MLTO- The Prologue

This is the Prologue of "Miracula Luxia IV: The Oath".
It was released on 22.09.2022.
== Plot ==
With great power comes great responsibility. And sometimes, this responsibility could be a burden to everyone. If so, it would be hard to emerge once you have sunk deep in the sea of despair.
Such is the case of the young boy known as Geralt Kaos and his family. This is the fate that they chose and it was expected that such a traumatic event would happen, sooner or later,
But why did it have to happen now? Why were they so careless, so ignorant? I guess that no one would ever know. All that is left to be done is to run and keep running... until there is nowhere left to go.
This is the cycle of life. It is eternal, just like them.
== Story ==
As the birds chirp and the sun shines, something unexpected happens. Suddenly, the sky darkens as pitch black clouds shroud the joy and happiness that was always there. Thunder roars in the distance, a clear sign of a new danger.
But what could it be?
For our heroes, it does not matter. They slowly trudge toward their fate, determined to find the path to their glorious destiny... whatever it may be.
And here they are, at the gates of an ominus keep. Its black walls loom over them, as if charred by a magical fire whose roots have been running too deep. A normal person would be scared by the mere sight of this place. But not them. They have been trained during their entire lives for this moment and are ready to battle the evil that resides within.
"Ah. So this must be it."- Geralt says- "Our final destination. The climax of our journey."
Kaiden shakes his head.
"If only we didn't have to go through so much."- He says- "Those people would have survived to see the sun again."
Geralt nods.
"We're not just doing it for ourselves, Kai. We're saving the world in the name of everyone, just like our father once did."- He says- "Now come on! Let us delve within this fortress of chaos! Tally-ho!"
Kaiden raises his eyebrow.
"Uhh."- He says- "Tally... ho?"
Geralt smiles.
"It's an old catchphrase that our fellow heroes have been using in the past."- He says- "It gives them the determination necessary to continue fighting for the good of the world."
Kaiden gasps.
"Ah! I see!"- He exclaims and draws his weapon- "Then let's go in that cursed place! Tally-ho!"
Geralt smiles.
"That's the spirit, my brother!"- He exclaims- "Tally-ho!"
Kaiden rolls his eyes.
"Though we should really chose something better."
Geralt raises his eyebrow.
"Like what?"
Kaiden shrugs.
"I'm not quite sure."- He says- "Something like- for the king! For the land! For the mountains!"
Geralt smiles.
"You know what?"- He says- "This is perfect!"
Satisfied with their mutual decision, the two youths head inside, blades in hand.
The moment they step in, a feeling of dread towers over them, mysterious and ominous. The sound of thunder just outside the doorstep is silenced by the low growls of monsters roaming around the place, searching for ones who fail to fit in.
"It seems like we won't get very far from here. Those beasts can easily catch our scent."- Geralt says- "And then... let's just say that things will not be pretty."
Kaiden nods.
"Then what's the plan?"
Geralt smiles. He heads toward the nearest monster and pounces on its back. Just as it starts to thrash wildly, he plunges his mighty blade into its back, piercing the creature's back and killing it on the spot.
As Kaiden watches, nonplussed, Geralt rips its stomach open and covers himself in its guts.
"Ugh!"- Kaiden exclaims- "No offense, but this is gross!"
Geralt looks at him.
"I know, but this is the only choice in this matter."- He says stoically- "Do you want to live or not?"
Kaiden shrugs.
"Well, so it be."
Deciding that it is not worth trying to rebel against his brother's decision, Kaiden approaches the dead monster and covers himself in its guts as well.
"This should make them think that we are like them."- Geralt says- "The musk will wear off eventually, but it will be strong enough to allow us to reach the throne room."
As they start to move forward, Kaiden shakes his head.
"You know."- He mutters- "I'm never going to get used to this smell, no matter how many times I have to endure it."
Geralt sighs.
"Then you are just like me."- He mutters- "But I'm sure that you heard what our father said- "Sometimes, you must do something awful in order to save someone else". And I think that he definitely meant this. So, steel yourself and get ready. It's all done for the good of this world."
Kaiden sighs.
"I guess that this is my light in the shadows."- He says- "I'll keep it going. Don't worry."
Geralt smiles.
"I know that you will."
Just as they get close to the throne room, one of the monsters smells something weird. It gets closer and soon, its simple mind realizes that this is just a ruse.
Moments later, it roars, getting the attention of the rest of its kind.
"Oh no!"- Kaiden exclaims- "Our disguises are falling apart!"
Geralt stares at the nearby door.
"To the throne room!"- He exclaims- "Now!"
As the two youths run toward their destination, two monsters jump forward and block their ways, their fangs bared at them.
"Oh no, you don't!"
Geralt lunges forward and slices both of the huge beasts in half with nothing more than a single hit from his weapon.
"Wow."- Kaiden says- "Sometimes, I wonder if I'm still your brother."
Geralt raises his eyebrow.
"What do you mean?"
Kaiden shrugs.
"I mean, you've grown so powerful!"- He exclaims- "I could never match your potential!"
Hearing the roars of the monsters behind them, Geralt shakes his head.
"This is not the time to compliment what I have learned so far."- He says- "To the throne room!"
The two of them push the massive gates and open them. Then, just as the beasts get closer, they slam them shut, preventing them from going inside.
"This should hold them off for a while."- Geralt says- "Now, where is that oversized fiend."
Suddenly, they hear a demonic cackle coming from nearby.
"Are you... looking for me?"- Someone says- "How amusing!"
Geralt looks around.
"And who is there?"- He asks- "Speak up!"
Of course, his desire to meet the master of the keep is answered. Not long after, a large demon jumps down from the ceiling and glares at them.
"Hmm. You two brats don't pose a threat to me."- He says and grins, revealing his razor-sharp teeth in an attempt to scare them off- "But I'll still spare the effort. We don't want to waste your potential, do we?"
Geralt glares back at him.
"Look, are you just going to waste our time or are you going to fight?"- He asks him- "We went through miles of dangerous lands to be here and we won't appreciate your ignorant attitude towards us."
The demon grins.
"Ah. A smart one, I see."- He says and sharpens his claws, getting ready for battle- "Very well. But don't you dare regret it."
Geralt and Kaiden draw their weapons.
"You know that we never would."- Kaiden proclaims.
The demon lord raises his hands in the air and begins to mutter a spell. Motes of black energy surround him as his eyes start to glow red.
"Heroes!"- He exclaims- "I hope that you're prepared... to meet your doom!"
Moments later, he launches the spell at them. A beam of black energy is launched in their direction.
"Geralt!"- Kaiden yells- "Now's our chance."
Geralt nods and raises his shield in the air. Using it as a sanctuary from the dangerous spell, he manages to reflect it back at the one who was foolish enough to cast it.
