of broken dreams were never meant to fly in the skies like they did. No matter if you like it or not, I want you to know that I will always love you more than the world itself. And my thoughts for the person who turned me into a true hero will never change."
Kiara smiles sadly. Then, she leans forward and hugs Geralt.
"We came from the same family. We share an unbreakable bond, stronger than the finest metal. We have the same fate and we never let each other down."- She says- "I love you, little bro. I always have... and I always will."
For a moment, Geralt is able to stare into his sister's eyes as he hugs her back. He sees the same courage, the same vigor that he saw in his big brother many years ago. The silent care for the well-being of others. The same bravado that kept the flame inside of his heart burning for so many years. The indestructible link between two kindred souls. And that is when he finally sees the truth- the Kaos siblings have always been one and the same. No matter if they were separated or together, they have always supported each other. And they never, ever gave up on their dream- to make the world whole again.
"Then that makes two of us, Kiki."- He responds- "We will always be together. I promise."
Kiara nods.
"Yes, Geralt."- She says- "I know."
As the four of them keep walking, they finally stop. After walking for a long time, they have finally reached their destination. A bustling settlement lies ahead of them, looming over them with the promise of a great adventure. Mysterious, alien creatures walk on the streets, unaware of anything else but their own work. Outside, the simpler members of their race laboriously slash the large blades of hay into smaller sizes, while others pluck ripe potatoes from the fertile ground.
There is no doubt about what is happening in front of them. Our heroes have finally managed to reach the biggest settlement of the Neotline- their capital. Their sovereign- the mighty Alric the Unknown- lies in wait for the heroes that would dare to challenge him. Whether they are up for the task or not remains to be seen.
"Well. I hope that everyone still has their courage intact."- Geralt says- "Everything is only going to get harder from here."
Kiara sighs.
"That's what I'm hoping for."- He says- "I crave for a good challenge."
Geralt nods.
"Then let us proceed."- He says- "I am sure that find the answers to our questions, sooner or later."
The arrival of our heroes in the capital of the Neotline does not go unnoticed. As soon as they step inside, they are intercepted by a team of highly skilled alien soldiers. Their skin is gray and their weapons are of unknown origin. Some of them are wicked-looking blades. Others are intimidating laser rifles. From the looks of it, the warriors are capable of doing whatever they want, especially destroying tresspassers like our heroes. 
And yet, they don't make any other moves. They don't attack. They don't attempt to parley with them. All that they do is serve as an indestructible wall, preventing our heroes from proceeding further into the city.
"Why don't we just cut them down?"- Jett whispers to Geralt- "There aren't many of them. Plus, they might be more bark than bite. We can't just stand helpless forever."
Geralt sighs.
"Playing games with their patience is going to be a long shot. We can't just risk their wrath."- He whispers- "I suspect that something important is going to happen soon. Those warriors are here because they do not want us to interrupt it."
Aurelia raises her eyebrow.
"Like world domination?"
Geralt shakes his head.
"Not quite."- He whispers to her- "From what I can see right now, I think that I spy a meeting. A really big one."
The Neotlinean warriors keep pointing their weapons at them. They don't intend to attack anytime soon, but they also don't want to get out of the way. It is a fearsome stalemate with no easy solution. No light in the dark can be seen just yet.
"No enter our lands! Important work! No humans!"- One of them exclaims, in broken English- "Stay back and we no hurt!"
Geralt nods.
"Their grasp of our tongue is quite low, but their message was clear."- He says- "The beings have important work to do and they don't want humans around. So, we could either wait here for a while or go outside until the festivities die down. The choice is ours."
Kiara shakes her head.
"Argh! I can't stand them!"- She exclaims- "We're going inside, whether they like it or not!"
As Kiara reaches for her weapon, Geralt looks back at her and shakes his head.
"I would like to give them a piece of my mind, too. But this is not the right time, nor the right place."- He says to her- "Remember, Kiki. We are surrounded by our enemies. All the forces that we have are just the four of us. We can easily fall victim to the alien technology. So, if you want to survive, do as I say. Don't make any suspicious moves. The aliens can take it seriously and turn us into dust."
Kiara looks at her brother.
"Redmark had a big army, too!"- She exclaims- "Why didn't you hesitate back then?"
Geralt sighs.
"It is true. Redmark's army was alarmingly powerful. Dealing with them was quite a challenge, especially when I was stuck in their HQ."- He says- "However, we are dealing with an entirely fresh problem now. This regiment has a different number of loyalists, as well as different ideals and abilities. Underestimating them like you do can be quite fatal. Not just for you, but for every single person in this group. So, please. Keep your emotions under control, and remember. A silent sword is always more lethal."
Kiara considers responding to her brother. However, she soon hears the arrival of another alien group and forces herself to withdraw and calm down. 
She and the group watch as the warriors blocking their way move to the left and right, making way for a smaller team of creatures. In the middle, they witness an important-looking individual, draped in blood red robes, as expected of someone with his high status. His eyes are bright, but very jugmental. Every time he looks around, he expects someone to make a move against him, even though everyone is completely motionless. It is more than obvious that this is the King of the Neotline- the powerful race that is suspected to be the true enemies of the world and the primary allies of late Emperor Redmark.
An untrusting, wily and calculating individual. Perhaps he could be a worthy adversary.
"Hail to you, brave heroes!"- The regal alien says as he gets down from his horse and approaches them- "To what do I owe the honor of your visit?"
As the appointed speaker of the group, Geralt takes a few steps forward and smiles.
"Well met, king of the underworld dwellers. My name is Geralt Kaos and those are my companions."- He says- "We are... investigators sent by the surface government on a diplomatic mission. We need to take a look at your humble capital and determine whether we can help you out or not. With your permission, of course."
The alien warriors are clearly unconvinced. Geralt is a bad liar, and his attitude shows it. However, their king is unconcerned. He simply takes a few steps back and waves them over, seemingly accepting Geralt's lie.
"Feel free to join us for a while, honored visitors!"- He exclaims- "We're more than happy to have you here!"
As Geralt and his allies step forward, the king barks orders to six of his soldiers. The alien warriors stand between their leader and our heroes, preventing them from doing anything to him as he walks ahead of them.
"First off, it's a show of good manners to present oneself to others."- He says- "My name is Alric. Many know me better by my alias Alric the Unknown. I am the sovereign of our humble race. My people chose me by the way of the mutual vote. We had different ways on our home planet, but we recently inherited the methods of humankind, in the hopes of helping them trust us. Many agreed that I was strong and capable enough to lead them through those dark times. And so, here I am."
Geralt raises his eyebrow.
"Were there any problems while your people were counting the votes?"- He asks- "Or did everything go... smoothly?"
Alric shakes his head.
