49: One Final Hunt...
Oblivion stood in silence as their meals were brought into the room. He remained in the back until the servant left the room, after giving the black stallion a strange look. Anna made sure that all of them could reach the food easily and sat down to eat with them. As they all ate Oblivion indicated what he wanted and Ciri placed it on a plate and put it in front of him, allowing him to eat with them.
“After this, we shall need to figure out a way to have you sneak out,” Ciri said to the Duchess.
“I agree. I should be able to leave from my room. But if there is a guard on duty then I will be stuck in place.” She admitted to them.
“Same room as before or a new one?” Oblivion asked her.
“One above my old room. So the balcony above the one you recall.” She replied.
Oblivion nodded in understanding and went back to his own meal. As he considered their options he looked to the Duchess and raised his head once more. “You can still ride fairly well, I assume?”
“Of course. You helped to teach me if you recall.” She replied.
“I do recall. Is your balcony large enough for me to land on?” He asked her.
The group looked to him and understanding went through Geralt’s eyes first. “That’s actually a good idea.” He said aloud.
Oblivion said nothing as the Duchess understood his meaning. “You would fly up there to pick me up?” She asked him.
“That is what I am thinking. It might be easiest if we truly wish to avoid the guards.” Oblivion admitted to her.
She sat back in her chair and considered the Alicorn’s words. “You have a strong point.” She admitted and nodded to him. “I will open the balcony window to allow you to land easily enough. I would recommend landing sideways versus pointing toward the doors.”
“Understood. Sounds easy enough.” Oblivion replied.
“That’s almost not fair.” Ciri joked. “She gets to ride the flying Alicorn.”
Geralt chuckled and Oblivion rolled his eyes, good-naturedly at the young woman. They dined in silence and when it was finished they spoke about how they would meet up at Corvo Bianco. Once their plan was laid out Anna excused herself as night fell and Oblivion moved with the others to head outside and then into the area off to the side, allowing Oblivion to easily take off to pick up Anna. They tossed the rug and helm onto his body and let him outside.
“We will wait for a few minutes then send you up to get her. Will you meet us down here or at Corvo Bianco?” Ciri asked him.
“I think our best option for that is to see how she is able to hold on. If she is going to fall we will land and run there versus flying.” Oblivion replied as they walked down the hallway. He had his nose against the young woman’s cheek as he spoke in a whisper.
She nodded and they stood outside and waited for a few minutes until Oblivion gave them a signal and they removed the rug, fake halter, and helm to allow him to see and move freely. The stallions great wings beat and he reared up to allow his wings the most beat and they lifted him from the ground and he angled to the castle's towers. He stopped high in the air and looked down to locate the room Anna had mentioned. His orange eyes caught sight of the balcony he needed and he tilted his body downward and his wings held firm as he plummeted out of the skies and swiftly banked to allow himself to land sideways on the balcony. He landed silently and grimaced as the curtains were blown away from the doorways from the force of the air from his wings.
“Oblivion?”
He heard a soft whisper and he nickered in reply. Anna peered around the curtain as relief showed on her face. She carried a small pack and laid it across her body and then went to his side. “Will they notice?” He asked her.
“No. I told them that I was not to be awoken under any circumstances. So they will remain outside my doors until I open them.” She replied to him.
He nodded and bowed as low as he was able to allow her to get onto his back. She settled into place and leaned down to look at him.
“Do I place my legs in front of your wings or behind them?” She asked.
“Behind is probably for the best. Limiting the movement of the joints could be bad for both of us. I will go as slowly as I can. I suggest you hold tight, Anna.” He warned her and she gripped his mane fiercely in her hands.
He felt her legs clench around his sides and he looked over the side of the balcony and looked down to where the others waited. He looked back and she nodded to him. He nodded and put his hooves on the railing and jumped as gently as he was able. He grunted under the effort and allowed himself to fall in the air, eliciting a startled yelp from the Duchess on his back as he righted his body while his wings got under him and they beat easily, leveling out his flight. He glanced back to ensure that she was all right and his wings beat faster as he strove to keep his flight as even as possible. He had not flown with any weight before then, though he was not going to mention that if he could avoid it, and he was able to right his flight and the Duchess looked up from her place on his back and he heard her gasp.
“Anna?”
“I’m fine. I was just looking around.” She yelled at him.
“Good there they are.” He called back to her and a hoof pointed to Geralt and Ciri, riding double on Roach.
The black Alicorn hovered above the Witcher's horse and waited as they looked up to him, despite the winds from his wings. Geralt looked up to the hovering stallion and nodded to him.