"Curse you!"- The demon roars- "I should've known that you were bad news from the start!"
He reaches for the left pocket of his dark robes. Soon, he pulls out a small, pitch black skull, tossing it in his left and right hand as he looks back at our heroes.
"Let's see how you'll take care of my loyal minions!"
Kaiden raises his eyebrow.
"Minions?"
The demon smiles.
"Oh. You'll see."- He says- "You'll all see it soon."
Then, just as they wonder what they could do to stop him, he plunges his clawed fingers into the black skull. In mere moments, he cracks it and manages to release whatever malevolent magic was hidden within.
"Get ready!"- He roars- "Soon, the rivers shall run red with your heroic blood! Your names shall be forgotten and you shall become like the long line of heroes who came before you- doomed to live in the Afterlife for an entire eternity!"
Geralt shakes his head.
"We are not afraid of you!"
The demon smiles.
"You will be soon."
Suddenly, two large, stone monsters jump down from the nearby statues and stand next to their master. They draw their stone blades, as sharp as the finest steel humankind could discover.
"Gargoyles?!"- Geralt yells- "Have you gone mad?!"
The demon lord laughs.
"We have our ways to deal with intruders like you!"
He points at them,
"There they are, my stone warriors!"- He roars- "Sic them all!"
Suddenly, the large statues spring to life. They leap at the heroes and strike them with incredible speed and precision.
If that is not the worst case scenario for Geralt and Kaiden, the floor around them suddenly opens, revealing the raging lava below.
Nearby, the demon lord laughs.
"I hope that this satisfies your burning passion!"- He roars- "Get it? Burning? Muahaha!"
Geralt rolls his eyes.
"Oh yes. Sure."- He says- "You're a great comedian, fiend."
The demon lord smiles.
"It's good to see you've still got some respect."- He says- "Even though it's far too late now."
Our heroes continue to fight the stone warriors. They valiantly stand their ground against those mindless constructs, but the demon's predictions soon prove to be true. They are taken down in little more than ten minutes.
Backed down into a corner, the two of them stand on the edge of the lava pit, still attempting to ward the gargoyles away from themselves.
"Well? Where's all of your courage and valor now?"- The demon lord says and laughs in their faces- "No matter what you try to do, it shall be futile! Evil always reigns supreme! You cannot stop us!"
As Geralt continues to swing his sword, he shakes his head.
"Nothing is over until the last blow is delivered!"- He exclaims- "Don't count us out just yet!"
The demon lord smiles.
"Ah. You're just like your mama."- He says- "She was always so positive, so cheerful. And yet, tragedy befell so fast. She wasn't strong enough to endure it."
He grins.
"Your family pretends that they're brave and valiant, but you're all the same!"- He exclaims- "No exceptions!"
Hearing the insults that the fiend is launching left and right at his loved ones, Geralt cannot help but feel the rage rising in his mind. His veins run with the rage of heroes long gone and, as he clenches his fist, it all becomes too much to bear.
"What did you just say?!"- He yells- "Do you mind if you repeat it again?!"
The demon smiles.
"You're weak!"- He roars- "I said it and I'll say it again! And again!"
Geralt lets out a fearsome battle cry.
"We are... not... weaklings!"
Suddenly, he unleashes all of his rage upon the unsuspecting gargoyles. In nothing more than some mere moments, they are shattered into large pieces.
Geralt angrily grabs the two black spirits that possessed them. As they attempt to break free, he tightens his grip and crushes their connection to the real world forever, mercilessly sending their screaming souls back into the Afterlife.
As they disappear from existence, he turns to the demon lord and points his gleaming blade toward him.
"You are next!"
The demon lord roars and charges. However, Geralt nimbly pushes him back, sending a huge chunk from a former gargoyle in his direction and hitting him in the skull.
The mighty fiend is thrown near the edge of the lava pit, standing up just in time to see that he is surrounded by the two youths that he tried to murder so passionately.
"You're wasting your time! Killing me won't change anything!"- He tries to reason with them- "My kind shall find you soon! And, when they do, your lives shall be forfeit!"
Geralt shakes his head.
"We are not scared of anything and anyone!"- He says- "Send your worst legions our way! We'll crush them, just like we crushed you!"
The demon snickers.
"Oh, if only you knew."
He raises his clawed hand.
"Shadows of the dark overlords!"- He roars- "Aid me one last time! Help me repel those intruders from my domain!"
Much to our heroes' surprise, twelve gargoyles jump down from the pedestals they were standing on and lunge at them.
Meanwhile, the demon lord tries to escape from the tower before he falls victim to them as well.
Kaiden swings his sword a few times, matching the speed of the creatures' stone blades and parrying them with relative ease.
"Don't let that monster get away!"- He says to Geralt- "We've gone too far to fail now!"
Geralt nods.
"I am counting on you, my brother."
Kaiden smiles.
"And so am I."
As Kaiden turns back to the attacking gargoyles, Geralt pounches on the demon lord, managing to trip him and sending them both near the edge of the lava pit.
"You're a fool, Geralt Kaos! You had the chance to face a noble and valiant demise. And yet, you still try to chase me down."- The demon says- "Why would you do such a thing? Why am I so important to you?"
Geralt clenches his fists.
"You killed so many people out there. Innocent souls who wanted nothing more than to live their lives peacefully."- He says- "Does that remind you of what you truly are or do I need to remind you more?!"
The demon smirks.
"We're demons, son. We don't show mercy to those who don't deserve it."- He says- "And humankind is the guiltiest race of them all!"
Geralt shakes his head.
"The only thing that we are guilty of is to ever allow your kind to roam free in our common home."- He says- "But it does not matter. Tonight, we shall begin the greatest revolution of them all! We shall get rid of you and all of your allies! We shall show you how angry we truly are!"
He raises his shining shield in the air.
"Tonight, we shall bring forth the light again!"
The demon lord is blinded by the light that is reflected in his direction.
"Agh!"- He roars- "It burns!"
Geralt glares at him.
"And it shall burn even further!"- He yells- "Farewell, wicked one!"
And then, he lunges forward. Like a lion that is pouncing at its prey, he strikes his target with the gleaming shield, sending him flying with just a single blow.
As the demon falls into the lava, it launches a wave of obscenities toward Geralt and his family, in a futile attempt to demoralize him. However, such threats are nothing more than mere parlor tricks for the mighty hero. He ignores them and continues to glare as the demon's remaining, clawed hand is finally consumed by the lava, ending his life at long last.
"Well, we did it."- Kaiden says and pats his brother on the shoulder- "We're officially the saviors of the world."
Geralt sighs.
"It's true. We have won this battle."- He says- "But what if he was right? How bad could it be?"
Kaiden shakes his head.
"No matter how bad it is, we'll never give up on our home and our people."- He says- "Demons are invaders of our rightful property. Killing them is only the weakest punishment for their many crimes."
