MLSD- Part 2

This is the second Part of "ML:SD"
It was released on 15.07.2023.
== Plot ==
With another young soul in his responsible hands, Geralt Kaos leads the journey to Sunset Sanctuary with his own two hands, in the hopes of finding a calm island in this sea of trouble. Like a shepherd with his small flock, he prepares himself for the inevitable, knowing that the inevitable is preparing for him.
In the meantime, a small but very well organized band of notorious hijackers finds its way into the ship. They emerge from the crate zone and start attacking innocent civilians deeper within, causing a ship-wide chaos for both the passengers and the captain and leading the entire ship into the jaws of darkness. Literally.
Is there still a chance for salvation for our small group? Or will they meet the same fate as everyone else if they don't save them?
== Story ==
Will looks around, astounded by the inside of the ship. Everything is kept so pristine, as if it were made yesterday. There are rooms for ship passengers to the left and right of them, although only a few of them are occupied right now.
"This ship was meant to be a war vessel and transport thousands of allied units into the unexplored lands to fight the enemy. That was back in the time when Redmark was still invading our lands and ruining our lives."- Geralt notes- "Pretty neat, huh kids?"
Will looks at him.
"Did you tell that story to a lot of people before?"
Geralt chuckles.
"Heh. It is true."- He says- "Many before you were willing to listen. And I told them what I what I told you, short and simple."
Will nods.
"From the sound of it, you would have been a great tour guide."
Geralt smiles.
"Yes. I would have been."- He confirms- "If Life did not make me a hero instead."
Stella grins and grabs Will's arm again.
"This is the perfect place for our honeymoon!"
Will looks at her, shocked.
"H-honeymoon?!"
Geralt looks down and sighs.
"Hmm."- He mutters quietly- "Honeymoon... "
Will raises his eyebrow.
"Is something wrong, uncle?"
Geralt looks up, realizing that he is still with his nephew. He shakes his head.
"Nothing of immediate importance."- He responds- "I will tell you about it later."
Will looks disappointed.
"Aww."- He says- "Why not now?"
Geralt smiles.
"Because we want to relax and stay away from the troubles in our lives."- He says- "This is why we embarked on this journey. Right?"
Will looks down.
"I guess so... "
As the three of them walk forward, Geralt takes a look at Stella. She still seems to be very excited, filled with as much energy as her beloved William.
"So, honey."- He says to her- "How did you and Will come to be together?"
Stella raises her eyebrow.
"Didn't he tell you anything?"
Geralt shakes his head.
"Not at all."- He responds- "Will is very secretive when it comes to matters like those."
Stella nods.
"Oh. I understand."- She says- "Well, it's not anything special. We met at the school roof. I was breing bullied by some bad guys. He took a big stick and scared them away with ease, even managing to smack one in the head for not leaving me alone. From that day, I fell in love with him. And then, I asked him out on a date. Then another. Until the love was finally mutual for both of us. We've been loving each other ever since."
Geralt nods. This short story reminds him of how he saved his own beloved woman- Aurelia. Flashbacks of Alais Keymoira's residence appear inside of his mind as he sees the beautiful face of the girl that he saved so many years ago, smiling at him from a distance.
"So, you are just like her... "
Then, he looks at his nephew.
"Wow, Willy."- He says to him- "It sounds like you're already the hero that you dream to be!"
Will grins.
"Am I?"- He says and smiles- "Well, I'm doing my best to be everyone's hero."
Geralt nods.
"And it is working."- He says- "Look at what a beautiful companion you already have."
Will and Stella stare at each other. They blush simultaneously and look away, amazed that Geralt is approving their relationship.
"Anyway, we have an entire ship to explore. And a big island, after we arrive."- Geralt says- "Come on, children. A week of peace and quiet awaits us."
The three of them walk forward and meet the ship's captain, preparing the vessel for the ride and inspecting it for any notable flaws.
"Well met, Kaos family!"- He says to them- "I am glad that you took the time to hop aboard my little ship!"
Geralt takes a step forward and shakes the man's hand.
"It is a pleasure for us to be here, captain!"- He exclaims- "The ship looks immaculate! We have never seen such a mighty vessel in our lives!"
The captain smiles and shakes his hand back.
"Well, wait until it takes off."- He says- "Then, the ride will truly be magical."
He turns around and looks at the vast, uncharted sea outside of his ship. He sighs.