"Unfortunately, the latter was not our case."- He says- "Just as I was about to be elected, an usurper tried to take the role away from me. He used to be a mentee of mine, a student and loyal ally. However, he got drunk with power and wanted to see what it felt like to be the one on top. And yet, he was the one who remained at the bottom. He got what was coming to him. Now, he sits in the jail of our glorious capital while I reign supreme over our humble people."
Geralt suspects that Alric is trying to bend the truth in his favor. However, he decides that it is not worth trying to pry it out. Not at this moment anyway, As he said before, even the slightest provocation can make the aliens cut them down. So, he wisely decides to nod and agree instead of acting like a fool and endangering his group.
"What about the lands under the surface?"- He asks- "Are they healthy? Do they bear a lot of fruit? Or are you genuinely craving for a piece of land above?"
For a second, Alric's eyes turn red. He is clearly angry about something. However, he soon comes back to his senses and sighs.
"Our farmlands may not be the best, that is true. However, they offer a variety of food for our people."- He says- "As you can see, our people are doing their best to pluck the gems of the earth out of the ground. The edible ones, that is. Then, the artisans take them in and transform them into edible foods that the Neotline use for sustenance. Such are the objects that keep us alive in this dead land."
Aurelia takes a step forward.
"That reminds me. You never told us about your true homeland."- She says- "What does it look like? Is the life within friendly to humans? And, most importantly, why did you leave it behind?"
Alric looks up at the ceiling above his head. Then, he shakes his head.
"Our homeland has always been ravaged by war. Entire generations went by as we struggled to fight over some measly scraps of land."- He says- "My people had enough of taking land that we cannot keep, so we fleed without another word. By the time our enemies invaded our capital, we were gone for good. And then, we found your planet- a beautiful, untainted piece of land. Your race did not welcome us when we arrived, so we made the hard decision to go below the ground and communicate with them though our messengers. I can't say that it worked, but we made a bit of progress by the time when you arrived."
Aurelia raises her eyebrow.
"Do you miss your home?"
Alric looks at her.
"Missing a place that has been haunting us for so long?"- He says and shakes his head- "No. Not really."
Geralt nods.
"Well, we hope to be the catalysts that will make humankind trust you more."- He says- "We know that it must be hard to live out here. Maybe our help can make sure that your people survive in this cold, treacherous land."
Alric sighs.
"You're too kind, heroes."
As Alric move forward, he looks at the ruined sections of the capital and sighs.
"Of course, our stay in this place has not remained uninterrupted for long."- He says- "By the time we had our soldiers on the line, the vahnatai leaders and their warriors discovered our location. They sent some of their scouts to attack, and then expanded their force by allowing some of their strongest warriors to join them. They may not be many, but they're notoriously powerful. The legends about this mysterious race have proven to be quite true."
Jett sighs.
"Just like the legends of invaders from outer space."
Geralt nods.
"The vahnatai have been allies to humankind for many decades."- He says- "Maybe we can convince them to coexist. If there is anyone who can make them listen, it is us."
Alric shakes his head, making himself as dramatic as possible.
"So many of my people died. So many lands were destroyed."- He says- "If you decided to prevent them from acting like they do, you'll be doing us a favor."
The king welcomes our heroes in the keep, presenting the glorious halls as they get past the multitudes of guards that are surrounding them. Dozens of untrusting eyes peer at them from the shadows, watching for all kinds of suspicious activities and ready to strike if their sovereign is in danger.
"This was the first building that our builders made when we first arrived. We had to endure a series of cold nights to make the foundations of this place, and outlaw raids while the suppliers were carrying the materials during the final act."- Alric says- "It's an imposing place that serves as a grim reminder of the good folks that we lost along the way. We still miss them a lot, even though we're too busy to deal with our own demons."
Geralt nods.
"What is your primary mission? Your master plan?"- He asks- "Surely, you have more tasks in mind than just complete survival."
Alric sighs.
"All that we want is to coexist with other nations. To show them that we're not the invaders that they think we are."- He says to him- "We want to help the world build a better future. Our warriors may not be many, but our knowledge of the universe is vast. Our humble race possesses extraordinary amounts of raw power, at the expense of trust and numbers. We hope that we can correct those downsides before they drag us down."
Kiara raises her eyebrow.
"A race with huge amounts of raw power under its command? That is definitely not good news."- She says to herself- "I must watch those aliens closely."
Aurelia looks at Alric, clearly suspicious of his motives.
"If you have so much power, why haven't you dealt with the rogue elements already?"- She asks- "I mean, beings like yourselves are clearly capable of causing pain to those who have wronged you. What kept you away from your true goal?"
Alric looks around and smiles.
"Ahh. It's not as easy as you think, fair human maiden."- He says to her- "My people may have the firepower, but they don't have any of the trust. Without the help of powerful allies, we won't be able to get anywhere in this world, just like you heroes won't be able to keep it safe. Many of the creatures that we met during our diplomatic journeys were like children- reckless and rebelious. It has been hard to find ones who are truly willing to listen."
Geralt nods.
"Friendship is truly a determining factor when it comes to building a society."- He says- "Me and my allies have always relied on each other. And they were not the only ones who helped me out. When the people of this world realized that they aren't alone in the darkness, they managed to wake up. They stood on their feet and began rebuilding the fragments of life that our society lost during Redmark's tyrannical reign. Together, we managed to push through the remnants of the imperial army, keep them tamed like the deranged pack dogs that they are, and restore the sacred order in our troubled world. Most people may have forgotten the origins of our mutual existence, but the heroes of the world have not."
Alric raises his eyebrow.
"And, pray tell, do you know anything about the emperor's condition?"- He asks- "I haven't heard of him in a few months. Is he still out there?"
Geralt realizes that the truth is slowly coming to light. Without even knowing it, Alric has managed to reveal one key detail- whoever was foolhardy enough to aid Redmark and his people in their time of need, they are very close.
"Even though Redmark has been quite rebellious in the past few years, he managed to calm down a lot recently."- He says- "His empire now helps the world rebuild instead of harming it. His rule has managed to put them back in control."
Jett sighs.
"Or rather, we're the ones who made it happen."
Alric nods, though he's certainly unconvinced by Geralt's statement.
"Sure thing, prince. I see how it is."- He says- "I just hope that Redmark is not so... reckless anymore."
As the group walks past more of the alien guards, a lone warrior approaches them. Unlike the Neotline, his skin has a different color. His eyes are constantly filled with vengeance and determination. And, most importantly, he has one of the notorious waveblades strapped to his side.
"Forgive me for interrupting, mighty leader, but I wish to inform you of our progress."- He says to Alric- "The vahnatai kept trying to breach the east gate. We attempted to use diplomacy to send them away, but they were just too reckless. We managed to kill most of them, but a few managed to escape our wrath. A few of them were able to run away and a few more were captured by the boys. The raid is over. We're victorious."