The two of them turn back and smile.
"But first, let's enjoy our reward."
Geralt looks at Kaiden.
"But what about our future?"
Kaiden smiles.
"You mean the incoming timeline?"- He says- "Well, it shall be you and me. Against the world. Just like we've always been before."
A few moments later, a gorgeous princess approaches them. As her emerald green eyes adjust to the light, her blonde hair flows in the wind that comes from the nearby gate, as if forming some sort of a pattern.
"Oh my! Thank you heroes!"- She exclaims- "Were it not for you, I would've been the slave of a hideous beast forever!"
Geralt smiles.
"Do not mention it, miss."- He says- "We were glad to help a person in need."
The princess smiles.
"Well, I think that you deserve a reward for your valiant efforts."- She says- "Is this good enough for you?"
She leans closer and kisses Geralt on the cheek.
"Hmm."- Geralt says and smiles- "This went better than I had anticipated."
And then, the two youths open their eyes. They realize that what they just experienced was nothing more than just a dream, a mirage of a happy moment that their minds thought was an actual reality.
"Woah!"- Geralt exclaims- "That was great!"
Kaiden grins.
"We should do this more often!"
Geralt nods.
"Yeah!"- He says- "I really enjoyed that!"
The two boys are not staying in a shack in the woods next to their home. Everything is quiet, except for the quiet rumbling coming from the nearby river. There are no sources of annoyance- just a place where the siblings could unleash their imagination.
"You know, maybe we should interprete one of daddy's adventures next."- Kaiden says as he approaches a nearby window- "They all sound so exciting!"
Geralt nods.
"Maybe we'll meet baddies like him someday."
Kaiden shrugs.
"Nobody knows."- He says- "Maybe we'll get lucky and meet somethin' big. But what if we don't live to tell the tale?"
Geralt shakes his head.
"There's no way I'll let that happen."- He says- "I got you. You got me. So long as we stay together, we'll be fine."
Kaiden sighs.
"I hope that you're right, little brother."
A few seconds later, the door to the shack opens. A young girl, around Kaiden's age, enters and approaches them.
"There you are, you two!"- She exclaims- "Where have you been?"
Geralt sighs.
"Sorry, Kiki."- He says- "We've been adventuring again."
Kiara raises her eyebrow.
"Oh. So you were off into the clouds again? How predictable."- She says- "It's okay, though. Nobody but me's been getting worried for you just yet."
She smiles.
"But it's probably a good idea to come back, in case aunt gets worried again."
Geralt raises his eyebrow.
"Why does she bother looking for us?"- He asks- "She knows that we are fine out here. No monsters have ever appeared."
Kaiden nods.
"Besides, we're great at coming face to face with danger."
Kiara nods.
"Yes. You're good at slaying the slimes back at home."- She says- "But what would happen if you happen to meet something truly dangerous? Will you still keep your cool, just like you're doing it now?"
Geralt shrugs.
"Only time can tell if we're ready."
Kiara nods.
"Right."- She says- "So. Will you listen to me, for once?"
Geralt and Kaiden stare at each other. Disobeying someone's orders has never been in their dictionary,, but the forest seems to be quite appealing today.
Kaiden nods.
"Alright, Kia. We'll do as you say."- He says- "Just don't make us eat broccoli again, okay?"
Kiara sighs.
"I'd never force you to eat them if you listen to me."- She says- "Alright. On your marks. Set. Go!"
Kaiden and Kiara walk out of the shack. Unbeknownst to them, however, Geralt has decided to stay behind, not daring to notify his siblings of his ensuing absence.
While they travel back to the safe confines of their home, Geralt emerges and heads deeper into the forest around the shack. He takes the wooden sword that he left outside and prepares to meet more imaginary enemies.
"I hate to worry them like this, but I must see the source of that noise from yesterday."- He says to himself- "Who knows? Maybe I'll save the town and become a hero, like daddy used to be."
As he explores the forest, he keeps hearing strange voices. They seem to be coming from the trees, beckoning him to approach and join them in the Afterlife. However, Geralt does not fall for those petty tricks. He might be young, but he is not foolish.
Instead, he focuses on the low moaning coming from nearby, pushing small bushes out of the way and cutting shrubbery that proves to be too big to vault over. Surprisingly, his wooden sword is sharp enough to do the job, so this proves to be an obstacle too unimportant for the young, heroic soul.
Much to his surprise, Geralt is met with a terrifying sight when he arrives at the scene. Apparently, two large goblins have trapped a single soldier. He is managing to hold off against them, but it is clear that they would have gotten him, if he had stayed here without any help for any longer than a day,
Come to think of it, the sounds from yesterday might not have been coming from the usual wildlife.
The wounded soldier notices Geralt a few seconds after he arrives.
"Help... me."
Unfortunately, his weak call attracts the attention of the two goblins. They realize that something is amiss and look around.
"Way to go, Watson."- Geralt says and sighs- "Now all eyes are on me."
The soldier shakes his head.
"Sorry about that!"
Geralt draws his weapon.
"It's fine!"- He exclaims- "I've come to save you!"
The soldier lets out a sigh of relief.
"Oh, thank goodness!"
Suddenly, the two goblins spring into action. They pull out large clubs and attempt to strike Geralt down.
Unsurprisingly, their vicious attacks prove to be too much for Geralt. He is clubbed back into a bush and hits his head in a tree. However, this gives him the chance to analyze his surroundings, taking refuge in the tunnel that was conveniently dug nearby.
Thanks to his superior pathfinding skills, he finds out that it ends just behind the two goblins. He takes this rare opportunity to jump out and climb on one of the creatures. As it tries to shake him off, he takes the club in it hands and, with difficulty, hurls it at the second goblin, striking him in the skull and sending him flying into the same tree where he was thrown.
A pool of blood runs down from the creature's head. Apparently, Geralt's blow struck home and killed it on the spot, allowing him to finish off the last one with whatever strength he's got left in him.
But the battle is still not over yet. Seeing the sight of his dead comrade makes the surviving brute quiver with rage. He roars and shakes his shoulders angrily, managing to throwing the youth to the ground just as he prepares to finish him off.
The creature approaches Geralt just as he attempts to stand up. It raises its club and attempts to smash him to death, but the boy wisely rolls out of the way and it strikes the ground below instead.
Unfortunately for the brute, the ground seemed to be a bit unstable. Hitting it only makes it worse. Soon, a small earthquake causes the ground to open, trapping the giant creature and allowing Geralt to stab it in the head with his wooden sword before it could strike again.
Of course, the soldier watched the entire fight. Even in his helpless and emaciated state, he cannot help but be amazed by the power of this young hero.
"Thank you, umm... "
Geralt smiles.