"If only more people enjoyed ship rides as much as you do. Ship rides have not been popular since the days of Redmark. You know, the time when the entire world almost became a giant empire."- He says- "It would make my days so much better. But alas, that is not meant to happen."
Geralt nods.
"We will make sure that everyone knows about your humble vessel."- He says- "Soon, many people will feel the same way."
The captain smiles.
"I appreciate it, Mr. Kaos."- He says- "You seem like a kind and respectable person. If you think that you can do this, then I'll be in your debt."
Geralt shakes his head.
"There is no debt in my eyes, my friend. I am just helping the people of this world live happier lives."- He says- "Now, I think that the entire crew is waiting for you. Maybe you should go back to them soon."
The captain nods.
"Of course. The ride will start soon."- He says- "Take your seats, honored passengers. This is going to be the most wonderful ride of your lives."
Having said that, the captain prepares to maneuver the ship, preparing it for the very first journey of its lifetime.
"What a kind mister he was."- Will says- "Are all captains like that?"
Geralt shakes his head.
"Not really."- He says- "Most are irritable and mercurial. They can get angry easily and do not accept any advice from others. Or. as a matter of fact, their help."
Stella sighs.
"I'm just glad that someone was kind enough to welcome us."
Geralt looks at her.
"Don't you receive any welcomes when you go somewhere, dear?"
Stella shakes her head.
"Not always."- She says- "Most of the time, people regard our family in a very... unfriendly manner. Sometimes, they call us "power-hungry freaks". Other times, they berate us, claiming that we don't know the sound of anything but the money. It sickens me, but I'm forced to listen."
Geralt raises his eyebrow.
"And you are... not like them?"
Stella looks up, slightly angered.
"Of course not!"- She exclaims- "I grew up with my grandpa and grandma! They were the ones who taught me how to be a proper woman!"
Geralt nods.
"So your parents abandoned you while you were young?"- He says- "Hmm. How peculiar."
Will sighs.
"She's just like me."
Geralt raises his eyebrow.
"You lost your parents when you were still a baby, Will."
Will nods.
"And yet, it feels like she lost hers, too."
Seeing that Stella is flustered, he decides to drop the topic and talk about something else.
"Anyway, look at the wonderful journey that we've just embarked on!"- He exclaims- "Adventure! Excitement! Free food! How can people fear the sea when there is nothing to fear?"
Geralt shakes his head.
"You are way too naive, my boy."- He says- "Just don't let your guard down. Okay?"
Will nods.
"Of course."- He responds- "I never stopped thinking about it."
With that, the three of them settle in their respective cabin. Immediately, they realize that it is quite peaceful inside. Three drinks have been left for them on a nearby table, ready to drink. A cooling unit keeps the heat away from the little room. And the ship steward is always prowling outside, waiting for the passengers' orders, should they have any.
"Wow!"- Stella exclaims- "Now this is a first class ride!"
Geralt smiles.
"And it did not cost much."- He says- "It is quite fortunate, really."
Stella takes Will's hand and smiles serenely.
"Well, I'm also quite fortunate."- She says and kisses Will on the cheek- "Having a nice a life and Willy by my side, that is!"
Will blushes.
"Umm, me too!"
Geralt smiles.
"It is nice to see you like this, children."- He says to them- "You two were made for each other."
Stella raises her eyebrow.
"How do you know that, Mr. Kaos?"
Geralt continues to smile.
"Well, those sparks in your eyes say it all."
Stella nods.
"And yet, the biggest spark is the one that keeps us united."
Geralt sighs.
"You do not know how right you are, my dear."
As the three of them continue to talk, Will overhears something, seemingly coming from nearby. At first, it sounds like another vivid hallucination, but it soon becomes clear that this speech is, indeed, quite real.
"It sounds like someone is muttering. And they seem to be... angry?"- He says to himself- "For all I know, this might just be a group of annoyed passengers. But I've seen what people are capable of. So, I suspect that, whoever they may be, it is easy to tell that they're not friendly."
Then, resigned to stop a malevolent force, he stands up from his seat.
"Excuse me, uncle."- He says- "I have to go the bathroom. Urgently."
Stella looks at him.
"Can I come with you?"
Will raises his eyebrow.
"Why do you always want to be with me?"
Stella smiles.
"Because you're my boyfriend!"- She exclaims- "People who love each other are always together, right?"
Will shakes his head.