Alric smiles.
"Ah. That's a great relief, Dargor. Well done, both to you and to our army,"- He says and pats him on the shoulder, as if he were some sort of little child- "I knew that you could deal with those invaders. You earned yourself some rest. Please enjoy it."
Dargor nods and takes a look at our heroes. Once he gets a good look at them, his eyes widen. Hatred starts to burn inside of them as he considers what to do. Tension occurs between both sides as they stumble into an uneasy stalemate.
"Is this one of the creatures that they call Vahnatai?"- Aurelia whispers to Geralt- "Why is he talking about his own people in such a cruel and disrespectful way?"
Geralt shakes his head.
"I've heard legends of rogue vahnatai who don't like their own government. They are just like the rebels of our race, but they are much more open about their opinions."- He whispers- "Creatures like this one put the safety of whatever rogue regiment they eventually join first, and their own well-being second. Many of them simply forget about their unwanted origins, but a few of them wish to change the rule within the Unknown Lands. With violence. For better or worse, we are stuck with one of them."
Aurelia sighs.
"I hope that he's not as bad as he seems to be."- She whispers- "But I doubt. Everyone that looked evil has always turned out to be evil."
When the four of them think that Dargor is about to lash out at them, he suddenly calms down. Instead of insulting the heroes, he simply snorts, bows to his master and walks off.
"Wow. Arrogant and aggressive."- Jett whispers- "That's a perfect combination."
Alric turns around and smiles.
"Anyway, the banquet is just next door."- He says to the heroes- "Shall we proceed?"
Geralt nods.
"Of course."- He says- "Lead the way, sir."
Alric takes them to a large hall, meant for large dinners and planning points. The ominous chill in the air indicates that many villains have stepped into this place, some of them leaving their malevolence behind as a result. This is not a place meant for heroes like ours. However, this doesn't stop them from coming in invited.
"This must be the place where it all started."- Geralt says to himself- "Redmark's rise and fall. The first raids of imperial darkness. Alliances between the forces of evil, the same ones who ravaged our lands for so long. All of them were discussed in one place- this one."
He sighs.
"It is quite obvious that this whole situation is a big trap, meant to snare us and keep us out of the way."- He continues- "Still, this is a duty that we absolutely cannot avoid. If we shy away from our task, then what kind of true heroes are we? What will the rest of the world think of us?"
Alric motions for his guests to sit. A sommelier brings four drinks for them as the sovereign stares and smiles.
"It must have been a long journey. Travelling to the capital, I mean."- He says, struggling to keep smiling as he talks- "Drink up, for our safety and for yours."
He raises his glass, as a sign of respect from one nation to another. Then, he watches as his guests do the same.
As the rest of his allies start to drink the wine, Geralt stares at the glass in front of him. He sips a little bit of it, but the taste is bitter and unwelcoming. It does not take long until he senses that there is something wrong with it.
"Umm, excuse me."- He says to Alric- "I don't drink alcohol. I am afraid that I must refuse."
Alric nods.
"Of course. I understand."- He says- "It's the thought that counts, after all."
Geralt nods and lays back. He stares at his allies as they drink the wine and watches the liquid closely. Then, he stares back at his own, and realizes something.
"Whatever trap Alric tried to spring, it must not be present everywhere. None of my companions are getting affected."- He says to himself- "However, there is something really fishy. Something that is quite unusual. If my wine is so bitter, why are drinking it without caring about it?"
And then, he notices a tiny detail at the bottom of the drink. A small amount of pale green sediment is sitting there, unrecognizable by anyone but the finest of agents. Geralt has seen the same color before, so the memories are easily getting back into his mind.
"That's the same substance as the poison of the Goodman family! The one that they used to weaken me and Kai!"- He says to himself- "This means that Alric's hospitality is truly fake. There is no respect for us, only a desire to lure us into a trap."
He looks around.
"Maybe I can find a way out of this."- He adds- "And then, I can call for help, in the hopes that our allies will arrive before my companions are slain."
Then, he stands up from his chair.
"Excuse me, sir."- He says- "I have to go."
Alric raises his eyebrow.
"But you just arrived, prince!"- He exclaims- "Why do you want to leave so early?"
Geralt shakes his head.
"I am not feeling very well."- He says- "I have to use the bathroom."
Alric smiles.
"Of course."- He says- "First door to the right. You can't miss it."
Geralt bows to him.
"Thank you very much."
Having said that, he scampers off, leaving his allies to talk to Alric. This allows him to get past the alien guards around the halls, easily finding a way outside and reaching the point where his allies and Alric met for the first time a few minutes ago.
As soon as he gets close, however, he immediately notices hundreds of archers at the gates. Their bows are clearly aimed at him, as if they were expecting him.
"Well, would you look at that."- He says to himself- "Looks like the old dog is not quite as rusty as he seemed to be."
Then, he hears cacophonic laughter, coming from the keep. He turns around and sees Alric the Unknown and his soldiers, holding his allies hostage.
"Running somewhere, young Kaos?"- Alric says and smiles- "You know that you can't escape your destiny, right?"
Geralt shakes his head.
"I never run away from anything."- He says- "I just wanted to reveal your true colors, tyrant."
Alric laughs.
"Well, you've got me! I've never liked any of you in the first place!"- He exclaims- "Humankind has always been insolent and unpredictable. They've always been enemies of our kind. Ever since we came on this planet, we wanted to change the ways of your nations. To change the leaders. But we knew that we could never make it happen. Not without the generous help of the more... insubordinate members of your human race."
Geralt shakes his head.
"Tyrants like you are like needles in a haystack. You never know when they will jab you or how sharp they will be."- He says- "However, you should remember one thing, Mr. Alric. You might be made of metal, but defiant rocks such as myself can always beat you in your wicked game."
Alric raises his eyebrow.
"Just like you burned my buddy Redmark?"- He asks- "Face it, kid. I am nothing like that foolish daredevil. Unlike him, I have always taken what I wanted. And I want far more than you can imagine."
Geralt nods.
"The world is too small for both of us, Alric."
Alric cackles.
"Yes, prince of Avernum! Yes, it is!"- He exclaims- "That's why you shall face the wrath of the aliens who came to take your home away from you!"
Geralt draws his weapon.
"I am eager to test your power, tyrant of the unknown."- He says- "Do your worst."
Alric smiles.
"And the worst is what I'll do!"
As Geralt prepares to fight, he hears someone clear his throat behind him. When he turns around, he sees the hundred archers that he encountered earlier.
"Ah. I almost forgot about that."- He says and looks at Alric- "So, what is their deal. Are you going to use them to execute me in front of your people?"
Alric laughs.