"Geralt Kaos."- He says and lends him a hand- "Nice to meet you."
The soldier smiles.
"You have the look of a Kaos."- He says as he stands up- "Tell me, kid. How did you happen to be here?"
Geralt sighs.
"I guess that I stayed a little more than I should have."- He says- "But it's fine. I helped an actual person today. I'm glad that I did not run away."
The soldier nods.
"And I'm glad that I've been saved by a youth who isn't as ignorant as the rest of them."- He says- "You're a good one, boy. I respect you."
As he sits on a nearby tree stump, he lifts the visor of his helmet and removes it, revealing the face of a young man, possibly five or six years older than Geralt himself.
"Why are you all the way here, though?"- Geralt asks him- "I thought that only large groups come all the way out here."
The soldier sighs.
"I guess that I... poked my nose into this place way too much."- He says- "I've been hearing strange noises lately. I just... couldn't help but wonder what's hiding from us."
Geralt nods.
"So, you're just like me!"- He exclaims- "I've been hearing them for days!"
The soldier nods.
"I've heard the reports of mysterious warriors stalking our militia."- He says- "Perhaps not all of them are false."
He extends his hand and smiles.
"By the way, I'm Johan."- He says- "It's good to meet you on this wonderful day, Geralt."
Geralt raises his eyebrow. He seems to be suspicious of him, but still shakes his hand.
"Umm."- He says- "Johan? No last name?"
Johan shakes his head.
"Like most of the poor soldiers in our lands, I'm nobody."- He says- "And it's for the best. Many consider me to be a freak. An outcast of some sort. I'm not exactly welcome everywhere."
Geralt shrugs.
"Well, you seem to be a good person."- He says- "I don't know why they would treat you this way, but I trust you."
Johan stands still for a moment. It is as if the gears in his head are turning for a moment, trying to comprehend what Geralt just said to him.
"Kindness. Compassion."- He mutters- "They've all been so foreign to me."
Geralt nods.
"You're safe with me, my friend."- He says- "I won't let anyone do anything to you."
Johan smiles.
"And I won't let anyone corrupt you, boy."- He says- "We're friends now. Just like you care for me, I'll do the same."
Geralt nods.
"Thank you."
Moments later, Johan hears mumbling coming from nearby. Just in time, he manages to pull Geralt away and the two of them watch as a group of well-armed travelers pass through the clearing and inspect the bodies of the two dead goblin brutes. They hold blades in their hands an they seem to speak in a different way. It's still English, but with a different accent, from the sound of it.
"Umm."- He says- "Are they... friendly?"
Johan shakes his head.
"No. This can't be right."- He says- "I should've stayed home. It's too dangerous for me out here."
He turns to Geralt.
"I guess that you deserve to know the truth."- He says- "You might be young, but it would be a sin to hide it from you. And I've sinned for far too long."
Geralt raises his eyebrow.
"What do you mean?"
Johan shakes his head.
"Not too long ago, I used to work with those people. Their group is notoriously known as the Legions of Redmark. I did everything they told me to, from doing regular menial labor to killing actual innocent people, both of them very traumatizing. I admit that, at one point, I even started to enjoy it. And yet, I never got used to it. I always looked for another path, in the hopes of reuniting with the one from whom I was separated a long time ago."- He says- "When I heard that they were about to launch an onslaught in the direction of the settlement where you and your family live, I deserted from their army and arrived, getting enlisted in yours not long after. I tried to warn everyone about the inevitable, but no one dared to listen to me. They assured me that their defenses were powerful enough to repel any attack and that a mere band of scuffed outlaws would pose no threat to them. Quite a lot of pride, if you ask me. But the signs are everywhere. Monsters in the woods. Blood on the roads. And the worst of it are the sounds of preparation. To a normal person, they would sound like regular wildlife. But to people like me? I'm aware of what is going on, but I don't have the strength to launch a counterattack."
He pulls out a sheet of paper and quickly scribbles something on it. Then, he sighs and hands it to Geralt.
"Take that to a person named Nina Fortner. She has blonde hair. Blue eyes. She's really positive and often has a big smile."- He says and pulls down the sleeve on his right arm, revealing a white wristband- "She's also wearing this on her wrist. You'll recognize her immediately."
Geralt stares at him.
"Why are you giving this to me?"- He asks- "What's going on?"
Johan shakes his head.
"There's no time left, Geralt."- He says- "Go through the secret tunnel to the left and it'll take you home."
He pushes a button on the wall, revealing a small passage, wide enough for a child to fit into it.
"I'm sorry. You'll have to do this alone."- Johan apologizes and shakes his head.
Just as the warriors discover the cave, Johan draws his weapon and stands in their way.
"Go!"- He yells- "I'll keep them away from you!"
Geralt stares at him for a few seconds, terrified. Now alone, he squeezes through the tunnel, holding Johan's message in his hands as he runs away.
The group of warriors behind them realizes that he is trying to run away. They try to give chase, but Johan pulls them away.
"Stay away from my friend!"- He yells as he fends them all off on his own.
Geralt soon arrives in his hometown, only to see it burning. He hears the screams of the fleeing townsfolk as he enters, searching for his family in this huge disaster.
Unfortunately, all that he manages to find are a group of hostile warriors. They attempt to apprehend him, but he manages to slip past them, jumping on their backs like stepping stones and angering their leader.
"Come back here, you insolent brat!"- He yells as he attempts to catch him himself.
Due to Geralt's small height, he manages to crawl into small crawlspaces, preventing the man from reaching him. He grabs rocks from the ground and throws them at him, wounding him and preventing him from retailiating.
However, all human beings get exhausted after being forced to face pressure for some time. Since Geralt is just a boy, this happens much faster.
Soon, he is caught by the man. He grabs him by the leg and prevents him from going anywhere else.
"Agh!"- Geralt yells- "Let me go!"
The man shakes his head.
"Nobody gets in here without our authorization."- He says- "Especially petty children like you."
He takes a closer look at him.
"You're a part of the dreaded Kaos family! You have the look of one!"- He exclaims and draws his weapon- "We were sent here to kill every single one of you. I'm not going to let one of your kind get away!"
Just as he swings his sword at him, Geralt leans forward and bites his finger, forcing him to drop it and let him go.
"Argh!"- The man yells- "Why, you little-- "
Suddenly, he is shot in the shoulder with an arrow. Apparently, he was caught in a nearby crossfire as the newest target, suffering a small wound in the process.
He pulls the arrow and looks around, only to realize that Geralt is crawling through a nearby flaming log.
"What are you doing?!"- He yells at his soldiers- "Get him!"
One of the soldiers shakes his head.
"He'll get himself killed soon enough, sir."- He says- "If we don't get him, then the monsters surely will."
The man shakes his head.