"Well, yes."- He says- "But not in that kind of sense!"
Geralt smiles.
"It's okay, Will. You can go relieve yourself."- He says- "I will keep your lady company for the time being."
Will nods.
"I appreciate it, uncle."- He says- "Thank you."
Geralt nods.
"You are welcome, my boy."
Will leans forward and kisses Stella's hand, making her blush slightly.
"You stay here, my love."- He says to her- "I will be back soon."
Stella smiles and hugs him.
"I know that you will."- She says to him- "I love you, Willy."
While the two of them continue to talk, Will sneaks out of the cabin and looks around. He follows the sound of angry muttering, arriving at the entrance to a nearby cabin not long after. A relatively normal place to rest, but an endangered one nonetheless.
"There we go."- He says to himself- "Now where are those pricks?"
Looking at the cabin's window, he notices two hooded men sneaking up to a small, vulnerable group of passengers. They are muttering in a very familiar tone, making Will recognize them as the source of the angry voices.
From the looks of it, they do not intend to kill the passengers. Instead, they probably plan to steal their things. This means that they are, most likely, ship robbers.
"So, it's this kind of scum. Hmph. How peculiar."- Will says to himself- "Uncle has dealt with freaks like those in the past. If I want to feel like him, I must not act like a coward. Not in front of the people who will eventually call me a hero."
The two robbers pull out knives and prepare to hold the passengers at knifepoint. As one of them prepares to speak, Will busts the door open and runs into the cabin.
"Stop, evildoers!"- He exclaims- "I will not let you do this!"
The robbers attempt to fight back, but Will manages to throw both of them out of a nearby window. As they fall, the young hero grabs their knives and watches as they tumble into the sea below, screaming and thrashing as the ship continues to move without them on board.
"Umm."- One of the passengers says, completely puzzled- "What just happened?"
Will shakes his head.
"It is a complicated situation."- He says- "All that you need to know is that your supplies are safe. The robbers are no longer a threat."
Another passenger smiles at him, clearly satisfied that they have been saved.
"How can we ever repay you, youngster?"
Will shakes his head.
"You do not have to."- He responds- "Just keep the heroes of this world in your thoughts, because we do the same."
The man nods.
"It shall be done."- He says- "Thank you for your heroism."
Now that he has saved the passengers, Will nods, excuses himself and leaves the cabin, closing the door behind him.
As he plays with the two knives, he notices a larger group of ship robbers. Thankfully, he manages to see them well before they can see him, so he hides in the shadows and watches them for a while.
"So."- One of them says- "The boss promised a big price on this one. Is it going to work?"
A second robber nods.
"The BB has never failed us. His plans have always been flawless."- He reassures his colleague- "Remember, the bigger the prize- the easier it'll be for us."
The first one sighs.
"I mean, yeah. We've stolen many of 'em before."- He says- "But something tells me that it's not going to work this time. I mean, look at all the people watching us. They know that we're up to no good. Are we really going to make it inside before somebody makes a move against us?"
The second one shakes his head.
"I'm not scared of fighting a few rich brats."- He says- "Besides, no bounty is taken without a fight. We'll come face to face with them. And then, once they've all been eradicated, the ship will be ours. Mark my words, comrade."
Will raises his eyebrow.
"They plan to take... the ship?"- He says to himself- "Oh no. This... this is not good!"
Suddenly, the group of robbers starts to turn around.
"Say, I keep thinking that someone's watching us."- The first one says- "Should we investigate?"
The second one nods.
"It's for the best."- He says- "Let's go."
As the robbers start to look around, Will carefully sneaks past them, trying not to make any noise. Unfortunately, just as he is about to enter his cabin, a floorboard creaks, revealing his position to the group.
"Hey!"- One of the robbers says- "Get back here!"
As they fire warning shots simultaneously, Will sneaks back into the cabin, narrowly escaping the gunshots.
"Hmph. Coward got away."- One of them says- "But it doesn't matter. We're already close. Let's keep movin'."
Will pants heavily as the robbers leave the cabin area.
"Will, you're back!"- Geralt exclaims- "You look kind of pale, though. What is wrong?"
Will starts to breathe rapidly. He looks at his uncle and shakes his head.
"Ship robbers are aboard!"- He exclaims- "I threw two of them off, but more of them kept coming! They almost killed me while I was coming back!"
Geralt calmly raises his eyebrow.