“Anna!” Ciri yelled to her.
“Yes?” She called back.
“Are you okay to ride with Oblivion in the air or would you prefer on the ground with us?” She yelled at her.
Anna looked at the stallion and then to those below them. Oblivion looked back as a small smile grew on her face. He could see the excitement under her normal visage. “I will fly!” She yelled at them and Oblivion nodded at her decision. The stallion beat his wings and they took off once more. Oblivion made sure they were higher up before he began to leave the city under them. Anna held tightly to his mane as they flew and looked down as the stallion flew easily ahead of the others.
“Where are they?” She yelled after a fair amount of time.
The stallion straightened out his wings and allowed himself to coast and lose altitude to check the main roads. As they flew overhead he could see Roach at a hard gallop ahead of them.
“There!” He shouted to her and pointed a hoof to them.
“Can you fly over them?”
“Of course.” He replied and he aimed his wings and after several beats, he was over their heads and Anna yelled down to them and Ciri looked up and laughed as Geralt looked up as well and shook his head at the flying stallion.
They stayed close to them as they angled for the entrance to Corvo Bianco and Oblivion beat his wings to fly over the top of the vineyard and into the back fields that they had spoken about before. His hooves landed easily on the ground and they waited as Geralt and Ciri ran to the back to meet up with them.
“I say again. It’s not fair that you got to ride the flying horse.” Ciri complained despite the wide smile on her face.
Anna slowly slid off of Oblivions back and gave a slight shrug at the other woman’s teasing. Geralt joined them after a few minutes his pace hurried as he reached the other Witcher. He paused and reached out to Oblivion, gripping a handful of the stallion’s mane and pulling him off to the side.
“We have a problem.” He muttered to the Alicorn.
“Oh?”
“Yes. A Knight dropped off a contract request for a monster in the area. While Corvo Bianco is not in the affected area it is close enough to cause concern.” Geralt replied to his curiosity.
“That could be an issue. What kind? Or are we running blind?” He asked.
“According to the contract, it could be a higher vampire.” Geralt replied.
Oblivions head whipped around to stare at him. “Are you certain?” He asked, his voice lowered in pitch and volume.
“Yes. This is why I brought the request to you as well. Between the two of us, we should be able to identify and dispose of it quickly. No doubt it will get a clue about us when we open that book.”
“True enough. The magic from it alone will draw a crowd if they can sense it.” Oblivion admitted. “Damn. It’s never easy.”
“Of course not. We’re Witchers.”
“True lost our emotions and any good luck we might have had,” Oblivion commented. “We need to get Anna to the house with Ciri. Unless you have the sword Ciri gave to you when she walked away?”
“No. I don’t have it with me.” Geralt admitted. “You know she will fight us about not helping with the fight.”
“Of course she will. She was raised by Witchers. But she turned her back on that life and now must deal with the consequences of her choice. If needed I will talk to her.” Oblivion replied to him.
Geralt nodded and walked back to the two women and explained the situation. Oblivion looked over his shoulder and realized that his swords were still on Roach’s saddle. His orange eyes went back to the others as Ciri got a familiar look in her eye. A look of pure stubbornness that she had gotten from Geralt himself when she was a child. Oblivion gave a quiet sigh and walked up to them as Ciri informed Geralt that she would be helping him and not running to hide away in his house.
“Cirilla.” Oblivion's voice cut through the argument and all three turned to look at him.
“Oblivion! I can help you. I may not have my sword but…”
“No.” He said to her, his head raised above her, forcing her to look up to him.
“But…”
“No. You cast away the sword in favor of the life you lead now. You knew that you could not turn back and you made your choice. While your skills are useful, the sword is not your life any longer. When you cast it aside you also cast aside the fight.” He said to her, his voice stern and matter of fact.
Ciri looked down to the ground, her hands clenched into fists at his words. “I can borrow a sword.” She argued.
“Enough. This is a job for a Witcher, not a Princess of Cintra, among other titles.” Oblivion cut her off before she could begin to argue further.
“But you can’t use a sword.” She pointed out.
“You would wish to try me then?” Oblivion asked her. Ciri went silent at the Eldest Witcher's words. She hung her head and was quiet. “You will remain here with Anna. If you insist on picking up a sword then I’m sure there are a few inside of the house.” She looked at him, hopeful. “Do not think that means you are joining us. You will only use the sword to protect Anna should we fail.”