"Very perceptive, young samaritan! You're a smart one!"- He exclaims- "However, my plan to execute you on the spot was cut short with your arrival. Instead, I am simply going to use them to give you a painful judgement. You're all sinners, after all."
Geralt sighs.
"You may have originated from a kingdom of light. But you have no right to call us sinners, especially in front of those who are responsible for so many sins."- He says- "Unlike your treacherous kind, the world's heroes have been hard at work. We have been paying the communities to fix the damage done by foul villains and worked alongside them. We cleansed the world of the taint that was placed upon it, even though it keeps coming back. We pushed our way through the forces of darkness, even though they were becoming stronger with each passing day. And, unlike you, we never harmed our own kind."
Alric raises his eyebrow.
"But have you ever looked at how much people still mistrust you?"- He asks- "It's true. You might be a hero... to some. But the rest of them, they consider you to be a puppet of a greater power. A soldier with no free will. Isn't that as much of a sin as anything else?"
Geralt shakes his head.
"We all have our own masters, no matter if they exist or not."- He says- "They are the sources of our determination. The sense of duty that never fades away. Everytime they tell us where to go or what horror to take care of, we always make it happen. And they always know better than full-blooded tyrants such as yourself."
He glares at him.
"However, I am still capable of making my own decisions."- He says- "I never warned an army about your threat. I stood against your alien killers with nothing more than the clothes on my back and the allies who stood by my side. Do you want to know why I did it? Why, it is quite simple. Because I value the lives of others... unlike you."
Alric shakes his head.
"Redmark warned me that you would be despicable. I guess that I should've believed him."- He says- "Oh well. It doesn't matter. Once my warriors take care of you, the names of Redmark's slayers shall remain in history. Just like the rest of those petty pseudo heroes."
As Alric's guards prepare to take the captives away, Aurelia turns around and glares at him.
"The only one who is a pseudo... "- She mutters- "... is you, you psychopath!"
Having said her insult, she rips out of her captor's arms, lunges forward and burns Alric's face with her reverse healing magic. The sudden impact is so strong that it leaves the vile sovereign shocked and confused, having previously been unaware of Aurelia's abilities.
Thanks to Aurelia's interference, the rest of the team manages to muster the strength to escape. They kick both soldiers to the ground and stab them in the skulls. It is much harder job, compared to stabbing human warriors, but a job well done nonetheless.
As Geralt's allies run back to him, Alric is taken back by his soldiers. Severly wounded and shocked, he barely has the energy to respond.
"Ugh, fine! Have it your way!"- He exclaims- "But remember my warning! No matter if you survive or not, the council shall be the one who decides your fate!"
Geralt's eyes start to glow white. He points his burning sword at Alric as he runs away.
"Dream on, tyrant!"
He looks back at the archers, completely aware that he and his allies are still in danger.
"However, we still have a lot of work to do. I cannot deny it."- He says to himself- "Keeping my companions alive and bringing the fight back to our enemies will be much more dangerous that I had anticipated. I must stay focused, for the good of every good person in this world."
Suddenly, the archers fire their arrows at Geralt and his allies. However, they aren't just normal projectiles. They are powerful engines of destruction, infused with spiritual energy that is meant to take a life away with ease. Such foul magic is forbidden above the ground, so those warriors have definitely obtained them from the black market.
"Fall back!"- Geralt yells- "Do not let them pierce you!"
Geralt and his allies avoid the magical arrows, like ballerinas on a dancefloor. Their movements are so elegant and precise that the archers cannot hit them at all. This greatly annoys their enemies and makes Alric (who is watching the fight from the highest floor of the keep) very angry.
As they continue to avoid more and more arrows, a group of alien gunners comes out of the keep. Apparently, Alric has grown tired of the heroes' survival and ordered an elite team of killers to deal with them. Violently.
"Here come the heavy units!"- Geralt yells and draws another sword- "On we go!"
Although the riflemen have a little bit of success by holding the heroes back for a while, their luck runs out very quickly. Once the four of them manage to get close enough to them, they're forced to stumble back. Some of them are slain almost immediately. Others are left behind to bleed out. And the few remaining fools... stumble into a giant pit, opened by a recent cavequake. What happens after that will remain in the memories of their allies forever... if they survive, that is.
Just as our heroes manage to travel a safe distance away from the archers, a lone figure watches them from above the keep. Then, he jumps down, throwing all of them back and wounding Kiara in the process.
As our heroes tend to their wounds, literal and metaphorical, they stare at their attacker. It soon becomes clear that he is Dargor- Alric the Unknown's most trusted ally, as well as the commander of the Neotline's forces. His alien eyes are filled with hatred, although it is not fully directed at them. He seems to despite humankind as a whole, not just the young heroes in front of him.
"Nobody avoids the gaze of Dargor- Shadowlord of Neo."- He says- "Your lives have been forfeit from the start, vile humans. But your time has finally come. It doesn't matter if you say your prayers or not. I'll crush them all... just like I'll crush you."
Aurelia raises her eyebrow.
"Wait!"- She exclaims- "Won't you tell us who you are first? We can't fight you before knowing why you're being so-- "
Geralt draws both of his weapons and shakes his head.
"No! No more backstories! No more fragments of a villain's past!"- He yells- "If this freak wants a fight, so be it!"
Having said that, Geralt lunges forward, his heart burning brighter than the sun. However, he soon bumps into an invisible barrier, forced to stand back as Dargor shakes his head.
"I promised Master Alric that I would humiliate you. And I'll never refuse his orders."- He says- "Enjoy your eternal prison, heroes. It won't be long before you leave this world."
Having said that, he motions for the archers to get closer. He watches as they raise their bows and aim them at our heroes.
"You might have been strong when Redmark was still alive. But now, you're just pathetic imitations of what you used to be. Replicas of the world's greatest heroes, kept alive by their unending desire."- He says- "But this ends here. Our kind can never conquer your homelands while you're still around. I would say that I'm sorry, but there's no reason to apologize. I don't need to honor you with pointless speech. You don't deserve it."
Geralt shakes his head.
"Then you are just as much of a fool as everyone else."
Dargor smirks.
"Feel the wrath of the Neotline!"
As the archers behind them start to shoot, unable to break through the barrier, Dargor sighs.
"Hmm."- He says- "I should have considered a better plan."
Geralt takes a step back and looks at his allies.
"Now. I know that this might sound crazy, but I know that we can defeat this one."- He says- "As soon as I yell out the command, focus your energy into the barrier. Push your way through it. Do not stop resisting."
He smiles.
"I promise that this plan will work. There is nothing to worry about."- He says- "Whenever you are ready, give me a sign."
His allies nod and stand in three different positions. They use their magical energies to weaken the invisible walls that keep them trapped, severing the connection between them and the residual energies that keep them intact.
Dargor does not realize what is going on. Until the moment when it is far too late.