"Hmph. I guess that our ride is not quite as peaceful as I had anticipated."- He says- "It's okay, though. We have faced worse than this. Soon, those robbers shall feel our wrath."
Will looks at his uncle.
"You seem to be way too calm about this."- He says- "Are you sure that we should not be worried?"
Geralt shakes his head.
"No, my boy."- He says- "We should always be worried."
Will looks at the seat next to his own. He soon realizes that it is empty.
"Wait!"- He exclaims- "Where is Stella?"
Geralt looks at the seat, noticing the same thing.
"She is absent?"- He says- "Hmm. I thought that she was just staying quiet."
Will stares at his uncle, in disbelief."
"You mean that you don't know where she is?!"
Geralt sighs.
"Calm down, child. Your girlfriend is alright."- He says- "She probably just went to the bathroom, just like you did. Poor girl just couldn't stand being without you. Or maybe her bowels just couldn't stand the heat. One of the two."
Will nods and sits down.
"Perhaps you are right about this."- He says and sighs- "The coast guard is probably taking care of those freaks. Stel should be safe from the-- "
Suddenly, the two of them hear a familiar scream and leap to their feet.
"That sounded like Stella!"- Geralt says, fully alert- "Come on, Will! Let's save her!"
Will nods.
"I am right behind you, uncle!"
The two of them run forward and notice a large group of ship robbers, staying near the captain's cabin. They are holding a young girl hostage and Will immediately identifies her as Stella. At the same time, many of the passengers have emerged from their cabins, staring at the outlaws with pure loathing and contempt.
Will tries to run forward and save his girlfriend, but Geralt stops him.
"It is most unwise for a child to fight against fiends like those."- Geralt says and draws his weapon- "Stand back, Will. Let the adults handle this."
Will looks at his uncle.
"But... I want to fight them, too."
Geralt nods.
"You will. But not now. Not yet."- He says- "First, we must attempt to thread carefully. Those people are dangerous and we need to proceed with caution, if we want to drag your girlfriend out alive and well."
Will sighs.
"I understand."- He says- "Go ahead."
Geralt nods and approaches the group of robbers. He points his sword at them, unafraid of their reckless attitude.
"Wait. I know you."- A large and burly man, presumably their leader, says- "You're that kid wonder, right? Geralt Kaos?"
Hearing the name of the mighty Geralt Kaos, many of the outlaws feel shivers down their spines. The name of the legendary hero has always inspired terror inside of people with malicious intentions, probably because they are aware that he is much more powerful than he seems to be. His mere glare is enough to burn their skin, and his weapon is more than just the tool of a peacekeeper.
"No, my comrades. Don't be afraid of him."- The man says- "He's the one who should be afraid of us. Not the other way around."
Geralt raises his eyebrow.
"And who might you be, lawbreaker?"
The mere mention of the word "lawbreaker" makes most of the robbers feel like they just received a death sentence. Considering the way he utters the foul word, that is, indeed, quite a reasonable reaction.
"The name of this warrior is Walter Burns. And don't you forget it."- He says- "We came her for glory and gold, and we're going to get it, even if we have to push our way past you. Our intention is to grab the ship and use it for our own... agendas. And we won't be stopped by the likes of you."
Geralt stares at him.
"And you think that you can get what you want by threatening a little girl's life? By scaring the passengers into submission"- He asks and shakes his head- "I thought that you outlaws are lowly, pathetic creatures. But today, you made yourself sink deeper than the Abyss itself."
He glares at all of them.
"If you really want this ship, why don't you just take it in the old-fashioned way?"- He asks- "You know, with force?"
The rest of the robbers stare at each other. Walter smiles.
"Why, that's a wonderful idea, my good sir!"- He exclaims- "How didn't I think about it earlier?"
Having said that, he pulls out a laser gun, prompting most of his allies to do the same.
"Alright, boys."- He says- "Let's take this ship. By force."
The outlaws start shooting wildly, forcing Geralt and Will to take cover. Walter approaches one of the robbers, possibly one of his closer subordinates, and orders him to keep the girl tied up.
"If she tries to resist, just shoot her down."- He warns him- "There's no point keeping a single human alive."
The man raises his eyebrow.
"But sir. I thought you said that we won't kill anyone."- He says- "And why do I have to do it? You know that I can't kill people, right?"
Walter sighs.
"Just do as I say and you'll be fine."
The man looks at Stella.