"I don't want to bear the knowledge that I've let a Kaos go."- He says- "But I know that there must be more of them out there. And they're more dangerous than this kid would ever be."
He draws his weapon again.
"Most of them are already down, but there's still a lot left.. And they're surely going to seek vengeance for what we've done to them."- He says- "When you find another one of them, show no mercy. I've already done that once already and I hate it."
While the soldiers leave the scene, Geralt stumbles out of the burning log, miraculously unharmed by the raging flames within.
"Johan."- He says- "Why did you have to leave us like this?"
He shakes his head.
"I hope that he makes it out alive."
Suddenly, two giants jump out and attempt to stomp him down. However, the youth manages to leap out of the way before he gets hurt.
Seeing that he is horribly outnumbered here, Geralt decides to leave his bravado aside and try to find a safer place to hide. Unfortunately, it seems like one of the giants managed to step on his foot and he walks slower than usual, allowing the giants to match his speed.
But Geralt's trickery proves to be too much for them. He hides in a small hole as they attempt to strike again and is protected by the durable surface above.
"I... do not want to end up... like this."
Suddenly, a wave of pure rage courses through his mind. He extends his hand and launches a wave of energy, sending the ravaging giants back and knocking them down on their knees, giving him the chance to escape before they stand up.
Pushing his way through all manners of monsters, Geralt yells for his family, in the hopes of finding them before something goes wrong. He searches for them without taking a break, using whatever energy he has to call for them.
Suddenly, he hears a familiar, female voice.
"Geralt? Are you out here?"
Geralt gasps.
"Kiki?!"
Kiara emerges from the nearby bushes. She approaches her brother and hugs him.
"There you are!"- She exclaims- "We thought that they got you!"
Geralt shakes his head.
"Well, I'm still kicking."- He says- "As far as I have seen."
Kiara chuckles.
"Oh, you're always so positive."- She says- "I'm glad that those bad people didn't take it away from you."
Geralt nods.
"Where is Kai?"- He asks her- "Why is he not with you?"
Kiara shakes her head.
"The attack was starting as we headed back to town without you. We tried to hide, but it turns out that we went in different directions."- She says- "To be honest, I haven't seen him ever since."
Geralt shakes his head.
"We need to find them before those bad people do!"- He says and takes a step forward- "Come on, Kiki! Let's be heroes!"
Kiara nods.
"Right."- She says- "Here we go."
The two of them step through the wreckage of the ruined town, avoding militia and enemy combatants like. Since they're only children, nobody pays a lot of attention to them, knowing that they will be able to fend for themselves without their help.
On the road to the nearby gates, Geralt discovers a discarded arrow. Its tip is made of steel instead of simple iron and it seems to be of a higher quality. To Kiara, this seems like little more than a piece of discarded equipment, unworthy of further notice. However, Geralt himself is well-aware of the weapons that the adults in his family are using. He has been searching for signs of their presence in the area ever since he arrived and pleased to see that he and Kiara are not alone in here.
"You know, auntie really likes using bows and other similar weapons."- He says- "Steel arrows are her prefered ammunition and she's really good with it."
Kiara nods.
"Then this means that they're nearby."
Geralt sighs.
"It seems fresh, but we can't be sure."- He says- "Be careful, please."
A few minutes later, they encounter another patrol of imperial soldiers. This time, they seem to be much more hostile.
As they draw their weapons on the children, they run away. However, their archers act quickly and shoot arrows in their direction, attempting to gun them down before they manage to warn anyone.
"There they are!"- The man for before exclaims- "They're not going anywhere this time!"
Kiara turns to her brother.
"Geralt, what's going on?"- She asks- "Who are those people?"
Geralt shakes his head.
"After Johan sent me to get back in here, I was attacked by some of those bad people. I wasn't sure what to do, so I tried to run from them, I guess that I... got lucky to escape with my life."- He says- "But now, my luck is over. We're surrounded by them."
Kiara glares back at the warriors, then back at the gates ahead.
"We still have a fair chance at this."- She says and grabs her brother's hand- "Come on! Let's leave! Aunt and the others will know what to do!"
Geralt and Kiara try to escape as fast as possible, but they don't get very far. As soon as they get out in the open, this gives the archers a chance for a clean shot. Joined by their leader who draws his bow at their enemies, they shower them with arrows, most of them missing their targets by mere milimeters.
Unfortunately, one of the stray arrows strikes Kiara in the arm. She drops Geralt's hand and falls on her knees, 
"Kiki!"- Geralt yells- "No!"
As Geralt stands by his sister's side, a group of rogue mages emerges from a nearby clearing. They aim their staffs at him and prepare to bombard him with a barrage of powerful spells.
"Look out, Geralt!"- Kiara exclaims as she springs back to her feet and shields her brother with her own body.
Suddenly, Kiara is bombarded by a barrage of fireballs, incinerating a large part of her back and gravely wounding her. However, most of the mages are soon killed when a volley of arrows flies toward them, striking a lot of them in the head.
"They've been waiting for this!"- Their leader yells- "We're being stalked! Fall back!"
As the soldiers retreat, Geralt holds Kiara in his hands. His childish mind cannot comprehend how serious this situation really is.
"Kiki."- He says- "Why? Why is this happening to us?"
Kiara shakes his head.
"I don't know. Bad karma, I guess?"- She mutters- "It doesn't matter, though. It's too late."
Geralt raises his eyebrow.
"Too late for what?"
Kiara sighs.
"For me."- She replies- "Too late for me."
As Geralt looks down, Kiara points at her stomach. It turns out one of the fireballs managed to strike her in the chest, worsening her condition even further.
"I'm sorry."- Kiara says and shakes her head.
Geralt's eyes fill with tears.
"I refuse to lose you!"- He yells- "I will not let them take you away!"
Kiara shakes her head.
"I don't want to go either. But nobody could turn back time, no matter how hard they try."- She says- "Forgive me, Geralt. I was hoping that we'd have more time. But that was not to me. I had long expected something like this."
Geralt looks at her.
"Is there any way I could help you out, at the very least?"
Kiara smiles.
"The only way you could help me out is to help yourself out."- She says to him- "Leave this crazy place and keep on living. Someday, I'm sure that you could have your revenge. But not yet. For now, you must focus on keeping our legacy going. It shouldn't fall apart. Not here, not now."
She looks at him.
"Don't let your inner rage consume your sense of humanity."- She says- "You're a good kid, brother. And I... I don't want you to become like those faceless murderers. Everyone has to murder to get something done. Some of them even enjoy it. But you? You should do it only because you have to. Don't become what our enemies want you to be."
Tears fall from Geralt's eyes as he listens to his sister.
"Kiki... "
Kiara smiles and hugs him. Some of her blood is splattered in his clothes as she leans close to him.