"Wait!"- He yells- "What do you think you're doing?!"
Geralt looks up.
"Now!"
Suddenly, our heroes manage to shatter the invisible barrier. Like butter to a hot knife, it stands no chance against the powers of four trained warriors. Dargor decided to reckon with them, on behalf of his master. However, he will soon regret it.
As Geralt lunges forward, the arrows of the Neotline archers fly past the remnants of the barrier, flying toward random places and startling Dargor as he attempts to stop the heroes. Forced to avoid the projectiles of his own allies, the vahnatai warrior dodges them left and right, unaware that Geralt is very close... until he is on top of him.
Geralt manages to trip the rogue vahnatai and stab him in the chest. However, the creature is quick and manages to cast another spell, reinforcing his own skin and preventing it from getting pierced by our hero's weapon.
"Hmm. Very interesting."- He says- "I can see why the villains of this world were wrong to underestimate you. You're very powerful."
Geralt smiles.
"That is only a fraction of my power."- He says to him- "The worst has yet to come."
Dargor nods.
"And it's the same for me."
As the two of them continue to fight, Dargor stands back and casts a powerful spell. A large, dragonlike fiery apparition emerges from the palms of his hands, hitting Geralt square in the chest and sending him back into the horde. He attempts to fight back, but the archers behind his back continue to shoot. Whatever stalemate they once had is now over. All that has been left behind is the desire for battle.
"Ugh!"- He exclaims- "I do not have time for you!"
He looks back and casts a spell himself. Like a flamethrower, he directs a giant jet of white flame toward the unsuspecting creatures. Half of them are easily burned to death, while the rest of them are simply burned. How much damage they withstood depends on how close they were. Which, considering how greedy and foolhardy they were when they approached our heroes, is very close.
Geralt ignores the rest of the archers as they continue to shoot their arrows at him. He leaps to his feet and runs forward. Like a roadrunner that's being chased by a coyote, he pushes his way through the numerous obstacles in his way with incredible strength and extraordinary speed. Then, just as Dargor is about to defend himself again, he lunges forward and slices him twice in the stomach before his skin can become reinforced again. He yells out in pain and stumbles forward, just as the arrows fly foward, and is pierced in the chest by one of them.
"Sorry, sir!"- One of the archers yells- "We didn't mean to do that!"
Dargor stands up and stares at his fresh wounds.
"You fools! How could you be so careless?!"- He yells- "I swear to the gods that you believe in, your incompetence will not remain unseen!"
During Dargor's moment of weakness, Jett runs forward. He clearly has a plan in mind, although it's not completely certain what he is about to do.
"Think fast, mobster!"
As Dargor looks up and readies his weapon, Jett jumps behind him, then kicks him into a pile of chains. The Neotline army's general is immediately stretched, pulled up by an invisible force and severely wounded as he stands in front of the heroes, helpless and motionless like a wounded animal.
"What kind of trickery is this?!"- He yells- "Let me go! Now!"
And then, the dark energy hidden within the chains springs to life. It slowly saps him of his lifeforce, making him yell in pain as the torture device does its job.
"You tortured so many people in the same way!"- Jett yells- "Now, you can finally see how it feels!"
Dargor shakes his head.
"You don't know me! You don't know what I threw away to be here!"- He yells- "Release me before I release you!"
Jett sighs.
"Threats don't work against a heir of Norwood!"- He exclaims- "I've already heard them all!"
He starts to punch him, but soon realizes that his allies have joined him. He stands back, allowing someone else to finish the job.
Still annoyed that her daughter chose her uncle over her parents, Kiara steps forward. She decides to take her rage on one of the people who caused so much pain and suffering to her, deciding that the best type of punishment is the one that comes fast.
"You should have seen the price of evil. You had so many chances to change your life."- She says- "And yet, you still chose the tyrant and his goons. For that, I'll never forgive you!"
Then, she pulls out her sword from the ground in front of her and vengefully attempts to pierce Dargor's head. The evil vahnatai is able to reinforce his skin before she manages to do so, but the young maiden doesn't stop. Even though she has to get past an entire layer of steel-like skin, she still does her best to cut through the mighty warrior's defense. 
Kiara's allies watch as she continues to struggle against this force of nature. Her hands become weak, but her heart remains strong. Sweat pours down from her forehead as she continues to push the blade further...
And then, something breaks. 
But it is not Kiara's weapon, nor her will. It is the thick layer of defense that kept Dargor's skin intact. After applying enough pressure to it, the young warrior's blade managed to find a flaw in the vahnatai's numerous protective layers. Infusing its energy with the one inside of Kiara's soul, it was able to create a small opening. And that was completely enough for Kiara herself to finish the job.
Dargor's final expression is one of a true maniac. Complete terror. Inability to believe that he has been defeated. And, worst of all, a tainted soul, broken into millions of pierces by the light of a person's heart. He stands like that for a few seconds, then falls limp, dropping his dark blade on the ground below as his gray skin starts to burn,
And so, the treacherous vahnatai who dared to betray his own kind, the deceiver of fools and helper of tyrants, has been defeated. His struggle against the light was short, but he will be remembered as a serious threat and remind everyone that not all of the enemies of this world are human.
Kiara stumbles away from the grisly scene, slightly horrified but very determined. She confidently holds the blade in her hand, walking toward her amazed allies without any fear. She was able to take care of a dangerous villain. Instead of simply seeing her as a true warrior, they should be proud of what she just achieved.
"Hmph."- She says- "That villain won't be coming back anytime soon. Or rather, ever."
Geralt takes a step forward. Then, he hugs her.
"Thank you, Kiki."- He says to her- "You were amazing."
As the Kaos siblings continue to hug, they hear laughter coming from above them. They see Alric, staring at them from the keep's highest vantage point.
"Yes! Thank you, Kiara!"- He exclaims- "Thank you for proving yourself to me!"
Kiara glares up at him.
"What do you want, freak?"- She asks him- "Haven't you done enough damage already?"
Alric smiles.
"Far from it, my dear."- He responds- "You see, what you just witnessed is only the beginning. My fine warrior Dargor may be gone, but his legacy will remain. The warriors that he trained will soon swarm you. You won't stand a chance against their combined power."
He looks at the four of them. Horrible thoughts swirl through his mind as he ponders how to punish them further.
"Actually, that won't be enough."- He adds- "My crown demands sacrifice. I must absorb your lifeforce now."
As the four of them attempt to decipher his words, Alric raises his hands in the air. Both his hands and his eyes glow white as his crown starts to shine black.
"The Crown of Eternity is real!"- Geralt yells- "Run for cover, everyone! Do not let it stri-- "
Unfortunately, his warning comes far too late. As soon as the heroes attempt to escape, the invisible tendrils of the crown's magic envelop them. Their bodies start to fade away almost immediately.