"Okay... "
As Walter continues to shoot, the man watches over Stella. Tired of being thrown around like a plastic bag, she tries to free herself from her restraints, prompting the guard to draw his laser gun to subdue her.
"I'm warning you, stop it."- He says- "If you don't stop, I'll be forced to shoot."
Stella smirks.
"You don't scare me, foulmouth."- She says- "I've seen animals fight better than you."
The man shakes his head.
"Watch your tongue, young lady."- He says- "Or I'll be forced to cut it off."
Stella glares at him.
"Maybe you should worry about cutting the profits first."- She says- "If you can catch me, that is!"
Having said that, she lifts the chair and pierces the guard's foot with one of them, making him yell out in pain. While he works to pull it out, she tears the ropes holding her down with her teeth, escaping from the grasp of her enemies and running forward like a madwoman.
"Sir!"- One of the robbers yells- "We got a fugitive on the loose!"
Walter readies his laser gun and prepares to shoot.
"I got this."
Just as he is about to shoot her, a bullet pierces his left shoulder. Looking up, he sees Geralt, holding a gun in his hands.
"You... annoying rascal!"
As Stella runs back in Will's hands, Geralt continues to aim the gun at Walter.
"You seem to be quite the grizzled survivor. But looks can be quite deceiving."- He says to him, testing his will to fight- "Are you sure that you're capable of inflicting harm?"
Walter smirks.
"Capable?"- He says- "Hmph. Watch closely."
Having said that, he aims his laser gun at a nearby crewmember and nonchalantly shoots him in the head, startling everyone around him.
Terrified, Stella hugs Will even harder. The boy stares in disbelief at the recently deceased man, barely believing that the robbers are capable of more than just stealing supplies from innocent civilians.
"There!"- Walter yells- "Are you convinced now, Mr. Kaos?"
Geralt shakes his head.
"I was right about you! All of you are a bunch of helpless freaks!"- He yells back- "Killing innocent people will not be forgiven! You will not escape from the hand of justice!"
Walter raises his eyebrow.
"Justice, hmm? This seems like something a backwards person would say."- He says- "There's no justice left in this world, sir! All of it disappeared years ago! Now, all that's left is crime and evil! And you can't change it!"
While still using his gun, Geralt draws his sword again to pierce three nearly robbers.
"Justice has never forgotten about you! It may not be here right now, but you should not count it out!"- He yells- "Now raise your hands before I shoot you!"
Walter smirks.
"Bring it on, hero."
As Geralt fights against all of the robbers, Will and Stella attempt to help him. However, he simply mutters for them to stay back and keeps on fighting, forcing the children to find a place to hide.
Taking a few steps back, they encounter a trio of robbers. They attempt to capture them, but Will kicks one of them down, takes his gun and shoots all three of them in the head.
Just as they think that this is over, another robber jumps out at them, forcing Will to leap back and shoot him in the chest. Then, on the verge of panic, he fires a single laser round into his skull, preventing his reanimation.
Staring at the fresh kills with a terrified look on his face, Will is barely able to comprehend what is happening. He has managed to kill the first people in his life. Villains, yes, but still living people. And he just took their lives away.
"Oh God. What have I done?"- He mutters- "I'm a monster!"
Stella embraces her boyfriend, trying to comfort him.
"It's okay, honey. They were just a bunch of bad people."- She says to him- "There's no need to feel bad about it."
Will looks at Stella and shakes his head.
"No, Stel. They might have been evil, but they were still people. Residents of this world."- He says and attempts to take a step back- "Please, stay back. I do not want to hurt you. It is best for you to run away."
Stella raises her eyebrow.
"Run away? No way!"- She exclaims- "I came here to protect you! And that's exactly what I'll do! Try as hard as you might, you can't stop me!"
As Will attempts to warn her again, Walter catches up to them and forcefully pulls Stella away from him.
"You've been a real naughty girl, youngling."- He says- "Perhaps I was wrong to keep you alive."
At the same time, two robbers apprehend Will and force him away from his girlfriend. He screams and thrashes wildly, but it does him no good. A child is not capable of escaping from the grasp of an adult, let alone two of them.
"And now, it's time for your bell of demise to ring loud."- Walter says and smiles- "Good night, princess. Enjoy your life in the silver skies above."
Unconcerned about herself, Stella immediately breaks free and attacks the two robbers, killing them on the spot with her needles. Even though she has managed to escape from Walter, however, the man still intends to kill her. He fires a single round, choosing carefully where to shoot... 