"I love you, little brother. Don't you dare think otherwise."- She mutters- "Even though I'll be gone, I'm still out there. One day, I might arrive in your dreams and bless you with the love that was taken away from us. Until then, though, I want you to be strong. No matter who gets in your way, fight back. Show them that the Kaos family shall fight until the end."
Geralt shakes his head.
"I will miss you, Kiki."
Kiara smiles sadly.
"Me too, little brother."- She mutters- "Me too... "
And then, she closes her eyes, passing away peacefully in her beloved brother's arms. 
Moments later, she falls limp, letting go of him. However, Geralt refuses to let go of her, even though she is gone. He holds her in his arms, crying as the rest of the enemy warriors approach him.
"Kiki. It... didn't have to be this way."- He says- "We could have been so happy, all three of us. But I guess that the world would never let us be like this."
He looks down.
"Why is the world so cruel to us?!"
Just as the warriors approach him, a group of militiamen arrives. They strike most of them down and protect the grieving Geralt as his family approaches him.
"Geralt, dear! What happened to you?"- Akira asks him- "It's okay! Talk to me!"
Geralt shakes his head.
"She's gone, auntie."- He says, tears falling from his eyes- "I failed her. I am a horrible brother."
Akira looks down and realizes that he is holding Kiara in his arms. At this point, whatever energy was inside of her has already left her body and her skin has started to turn gray- a sign of eventual reanimation.
"Umm, Geralt?"- She says- "I know that this is truly horrible, but you're in danger."
Geralt looks up,
"Danger?"- He says- "From what?"
Before Akira could respond, Kiara reanimates. Her eyes open wide and she growls at her brother, forcing him to fall down as she tries to bite him.
"Oh no!"- Akira exclaims- "Stand still, dear! I'll take her away from you!"
Using her left arm, Akira grabs her undead niece by the neck and pulls her away, saving her nephew's life but turning Kiara attention on herself.
"Don't make me do this!"- She yells as she aims a small cannon protruding from her arm at her- "You know I don't want to."
The undead girl couldn't care less. She growls, this time louder, and crawls toward her, malicious intent in her lifeless eyes.
Akira blasts the undead Kiara's leg in her cannon. She winces for a bit, but soon continues to crawl, refusing to give up.
"She's very persistent!"- Akira yells- "I'm not sure if I could just subdue her!"
Geralt stares at his undead sister in horror, unable to do anything to stop her.
"Auntie! What is happening?"- He asks Akira- "Why is Kiara so aggressive?"
As Akira shoots at the undead Kiara, she shakes her head.
"I don't know how to say this, dear. It's hard to explain."- She says- "But this is not your sister. Not anymore."
Just as the undead gets close to Akira, a man on a horse appears and strikes her to the ground.
"Good timing, Adam."
Adam shakes his head.
"I came as fast as I could."- He says- "What happened out here?"
Akira looks at the undead Kiara. Tears fall from her eyes.
"I... came too late."- She mutters- "She was gone by the time I found them."
Adam stares at the undead. Soon, he realizes that she is, in fact, his daughter, now turned into some kind of a monster.
"Oh no. This is not possible."- He says- "I promised to protect her, but she... she... "
He notices that his son is nearby. Wounded, but still alive. He approaches him and hugs him.
"You don't need to explain, my boy."- He says as he starts to cry as well- "I know how it feels."
Geralt shakes his head.
"It all happened so suddenly."- He says- "I... I tried my best to keep her alive. But then, she... she turned into this thing."
Adam looks back at his undead daughter and shakes his head.
"One day, I will explain what those creatures are to you."- He says- "But you are too young to understand it just yet. I must keep this knowledge away from you until you are ready."
He raises his gun, attempting to put down Kiara. However, he fails to find the strength to do it and falls on his knees as she approaches him.
"Adam!"- Akira yells- "Be careful!"
Just as the undead girl gets closer to the father and son, a shot rings out from the distance and strikes her square in the head, putting her down on the spot as another group of militiamen arrive to approach them.
Soon, the three of them are joined by Jared. Smoke is still raising from his gun as he puts it back into his belt, revealing who is responsible for the good deed.
"Are you okay, children?"- He says- "I thought that I heard screaming out here!"
Akira shakes her head.
"Thank you for doing what we couldn't, dad."- She says- "Kiara went wild on us. And it... it was too late to do anything else."
Jared raises his eyebrow.
"Kiara?"- He asks- "You mean that... that the girl?"
He looks down and realizes who it is.
"Dear god."- He mutters- "Poor girl."
He looks up.
"What happened to her?"- He asks.
Adam sighs.
"Geralt was with her when she perished."- He says- "He tried to bring her back to us, but her spirit broke too soon."
Geralt cries as he reminisces those horrible events.
"She... tried to save me. We were being attacked by soldiers and she... she stood in their way."- He says- "I guess that... that she wasn't strong enough to withstand it, though. After a while she... fell down."
He looks down and continues to cry.
"I lost her, grandpa!"- He exclaims- "I lost my sister! My sister!"
Jared bends down and shakes his head. He pats his son on the head and watches as a group of hostile warriors gets close to their position.
"It's my fault, grandson."- He says- "I should have come here sooner. But I just... didn't know where to go. Didn't know what to do. It was so chaotic."
Geralt looks up and gasps.
"Those are the ones who killed Kiki!"- He yells- "They've come back for more!"
Everyone gasps.
"What?!"- Akira yells- "They're the ones who did this?!"
She angrily points her cannon at them.
"I won't let you harm us further!"- She yells- "I'll kill you! All of you!"
Their commander shakes his head.
"All Kaos family members must be put out of their misery."- He says- "Including you."
Geralt glares at him.
"We'll make you regret ever messing with us, you bad guy!"
The commander smirks.
"Don't worry, kid."- He says- "You'll join your sister soon enough."
Jared shakes his head.
"Not when we're around here, you monster."- He retorts- "Kiara's legacy shall be kept alive."
The commander shakes his head.
"That girl was pathetic. She didn't even try to fight back when my boys attacked her."- He says- "All she wanted to do was to protect her brother. Such a person isn't allowed to live."
Hearing how this insolent person is mocking his deceased sister fills Geralt with immense rage. He clenches his fists and stands up, his determination stronger than it has ever been.
"Geralt?"- Adam says- "Are you alright, my boy?"
Geralt shakes his head.
"Not while they're still alive."
He lets out a fierce battle cry and charges, cutting through their lines with little more than his wooden blade. Left and right, he strikes them down, surprising both friends and foes in the process. Unable to keep his anger under control anymore, he decides to just unleash it, using the power that was held back on those who are responsible for his sister's untimely demise.
The warriors attempt to defend themselves. Arrows and spells fly in Geralt's direction as he slays the people are responsible for all of his sorrow. But the boy's rage is too strong for him to give. He pushes the arrows back at their senders, striking even more enemies down while bashing the fireballs down and creating large explosions, sending a lot of the incoming warriors flying in the air.