"What's going on?!"- Aurelia yells- "Geralt! Help-- "
Soon, the entire area is enveloped in the tainted light. Our heroes are blinded by this mysterious magic, unable to move anywhere.
"Stay strong, everyone!"- Geralt exclaims- "This is just a state of mind! The magic will not hurt you if you're not afraid of it!"
After a few seconds, the blinding light fades away. Geralt and his allies are nowhere to be seen. Alric stares at the ground below and laughs, barely able to believe that he has won the battle. All by himself.
"Hah! This is too good to be true!"- He exclaims- "Redmark's killers, stripped of their life energies like a bunch of marionettes! How pathetic!"
He turns around.
"Now that I possess the souls of four strong warriors, I can finally rebuild my army."- He adds- "Maybe they won't be so useless this time."
As Alric walks away, two people emerge from the darker corners of the keep. It soon becomes clear that they are Geralt and Kiara.
"That freak just stole their souls!"- Kiara whispers- "If he uses that magic again, we're doomed. And he certainly is!"
Geralt shakes his head.
"As I said before, there is nothing to be afraid of."- He says- "Our friends vanished because they had too much fear inside of their hearts. We stayed alive because we have a greater purpose. As much as I miss them right now, we must get the job done."
Kiara sighs.
"Yeah. Right."- She says- "For the greater good."
Geralt nods.
"And even beyond that."
Kiara raises her eyebrow.
"So. What are supposed to do now?"- She asks- "Are we going to warn the others? Get reinforcements?"
Geralt shakes his head.
"There is no time to waste, Kiki. Our allies are in danger."- He says- "If we do not stop Alric now, then we cannot stop him at all. So, we are going into that dark tower. No matter how many guards try to stop us, we'll strike back and show them the power of our family. Alien warriors or not, they will not stand a chance against the combined power of two virtuous souls."
Kiara's eyes widen.
"Are you crazy?!"- She exclaims- "Just the two of us... surrounded by the warriors of darkness? What kind of foolishness is this?!"
Geralt shakes his head.
"It is not foolishness, dear sister. What you see before you... is revelation."- He says- "If we are to finish what we started, we must believe in ourselves."
Kiara looks down.
"Aurelia and Jett did the same thing. But look where it got them!"- She exclaims- "Many heroes tried to bring this freak down. Why are we more special than they were?"
Geralt sighs.
"We are not. Nothing makes us more special than them."- He says- "However, unlike those who came before us, we have faced a powerful villain before. The leader of a mighty empire, no less. A villain like this one is not supposed to scare us."
Kiara cowers in a corner.
"Well, you can count me scared."- She says- "I'm not going."
Geralt approaches her. She expects him to slap her. However, much to her surprise, he gently touches her cheek and strokes it.
"Listen, Kiki. I know that you are scared, but fear is just temporary."- He says- "Imagine if we, indeed, run away. If we ever get back to town alive. Are you going to be proud that you ran when people needed you most? Are you going to live with your own guilt? And, worst of all, what will Sophie think of her brave mother after she learns that you were a coward? Do you really want this?"
Although Kiara was trying to ignore Geralt's words until now, the mention of her beloved daughter scares her. She is one of the few people that she truly cares about. For many years, she has been preparing to teach her how to be a good and helpful person. But her current attitude is simply going to make her angry and mistrustful. And those are two things that a child is not supposed to have.
"I'll do anything for Sophia. And for you, little bro."- She says and stands up- "Let's decrown that emperor once and for all."
As the two of them approach the huge door of the keep, they feel the archers behind them. Soon, they realize that new archers have arrived, making their silent invasion quite difficult.
"Well?"- Kiara says- "What's the plan, wise guy?"
Geralt stares at the statues around the keep. There are many of them, seemingly inanimate but holding incredible magic within themselves. Whoever created them, they must have had an incredible grasp in magical power, as well.
"In order to break free from the spawns of evil, we will need as much help as possible."- He says- "And I know just what we need."
Guarded by Kiara, Geralt approaches each of the statues and touches it with his hand. They break out of their pedestals and bow down to him, ready to fight the evil that is in front of them.
"Warriors of the sacred stone! Chevaliers of old! All this time, you have been neglected. Used as a source of amusement for a greater being. Ignored by society and disrespected by filthy vandals."- He says to them- "Now, you finally have a chance for redemption in your hands. Will you take it?"
The stone warriors, human and otherwise, draw their stone weapons and let out inaudible battle cries. If that is not clear proof of their answer, nothing will ever be.
"Then go! Seal the fates of your owners!"- Geralt yells and raises his sword in the air- "Show them that justice has not forgotten them!"
Like a stampede of angry cattle, the stone warriors charge toward their victims, eager to spill the blood of evil beings. The archers attempt to shoot them down with their arrows, but their stone bodies are too resilient to ever be damaged by such weapons. Geralt and Kiara watch as they cut through the thick like, delivering vicious blows with their stone swords left and right, the cries of their enemies making them even more determined to win the battle.
Our heroes take this chance to slip further into the keep. However, they are immediately intercepted by a group of riflemen. As they attempt to shoot them both own, Geralt manages to awaken more of the statues, allowing them to bind their souls to him without question or thought.
This time, the warriors do not need a command to do what is right. They simply jump down from their pedestals and attack the riflemen, easily telling who they have to take care of. Of course, the alien warriors stand no chance against this sudden enigma. They soon pay the price of their foolishness with their own blood.
In the meantime, Geralt and Kiara move from floor to floor. They awaken more of the inanimate statues, causing the numerous guards to deal with much more than just a simple invasion. Soon, the multitudes of statues that the Neotline foolishly kept inside of their keep overwhelm their forces, destroying whatever legacy Alric the Unknown was talking about.
It takes a while for them to search the entire rooms, but they soon arrive at the final floor. Alric is, understandably, surprised that they made it all the way to the end of the trail. He wants to stand up to greet them, but they are his enemies. He does not want to show any respect.
"You! I thought you were done for!"- He yells- "How did you do it? What kind of trickery did you use to reach me!?"
Geralt smiles.
"Do you want to take a guess?"
One of the stone warriors enters the room and pats his sword in a truly intimidating way. Mystery solved.
"You used ancient magic to awaken my statues?"- He says- "This... shouldn't be possible."
Geralt shakes his head.
"Anything is possible when you have hope and faith on your side."- He says- "Now, about the souls of our friends that you captured... "
As our heroes approach Alric, he grins nervously. At this point, he has clearly gone mad.
"Look. I-I'm sure that we can settle this like real men! With real talk, that is!"- He says- "Don't you want to deal with me, the mighty Alric?"
Geralt shakes his head.
"I am done with diplomacy. I simply want my friends back."- He says- "However, if I cannot have them without a fight, then I must force them out of you."