*BANG!*
Realizing what Walter is about to do, Geralt rushes forward, in a desperate attempt to save his nephew's girlfriend. Sadly, he is far too late. The laser round pierces the girl's abdomen almost instantly, sending her flying into Will's arms.
"Stel!"- Will yells- "NO!"
As Will starts to cry, Walter prepares to shoot them both on the spot. However, before he can make it happen, Geralt grabs him by the neck, casts a wind spell and forcefully pushes him toward a nearby window, breaking both the glass and his head.
And yet, the vile robber manages to survive the attack. Still holding the gun in his hand, he attempts to shoot them, but Geralt manages to shoot the weapon out of his hand, effectively disarming and disorienting him at the same time.
"Not bad... Kaos."- Walter mutters and smiles- "I can see why people like you so much. You're not...afraid to do the right thing."
Geralt shakes his head.
"I'll make you swallow all those bullets back, you absolute monster!"
Meanwhile, Will continues to hold the bleeding Stella in his arms. He cries as she struggles to keep living.
"Stel, no. This is not true."- He says- "We were meant to live together. Our fates were going to be connected. Why did you have to do this?!"
Stella shakes her head.
"Shh. It's not your fault."- She says- "You... did your best. That's true. But you can't save everyone out there. Even your loved ones are not... invulnerable."
Will looks down, defeated.
"Why is the world so cruel to us?!"- He yells- "Why can't we live normally, at least for a little bit?!"
Horrified by his girlfriend's condition, he fails to notice the man from before sneaking up on them. He was tasked to guard Stella at all costs and he plans to do the same thing with Will, especially while he is vulnerable.
"Yes! That's right!"- Walter exclaims- "Get 'em, Nash!"
Nash nods.
"You got it, boss."
Nash considers killing both of the children and relieving his group of two troublemakers. However, as he pulls out his gun, he starts to hesitate. The more he points the weapon at them, the more he doesn't want to. Finally, he simply decides to capture both of them alive. 
As Nash prepares to tie the two children with ropes, a large rock formation pops out of the ground. He attempts to avoid it, but it is too late. Soon, his head is pierced by the large wonder of nature, killing him instantly.
"What the... "- Walter mutters- "No!"
Walter looks at Geralt, horrified. Motes of magical energy are still coming out of the palms of his hands, indicating who is resonsible for this.
"How dare you?!"- He yells- "Nash was just a kid! He didn't deserve this!"
Geralt points his weapons at him and shakes his head.
"I warned you earlier, but you were not wise enough to listen."- He says- "If you try to kill one of ours, you are condemning yourself to a life of suffering. Just like him."
Walter shakes his head.
"I can't believe you took out all of your rage on him."- He says- "And for what? That girl's already dead. Soon, all life will be drained out of her."
Geralt calmly aims his gun at Walter's head.
"It is over, Walter."- He says- "You have lost. Admit it."
Walter looks around and smiles.
"Not by a long shot, good boy."- He says- "Look around. My comrades are still here. If I'm not the one to execute you, then they'll do it for me."
Geralt smiles.
"Maybe you should listen closer to the sounds of defeat."
Suddenly, Walter hears screams coming from nearby. He looks up and sees that the rest of the robbers are getting attacked. Apparently, a sizable group of the passengers are armed, and they got fed up by the robbers' attempt to ruin their trip, deciding to ruin their lives instead.
"But... this can't be."- He mutters- "Our plan was so perfect. The ship... it was meant to be ours."
Geralt shakes his head.
"Not every wish comes true, my friend."- He says- "Sometimes, you have to accept defeat in order to know what it feels to be a true warrior."
Driven mad by this sudden experience, Walter leaps to his feet. He pushes Geralt away, then pulls out a large, two-handed gun from his back.
"Watch out, uncle!"- Will yells- "He's got a flamethrower!"
Geralt quickly stands up and points his gun at him.
"You arsonist! Don't you dare!"- He yells- "If you burn down this ship, everyone will die!"
Walter, clearly mad, laughs maniacally.
"So what? It doesn't matter!"- He yells- "It's not worth it anymore! If I can't have the ship... then nobody will have it!"
Having said that, he laughs again and starts the flamethrower. Flames spread rapidly everywhere on the ship, spreading even further as Walter runs around like a madman. Which, truth be told, he probably is.