Soon, all of the invaders are defeated, solely by Geralt's hand. He angrily approaches the commander as he tries to run away.
"No. Stay back."- He says- "You can't outplay me. This is not your time to shine."
Geralt shakes his head.
"You've gone too far, interloper."- He says- "I will never forgive you, not in a thousand years from now."
The commander shakes his head.
"You'll never take me alive!"
He tries to run, but is struck in the back by Akira's cannon. Moments later, Jared strikes him in the chest with a beam of light, mortally wounding him.
As the members of the Kaos family surround their enemy, he stares at them, barely believing that he is the one who has been defeated.
"But how? How can this be?"- He asks- "I thought that you were weak! That you wouldn't pose that much of a threat! Why did they lie to us?!"
Despite being small and young, Geralt manages to grab the commander by the neck. He contemplates whether to choke him or not, but decides against it, remembering his sister's last words to him.
"Who sent you here?!"- He screams at him, with pure hatred in his eyes- "Answer us! Now!"
The commander shakes his head.
"I won't tell you."- He says- "I never will."
Jared shakes his head.
"I hate to do this, but we can't let you slide away like this."
Suddenly, he pulls out a second gun from his pocket. With incredible speed and accuracy, he fires two shots to the left and right of the commander, hitting the nearby wall and scaring him.
"What in the world?"- He says- "Why would you do this?"
Jared shakes his head.
"You gave us no choice."- He says- "Now speak up before my grandson does the same. The only difference is that he won't miss."
Terrified, the man finally decides to speak.
"We were sent my Marcus Redmark- newest sovereign of the empire. He has an immense hatred for your family and wanted to eradicate everyone who is a part of it."- He says- "We were to invade the settlement that you're living in and did as we were told. But he won't be happy, since all of you are still alive.'
Jared simply glares at him.
"Is there anything else?"- He says, with the same amount of hatred in his eyes as his grandson.
The commander shakes his head.
"Nope. You pulled it all out of me."- He says- "Now please, could you have mercy for the man who was just doing his jo-- "
Suddenly, he is shot in the head. Blood drips from his fresh wound as he falls on the ground, never to return.
The entire Kaos family (or rather, what is left of it), looks at the source of the blast. They realize that Geralt has taken his grandfather's gun and has decided to gun the villain down before anyone would decide against it. Wise decision, from the looks of it.
"No."- He says stoically as he hands the gun back to his grandfather.
Akira shakes her head.
"Goodness, Geralt."- She mutters- "What did those people do to you? You've become so... cold."
Geralt sighs.
"This is the world that we live in."- He responds- "I can see it now. You either hunt down those who want to hurt your family... or they hunt you down instead."
Adam has no time to see what his son has become. He hears the sounds of approaching invaders and draws his weapon again.
"It sounds like a lot of them are coming our way."- He says- "We are not out of danger just yet."
Akira nods.
"What should we do?"- She asks- "If they get over here, we're doomed."
Adam sighs.
"I guess that there is only one answer."- He says- "You and I both know it, Aki. We cannot let it slide just like that."
Akira raises her eyebrow.
"What do you mean, brother?"- She asks- "What is on your mind?"
Adam looks back at Akira. Tears fall from his eyes as he musters the strength to say whatever he is thinking about.
"Aki, I want you to take Geralt and Kaiden with you. Take care of them as if they were your very own children."- He says- "Mom and dad will help you out. I am sure that all of you could provide them with a better childhood than I ever would."
Akira gasps.
"What are you talking about?!"- She yells- "You can't just stand here and risk your live!"
Jared nods.
"Akira's right, Adam."- He says- "You have so much left to live for. It can't end here and now."
Adam shakes his head.
"It will not. My children shall finish what I started."- He says- "Someday, I might be able to come back. I might be able to see them again. But that time cannot be now. I am not worthy of being their only parental figure in this dark world. Not while I still cannot take care of myself."
Akira raises her eyebrow.
"And you're just going to leave it all on a single roll of fate?"- She asks- "Brother! You know that you're doing something wrong! I refuse to let those children lose both of their parents! They've already been traumatized to the point of madness! Who knows how your demise would affect them?!"
Adam sighs. He looks at Geralt and hugs him.
"Forgive me, my son."- He says to him- "I just... cannot force myself to see those eyes of yours again, especially after failing to save... her."
Geralt looks up.
"Where are you going, dad?"
Adam smiles sadly.
"I am going nowhere."
Adam realizes that the invaders have gotten much closer. He pushes his family back as they approach him, preparing to cast a spell as the first warriors get close.
"Do not worry."- He says- "With or without me, this world shall move on."
As his family is forced to back away from the ensuing battle, he turns to his son and salutes him. The palm of his right hand radiates pure elemental emergy that is unleashed as soon as he casts it on the ground below.
"Always remember who you truly are, my boy."- He says- "Don't let those fools corrupt your pure mind."
He smiles sadly.
"I love you, Geralt."- He says- "And I love you too, sister and dad. I'll never forget you."
Tears fall from Akira's eyes as she looks up at him.
"We'll never forget you either, brother!"- She yells- "Farewell!"
Adam continues to smile as a wildfire surrounds him and the approaching warriors. He is engulfed in the flames not long after, his smile still shining through the raging inferno around him.
"Dad! No!"- Geralt screams- "Not you, too!"
In a futile attempt to save his father, he tries to run toward him. However, he is stopped by his aunt and grandfather before he could get himself hurt.
"I'm sorry, Geralt. It's too late."- Akira says- "We already lost him."
Geralt's eyes fill with tears again. He falls on his knees and screams, his agony turned into sorrow in mere seconds.
"He's still out there! I know it!"- He yells- "He's alive! Please! Let me save him!"
Akira and Jared stare at each other. All of them have lost important people today and it is clear that none of them will ever be the same. 
With deep regret in their hearts, they decide to drag Geralt away from the scene. He tries to run back, but he is locked between his aunt and his grandfather. He is unable to do anything, but watch as the flames drift farther and farther away, soon vanishing from sight.
As the three of them emerge from the burning lands, they are approached by a young, blonde woman. Apparently, she was heading into the settlement but must have gotten lost due to the sudden onslaught of Redmark's warriors.
"Excuse me."- He says- "I'm looking for someone."
Akira nods.
"And what is your name, miss?"
The woman sighs.
"It's Nina Fortner."- She says- "I've been told that my contact would be in the town... somewhere. But it's too chaotic in there. I can't find them."
Geralt looks up.
"Are you looking for... me?"
Nina raises her eyebrow.
"You're Geralt Kaos?"- She asks- "I thought that you would be, well, older."
Geralt glares at her.
"Is there a problem that I should know about?"