Geralt and Kiara continue to approach Alric. He stands back in his seat, barely able to control his temper. Until he finally snaps and lets his true colors show. He raises his hand and lets out a single word.
"Guards!"
Suddenly, the spirits of fallen Neotline appear in the room. They walk in front and behind our heroes, surrounding them and cutting off their only way out.
Alric and the council of the Neotline laugh as our heroes struggle with the massive army, unable to fend them off and set their sights on Alric at the same time.
"Don't be mad, children of Kaos! This is just the way or life!"- Alric exclaims- "Sometimes, you're the winner. And sometimes- you turn out to be the loser!"
Geralt glares at him.
"But you have not won just yet."
Alric smiles.
"On the contrary. I have."- He responds- "Look at yourselves, then at my warriors. Do you really think that you can overcome them."
Geralt shakes his head.
"Perhaps we cannot do it. Not alone, at least."- He says and grabs his sister's hand- "However! With the power of faith, anything is possible!"
As the heroes start to chant, Alric raises his eyebrow.
"Wait a minute... No!"- He yells- "You can't do that!"
Geralt smiles.
"On the contrary!"- He yells back- "We can!"
Having said that, he and Kiara call forth the spirits of former heroes. Warriors of light, wronged by their enemies and slain unjustly. They brandish their holy blades as they awaken, glaring at the villains who dare to disrupt the peace again.
"And so, under the weight of your own burden and eternal fire, your reign shall come to an end!"- He yells- "Now charge, my friends! Let us show Alric the Unknown how strong a true army of spirits can be!"
The ghostly warriors waste no time to heed Geralt's call. With a series of demonstrative swings in the air, they let out fierce battle cries, easily striking into hearts of their opponents. And then, they charge, fearless like a pack of lions, as the true battle finally begins.
Spirits on both sides of the conflict continue to fight for whatever they believe is right. Warriors of justice and chaos, set into one battlefield like chess pieces that surround the king and his peons. And there is no way to escape from here. If either side wants to win, then they must fight for their lives... or die trying.
As the spectral blades of fallen heroes (and villains) clang against each other, the statues that Geralt animated earlier join their allies. Soon, the tides of this uncertain battle are turned. Warriors of stone and ectoplasm fight side by side, achieving Geralt's dream for unity between the different creatures of this world. Tears fall from the young hero's eyes as his allies strike the evil spirits down with ease, forming a clear path toward the emperor.
Even though most of the evil warriors have already fallen, the battle rages on at full strength. Both sides refuse to stop fighting, not even for a second or two. Determination fills their veins and each one of them searches for flaws inside of the other. However, the battle is clearly in the favor of the Light. Geralt and Kiara do not have to worry about a potential turnabout.
Alric is astounded to see that his mightiest warriors have fallen victim to the blades of the vengeful ones. He is now completely terrified, his eyes telling the thoughts of a complete maniac. Not that he was very sane to begin with, but this is still saying something.
"Do you see what is happening, Alric? I sure hope that you do."- Geralt says to him- "A true empire's foundations are built on trust, not power, fame or glory. The warriors under your command believe your words only when you are honest, when you are willing to deal with them in a fair way. Without the power of faith, society is bound to stagnate, sooner or later. Cities will burn. Riots will rage on. And then, one mistake could bring it all down. No warning. No salvation."
He approaches the trembling Alric. The councilmembers attempt to stop him, but Kiara draws her blade and forces them to stand back.
"A foul alien being such as yourself was never meant to be a sovereign."- He says- "Powerful as you may be, you always had your flaws. And now, justice rains upon you. Your burdens weigh on your feeble back. The fate of many worlds was decided by you. And now, your fate will be decided by the ones that you swore to destroy."
As Geralt reaches for his crown, he feels a malevolent presence behind him. It is the same feeling that he sensed fourteen years ago, creeping inside of his mind like a swarm of spiders. Unwilling to allow the same mistake to happen again, he pushes Kiara out of the way and strikes forth with his holy blades.
"Nice try, villain!"- He exclaims- "But I will not allow that!"
An unholy scream pierces the air as the spirit that attempted to murder Kiara vanishes into the deepest depths of oblivion, never to return.
"Geralt. You... saved my life. Again."- Kiara says and smiles- "I don't know what to say. Thank you keeping me alive. Maybe I can repay you, somehow?"
Geralt shakes his head.
"The only way you can repay me is by standing by my side."
Kiara nods.
"Consider it done."
The two of them approach the maddened Alric. He claws at his crown, desperate to trigger whatever residual energies have been left behind.
"No! This isn't over!"- He shrieks- "The power of the crown! It will bring me back! My people won't give up, you sinner!"
Geralt shakes his head.
"You speak of the darkness that tried to bring us down. And yet, we managed to conquer it more than once. We are the living proof of beings who are cleansed of sin. Your sins, however, have already consumed your sense of honor! Or rather, whatever was left of it!"- He exclaims- "Now, it is time... to bring this madness to an end!"
Alric attempts to get away, but Kiara does not want to let him go. Instead of letting him try to run like a coward, she uses her energy to chain him in place, preventing him from escaping with the ultimate prize.
"Not so brave when you're stuck in place, are you?!"- Kiara yells- "Come on, little bro! The royal fiend is all yours!"
Geralt nods.
"Here goes something!"
Without thinking twice, he grabs the crown. As Alric attempts to keep it on his head, he starts to pull it with all his might. This is a struggle beyond human comprehension, a battle for the crown that was only heard in myths and legends. And now, Geralt is doing the impossible- stripping the most powerful unholy sovereign of his crown.
"My precious crown! It's mine!"- Alric shrieks- "You can't have it! You won't have it!"
Motivated by Alric's madness, Geralt pulls even harder. Despite the fact that he is not quite strong and muscular, he still manages to put up a huge fight. Even Alric's incredible might is unable to match the young hero's endless determination.
"The reign of eternal shadows is over!"- Geralt yells- "Long live the King of Light!"
And then, the crown is ripped off of Alric's head. The sovereign of the Neotline stares at it, unable to believe that he has utterly failed his mission, whatever it may have been. As he stares at his source of power, shocked, his entire body starts to crumble. Without the power of the Crown of Eternity to give Alric strength, the old being is not able to sustain itself any longer. The results of Geralt's hard work are long and painful.
"No! You haven't won this fight! You never will!"- Alric shrieks as he slowly disintegrates- "The Neotline will triumph over you! Mark... my... words-- "
Just like many villains of old, the megalomanical tyrant turns into ashes, stripped away by the jaws of the underworld that brought him on this world. No matter how powerful or determined he may have been, his reign of madness was put to an end by a group of brave heroes. Or rather, what is left of it. He tried to destroy it, like many villains in the past, but ultimately managed to destroy himself instead. And with the end of him comes the end of the Neotline empire that he valued so much.