"Will!"- Geralt yells- "Take Stella and stand back!"
However, Will does not move away from his current spot. He is holding the bleeding Stella in his hands, doing nothing else as chaos happens all around him.
"You were going to be my princess. My gorgeous flower. My goddess."- He says to her- "Why did this have to happen to us?"
Barely conscious, Stella shakes her head.
"Everyone has their fair shot in this world."- She says weakly- "But I guess I never had the chance to have mine. It's a bad thing, but at least you're okay."
Geralt runs up to them, his face and arms covered in blood.
"Didn't you hear me?"- He yells- "Get out of here!"
Will looks up.
"Uncle!"- He yells- "Stella is badly wounded!"
Geralt gasps.
"What?!"
Will shakes his head.
"She's going to die!"- He yells- "Please! Save her!"
Geralt kneels and nods.
"I will do my best."
As Geralt attempts to bring Stella back to life with his healing magic, Will stands up and wildly fires at the approaching robbers. There are many of them to the left and right, but he does not care- keeping his girlfriend alive is his utmost priority right now, and he will stop at nothing to save her from imminent doom.
"Well, honey. You definitely got yourself in a lot of trouble."- Geralt says to Stella- "How are you doing? Can you keep it up?"
Stella weakly looks up at him.
"Mr. Kaos. Don't tell Willy, but... I don't think that I'll make it out of this one."- She says to him- "If I don't survive, I want you... to have this... "
Then, she hands him a small letter, sealed inside of a large, gray envelope with a white heart in the middle of it.
"Do not talk like this, young lady."- He says, taking the envelope just in case- "You're going to make it! I will not let you die!"
Stella smiles.
"I'm already marked, sir."- She says- "Please. Let... me... go... "
Then, she quickly falls unconscious, seemingly succumbing to her wounds.
"Argh. Her lifeforce is fading away."- Geralt says- "Come on, honey. Stay with us. Do not leave."
He checks for a pulse, realizing that she is still alive. However, the spark of life is quickly fading away from her heart. If Geralt wants to do something to save the girl's life, it is now or never. And he is the only one who can make it happen.
Resigned to save Stella's life, just like he had promised Will, Geralt casts his most powerful healing magic on the young girl. He knows that her body might not be able to take it, but he is also aware that this is her best chance to survive the onslaught. He kisses her forehead, assuring her that everything will be alright. Then, he pushes her chest with his elbow, struggling to maintain the flow of her heart. At the same time, he casts magic on her wounds, doing his best to seal them as soon as possible. And yet, the odds still seem to be against him. Even though he can only feel the spark through her lifeforce, he still fears that his actions might not be enough to save her.
Unfortunately, those fears soon come true for him. Although he does his best to keep her soul from collapsing, even his mighty efforts are not enough to save a condemned soul from the brink of demise. Soon, the last of the lifeforce vanishes from existence, indicating that Stella has died.
Horrified by the fact that he just lost another person dear to him, one that was like a daughter to the hero, Geralt falls on his knees and looks up, his eyes bloodshot and wide.
"NO!"- He screams wildly- "NOT AGAIN!"
Hearing his uncle's cries, Will immediately rushes to his side. He kills a few more robbers, staring at them with sadness in his eyes as he runs.
"Uncle! There you are!"- He exclaims- "Is everything alright?"
Slipping back into his old PTSD, Geralt looks up at his nephew, his wide eyes piercing their way into his gentle soul. He is frozen in place, unable to move away from the approaching flames and simply sits in front of him, cradling Stella's lifeless corpse in his arms.
"No, William! Nothing is alright!"- He yells- "I tried to save your girlfriend. I really did. But... it was too late for her... "
Heartbroken and horrified, Will falls on his knees, as well. Hearing of Stella's demise has caused the last fragments of bravery to be utterly crushed, under the weight of Life itself.
"I thought that there was still a chance."- He mutters- "Was I... mistaken?"
Geralt shakes his head.
"I... am sorry, Will. I really am."- He says- "Stella was a good girl. But even good girls... are forced to suffer."
Will shakes his head in disbelief.
"What am I going to do without her, uncle?!"
Geralt attempts to respond. However, he soon catches sight of Walter. The madman is still setting the ship on fire with his flamethrower, laughing as he listening to the condemned's screams of terror.
"Yes! Yes!"- He yells- "Everything will burn!"