Nina shakes her head.
"No. Not quite."- She says- "It's just that I... I... "
She sighs and shakes his hand.
"It's nice to meet you, Geralt."- She continues- "Even though this doesn't look like the right time to meet someone."
Geralt looks down. He pulls out the letter that Johan wrote earlier and hands it to her.
"I met your brother in the forest. He was worried about you, but did not have the chance to come back."- He says- "He said that I would meet you someday, somewhere. I just didn't expect that it would be so soon."
Nina smiles.
"So, he's actually changed?"
Geralt raises his eyebrow.
"Umm, what do you mean?"
Nina continues to smile.
"Well, let's just say that my brother has always been a bad person. Until now."- She elaborates- "It seems that someone's words finally got through that stone cold heart of his. That's so good to hear."
She hugs Geralt.
"Thank you for fixing my brother's flaws."- She says to him- "I'll never forget what you did for us."
Geralt smiles sadly.
"I am glad that I made someone happy."- He says- "It's the least I could do."
Nina takes a step back and notices something deep within Geralt. Desperation. Sorrow. Aparthy. It is almost as if he has become a completely different person after what happened to his family.
"Are you... okay?"- She asks him- "You look like you've lost everything."
Jared sighs.
"It's been a bad day. For all of us."- He says- "We lost a lot of people and we... we don't want to talk about it. Not when our scars still run deep."
Nina nods.
"I... understand."- She says- "You must have lost someone, just like me."
Geralt looks up.
"Who was important to you?"
Nina looks back at him.
"My parents. They were the sweetest, kindest people on the entire planet."- She says- "They've been taking care of me ever since I knew myself and I truly appreciate that."
She looks down.
"But then, a bad man took them away from me."- She continues- "That's when I learned to hate. To mistrust."
Geralt raises his eyebrow.
"Did you ever forgive the one who did it?"
Nina shakes her head.
"Not at all."- She says- "And I don't think that I'll ever bring myself to do it, even when he changes for good."
She sighs.
"But I still love him."- She says- "That's why I decided to embark on this adventure."
Jared nods.
"Maybe you should come with us."- He says- "We are going to form a little community soon. You're welcome to become a part of it."
Nina shakes her head.
"I appreciate the offer, but I guess that I'm better off living as a lone wolf. I've never gotten used to communities, anyway."- She says- "However, I'm sure that we'll meet again someday. And when we do, I'll make sure to pay back for what you did for me out here."
She looks at Geralt.
"But first."- She says and smiles- "I'd like to give you something. An emblem of honor and a sign of hope in those times of despair."
Nina hands Geralt a small flower-like item. Geralt looks closer and realizes that it resembles a rose, only in a more... crystalline form.
"This is a crystal rose!"- Jared exclaims- "It's such a rare artifact! How did you manage to find it?"
Nina smiles.
"It's been in my pocket ever since I was born."- She says- "I was sensing its energy, feeling its vibrations. It's been calming me for a long time and I think that it would be best if I gave it to someone who needs it more than me."
Geralt raises his eyebrow.
"But we just met!"- He exclaims- "Why would you give a lifelong possession to someone like me?"
Nina shakes her head.
"Trust me, it's not easy to part ways with such an object."- She says- "But in the end, my sympathy outweighs my caution. I understand that you need a source of motivation, so here you go."
She smiles.
"I hope that this reminds you of the things that you love the most."- She says to him- "Remember that you're not alone in this world. Someday, good things will happen to you and you shall be happy again. What you once lost shall soon be restored and you shall feel the joy of a new world, filled with happiness and hope."
Then, she hugs him again.
"You're like the little brother that I've never had."- She says- "I hope that we can meet again soon. Farewell, sweetheart."
As Geralt hugs her back, her smile gets a little wider. She comes to realize what true love is all about and is eager to share it with this little boy.
Moments later, she backs away and waves at Geralt and his family.
"Wait!"- Geralt yells as she leaves.
When he realizes that she is not coming back, he sighs and takes a few steps back.
"Thank you... Miss Nina."
Jared sighs and shakes his head.
"It's time to leave, my boy."- He says to Geralt- "We do not want your father's sacrifice to be in vain, do we?"
Geralt sighs.
"Of course not."
As the three of them leave the still-burning ruins for good, they notice something falling down from the sky.
"Wait!"- Akira exclaims- "What is that?"
Jared stares at the falling rock in awe.
"Amazing!"- He exclaims- "What a rare phenomenon!"
Geralt looks at him.
"What is this thing, grandpa?"
Jared smiles.
"It's a rare meteor-like rock that falls from the sky every two decades or so."- He replies- "Our finest craftsmiths are able to make some incredibly powerful weapons from them. However, it takes a lot of time to create one and the magic that is held within those pieces could force two or three generations of them to craft it in order to achieve something... acceptable."
He sighs.
"Of course, the rest is up to its wielder."- He adds- "The weapon tunes itself to the power of them and converts it into raw, controllable energy, ready to be used against an opponent and decimate them in the process."
Geralt smiles.
"Perfect!"- He says- "I want to see it with my own eyes!"
He runs forward.
"Geralt! Wait!"- Akira exclaims- "This could be dangerous!"
And then, she sighs.
"Ugh. Who am I kidding?"- She adds- "He's as fearless as his daddy."
Jared smiles.
"Do not blame the boy for being such a hero."- He says- "Especially if his true qualities are showing at such a young age."
Akira sighs again.
"I would never blame my nephew for anything."- She says- "I'm just worried that he'll become like his father. That's all."
Jared smiles again.
"And you think that this is a bad thing?"
Akira stares at her father.
"Don't be foolish, dad!"- She exclaims- "You saw what happened out there!"
Jared sighs.
"I know. It is quite dangerous to speak like this."- He says- "But we should nurture the boy's talents as best as we could. It is for the best of everyone, after all."
Akira smiles.
"Now we're talking!"
Geralt looks back.
"Aunt! Grandpa!"- He says- "Come look at this! It is so fascinating!"
Akira approaches her nephew.
"What is it, sweetie?"- She asks him- "What caught your attention?"
He points at the strange lumps of pure white metal lying on the ground. He picks one of them up and it starts glowing in his hands.
"Impressive!"- Jared exclaims- "It's getting attuned to him, even in this raw form!"
Akira looks at her father.
"Does this mean that something good will happen?"
Jared shrugs.
"Nobody knows!"- He responds- "Only time will tell whether the newly forged blade shall accept its new master or not. Either way, it would be most curious to study it further."
Geralt looks up at the sky.
"So. I guess that she was right. Good things are bound to happen to those who are not afraid to believe."- He says to himself- "Thank you, Miss Nina. From now on, I shall become the example of a true fighter for justice and peace. I shall make this world a better place for all of us. And when I do, I give you my word that we shall meet again."