Geralt and Kiara turn around and look at the councilors, expecting them to lash out at any moment. However, they soon realize that they are no longer in this world. As soon as their beloved sovereign fell apart, they tilted their leads, drained of whatever energy was sustaining them. In front of their eyes, the mighty beings crumble into dust, joining the ashes of their fallen leader as they land on the ground below. All that is left behind of them are the robes that they wore.
There is no final battle cry. No celebrations. No taunts or begging. No dramatic turnabouts. What our heroes see before them are the remnants of a fallen empire, taken down by their own hands. The blood of an entire nation is on them. It will only be a matter of time before the news of the Neotline's defeat reach the ears of everyone else.
"The battle is over. We have achieved total victory."- Geralt says- "Whatever happens from now on, it will be in our favor."
Kiara sighs.
"But this victory didn't come without a cost."- She says- "I mean, Aurelia and Jett didn't deserve any of it. They were not the best of heroes, but life should've treated them better. Falling victim to an alien sovereign's madness is not a noble way to go."
Geralt shakes his head.
"And we will not allow them to remain gone for long."- He says- "Watch closely. With the power of the Crown, we will be able to bring them all back."
Having said that, Geralt lifts the Crown of Eternity and puts it on his head. Kiara watches, surprised, as he closes his eyes and mutters a few words. The crown starts to glow, just like his eyes, as the palms of his hands focus the energy of the caster into awakening souls from the Spirit Realm.
It does not take long for the young hero to finish the incantation. As soon as he is done, the spirits of Aurelia and Jett float down from the heavens and take human form, understandably surprising both sides.
"Geralt!"- Aurelia exclaims- "Oh, I'm so happy! I was so scared to be in that dark and unwelcoming realm! Please, tell me that we won't have to go back there again!"
Geralt shakes his head.
"We do not have to go anywhere else, my love."- He says and hugs her- "The noble deed is done. Alric the Unknown has fallen."
Kiara grins.
"And it's all our fault!"
Aurelia raises her eyebrow.
"But... what happens now?"- She asks- "Do we have to rebuild again? What if they come back to haunt us? We haven't truly won, have we?"
Geralt and Kiara stare at each other and shake their heads. Staying in the Spirit World, even for a short time, can fracture the mind of a human being. Kiara was lucky to have remained sane while under the pressure of her own guilt, but Aurelia was not able to resist it. The best that they can do is to let them both rest, in the hopes that they will recover from this unholy ordeal.
"Let us just... go back home."- Geralt mutters and hugs his wife again- "We still have a lot of work to do. But not here."
Aurelia sighs.
"Alright."
----Two weeks pass after the defeat of Emperor Alric the Unknown and the fall of the Neotlinean Empire. Society returns to its previous state, rising from the ashes and blooming like a flower. It is almost as if the Neotlinean threat was not enough to break the brave townsfolk down. Their determination is truly admirable and their skill ar rebuilding what was ruined by the ravages of time is even more so.
Geralt and Aurelia sit on the roof of the New Kaos Household. Once again, they are happy and hopeful. The years that they spent together have only managed to make everything better for them, and the last battle strengthened their unbreakable bond even further.
"So, my love."- Geralt says- "How is everyone down on Earth? Are they doing well?"
Aurelia smiles.
"Well, I managed to tuck William and Quinn to sleep. It was quite easy to deal with little Quinny, but Willy refused to give up until he completely exhausted his energy. And Sophia, well, she didn't argue with me, nor try to bargain. She just... drifted off. It was that easy. Amazing children, I tell you. I love them so much."- She says- "Kiara is busy, as always. Even though her daughter lives with us now, she and Aaron constantly pay little visits to keep her happy. She even managed to cook a meal for us!"
Geralt sighs.
"So, business as always."- He says- "That is good to hear."
The couple stares at the starry night ahead of them. Everything that they see feels like a dream come true. Shining, white stars. The bright side of the moon. The distant chirping of the little crickets. Like a painter's wonderful work of art, this canvas of hope brings joy into the hearts of its witnesses.
"Do you remember when we saw it all for the first time?"- Geralt says.
Aurelia smiles.
"Yeah! It was so... dreamy!"- She exclaims- "When we came face to face with the night, I never wanted it to fade away. My dreams had just unfolded in front of me and my hopes were refreshed. Everytime I see it, I feel like a child again. It's just too beautiful."
And then, the two of them witness an unlikely phenomena. Aurora Borealis looms over there, a source of hope and vivid dreams. A rainbow of emotions, shining like a thousand stars, if only for a little while.
"There they are, Auri! The Northern Lights!"- Geralt exclaims- "Come on! Make a wish!"
Aurelia closes her eyes.
"I wish that we could live forever and be a happy family."- She mutters- "I wish that the entire world could bathe in the eternal light."
Suddenly, Aurora Borealis starts to shine. The Crown of Eternity in Geralt's lap does the same thing. When he puts it on, it and the lights become one and the same. 
And then, everything around the two of them starts to shine. The area below them is not spared, either. Soon, the entire town is illuminated by the glorious light, just like Aurelia wanted. And the two of them can feel something new inside of their own hearts. It is almost as if they just stopped growing.
Geralt and Aurelia stare at each other, barely able to believe what just happened to them.
"Another miracle has happened. And now, we are eternal."- Geralt says- "But I am not sure if it was meant for us. Do we truly deserve this incredibly precious gift of light? Or are we simply going to waste it?"
Aurelia smiles.
"A gift like this is never obtained with ease."- She says- "You should be proud of it, my dearest. We're the lucky ones. We can get to see the world as it continues to grow, even if it's centuries ahead. And we'll still be young and energetic, even as time flows by."
Geralt shakes his head.
"But this is unfair."- He says- "I do not want to watch our family wither before our eyes."
Aurelia smiles sadly.
"There's a time when all living beings come to an end. Such is the fate that all mortals have."- She says- "However, we aren't restricted by the laws of life anymore. We can live forever, whether we like it or not. And this is a bigger gift than whatever anyone will bring us. It's a miracle in the eyes of an angel. A phenomena of the world."
Geralt nods.
"Then let us make the best of it."- He says- "I am eager to keep the world safe, even in the centuries ahead of us."
Aurelia sighs.
"But for now, let's enjoy this moment while it lasts."- She says- "We don't want it to fade, do we?"
Geralt nods.
"Yes, my love."- He says- "I do."
Aurelia lies on Geralt's shoulder, happy that she gets to spend a quiet moment with the one whom she loves the most. It is what she has wanted for a very long time. And now, Aurora Borealis is giving her a rare opportunity.
Geralt smiles serenely.
"I love you, Aurelia Moonglow."
Aurelia smiles back.
"I love you too, Geralt Kaos."
The End.