Infuriated by what the villain did to Stella, Geralt leaps to his feet, his PTSD wearing away almost immediately. Despite his nephew's warning, he runs up to the madman and grabs him by the neck.
"You worthless piece of garbage! You insolent byproduct of darkness!"- He screams- "I will make you wish the fire got to you!"
As Geralt prepares to stab him to death, a passenger notices something from one of the windows. He turns around and points at it, seemingly horrified.
"BLACK HOLE!!!"
Everyone turns around and stares as the ship quickly approaches the massive black hole ahead of it.
"Captain!"- Will yells- "Stop! We're all going to die!"
However, he hears no response coming from his cabin.
"It's no use, Will. The captain is probably gone."- He says- "Take everything that you have and run away. This place is doomed to fall."
Will shakes his head.
"I am not going anywhere without Stella!"
Geralt attempts to respond, but soon remembers how he refused to let Kiara go as she was dying more than a decade ago. He remembers how he stood with her in his hands, how he cried and begged for her to come back. And then, he sees how his family drags them both away, barely managing to keep them safe.
"I see what you meant back then, sister."- He says to himself- "Family is not just a group of people, connected by their common bond. It is a priority. A sacred duty, a burden meant to be carried only the for the bravest warriors. It is the holy force that keeps the fire burning, the spark of life inside the wasteland of despair."
Deciding that his nephew's life is much more important than anything else right now, he throws Walter at a nearly window, then grabs both Will and Stella.
"Then we will leave together!"- He exclaims- "Seat up, Will. This is going to be wild ride."
Then, he rushes forward, pushing his way past robbers and passengers alike. Most of them are not able to break the windows, so they helplessly whack them with their fists.
"I am sorry, everyone!"- Geralt yells- "If you want to survive, you have to be stronger!"
Then, without further ado, he kicks one of the windows with his injured leg, easily breaking it.
"Wow, uncle."- Will says and smiles- "You're amazing."
Geralt smiles back.
"No, dear nephew."- He says- "We are amazing."
With a new path open, Geralt and Will leap out of the window very quickly. The passengers attempt to do the same, but the surviving robbers continue to attack them, preventing them from going anywhere else.
As the black hole starts to pull our heroes toward itself, Will gets the sinking feeling that they shall meet the same fate.
"It's futile!"- He exclaims- "The pull is too strong!"
Geralt shakes his head.
"That is true."- He says- "But we are stronger!"
Having said that, he casts a spell on himself and Will. Suddenly, their bodies temporarily turn to stone, protecting them from the gravitational pull of the black hole. Even though the material is supposed to be very heavy, it turns out to be relatively light, allowing them to swim away freely.
"I think that I can see some lights ahead!"- Will yells- "Is that Sunrise Sanctuary?!"
Geralt sighs.
"Whatever it is, it better be safe!"
As the duo continues to swim, they hear a hissing sound coming from behind them. Apparently, the ship's emergency mechanism has activated, initiating the purging protocol that will destroy all evidence that it ever existed in the first place.
"Why would the builders install such a thing?!"- Will yells- "Aren't ships supposed to be safe for travel?!"
Geralt shakes his head.
"Sometimes, it is best to dispose of an unwanted object before it becomes infested with monsters."- He says- "However, there are times when the ship's purification process happens much faster than it should. Such is the case with this one."
As Will continues to stare at the burning ship, Geralt grabs his hand.
"What are you doing, you foolish boy?!"- He yells at him- "Keep moving!"
Will nods.
"Sorry, uncle!"
Fortunately, the two of them manage to get out of the ocean without further incident. Seconds after they reach the island, the ship explodes, sending a massive tide toward it.
"Uncle!"- Will yells- "Here it comes!"
Geralt stands between his nephew and the wave, intending to stop it before it consumes them.
"We have gone too far!"- He yells- "I will not let this happen!"
Having said that, he casts a powerful earth spell, forming a massive wall of magical stone within seconds as the huge tide approaches them.
Due to the fact that the tide was not spawned by a magical source, the wall of stone manages to ward it away with ease. It continues to crash into it, but it slowly loses its lower. Soon, the water withdraws, allowing Geralt and Will to take a break.
At the same time, the magical wall crumbles into pieces, its job done.
"Umm. Uncle."- Will says- "Where... are we?"
Geralt looks around, tired and puzzled.
"I am not quite sure yet."- He admits- "But it doesn't matter. Wherever we may be right now... we are still in danger."