Anna stood off to the side and remained quiet as the young woman finally nodded and gave in. Oblivion lowered his head to her and gave her a gentle nuzzle before he looked to Geralt and motioned for them to leave. The Witchers left the two women behind as they headed for the stable. Geralt pulled Oblivions swords off of his saddle and buckled the baldric back in place on the stallion’s girth. Once they were settled Geralt gripped Roach’s saddle horn but stopped as the stallion snorted.
“Will be faster to fly.” He said aloud.
Geralt looked back to him and nodded. “True. But I did not think you would want your swords digging into your back.”
“You want to be on the ground with a possibly higher vampire?”
Geralt’s eyes widened slightly at the reply. He inhaled and shook his head. “No.” He gripped a hank of Oblivions long mane and vaulted onto the stallions back.
Geralt shifted until Oblivion gave a signal that he was all right in the position he was in. The Witcher held tightly to his mane Oblivion spread his wings and took to the air as the two women came into the courtyard and watched them leave. Geralt shifted on his back and held tighter to the stallions back. The stallion watched as the ground fell away, careful not to fly too high. They stayed above the tree lines and both scanned the grounds under them for any signs. Oblivion slowed and stopped in midair and pointed a hoof to gain Geralt’s attention.
“We can start there!” He shouted to him and the other Witcher nodded, gripping the thick silver mane tightly.
Oblivion dove to the ground and his wings flicked to allow him to pull back and land hind legs first. Geralt slid off the stallion back and began to look around them when Oblivion snorted and pointed to a side of the small clearing.
“Something drained this poor fool.” He said aloud as the two-legged Witcher joined him to look at the body in the bushes.
“Something tore his throat wide open.” Geralt said to him.
“Agreed. Normally a higher vampire is not that violent unless something has gone very wrong. I don’t think this is a true higher vampire.”
“I agree. Haven’t met any higher vampires that leave a mess this bad. Any ideas?” Geralt asked.
Oblivion looked closer at the body and as a scent went past his nose. He paused and looked to the other Witcher. “Take a closer sniff. It’s a venom I’m not familiar with. Least nothing comes to mind.”
Geralt did as instructed and he was thoughtful. “I’m not sure. I have smelled this before.”
“It’s almost like a fleder, but in a higher consistency.” The Elder Witcher commented absently.
“Oh no.” Geralt looked unhappily at the stallion, a grim look to his features. “ProtoFleder.”
Oblivions' mind clicked into place at the name and he groaned as well. “Damn. I haven’t fought one recently, you?”
“Yeah.” Geralt replied. “To get the Beast of Beauclair to appear I went to a place in the area that housed another higher vampire.”
“There is another around here?”
“No this was different. This one was called an Unseen Elder. A nasty, very old vampire that hates any and all contact with the outside. Nearly killed me to get him to call on Detlaff to meet me.”
“Detlaff? Isn’t he a friend of Regis?”
“Yes. Had to kill him to save Syanna.”
“Oh no. That is never a good idea. You or I can’t fully kill one of them, only another higher vampire can. Oh shit. Regis.” Oblivion replied.
“Yeah. Regis is not anyone’s friend now as far as vampires go.”
“Damn. Okay so is a ProtoFleder still the same in basics as a normal one?”
“Pretty much. Just faster and meaner.” Geralt replied.
“Great. Just great.” Oblivion growled.
Geralt nodded and they both began to try to find any tracks or sign of the monster in the vicinity. Oblivion walked carefully around the edges of the small clearing and his eyes narrowed as he raised his head as a strange light caught his attention. A small red light darted around within the trees and the Elder Witcher cautiously gave a quiet whistle to Geralt and used a hoof to beckon him over.
“What in the Hells is that?” He asked.
“That’s the ProtoFleder.” A look from Oblivion made him say more. “They give off an odd light that persists until you kill them.”
“You couldn’t have mentioned that sooner?” The black Alicorn asked him.
Geralt gave a shrug and they backed up, allowing themselves time to get ready before they challenged the monster. Geralt unhooked the saddlebags from Oblivions barrel and leaned them against a tree. Oblivion kept an eye on the beast while Geralt went through his saddlebags for potions.
“Black Blood?” Oblivion whispered to him.
“If you plan on getting bit sure.” Geralt replied.
Oblivion fought back a snide reply and nodded instead. “What then?”
“Anything that will help with your own speed, signs, and lifesaving.”
“So Quen, Yrden, Vampire Oil, and a dose of Ekkimara, and maybe a secondary of Katakan?”
“You can use two of them. I can’t handle toxicity that high.” Geralt reminded him.
“Right. Maybe Golden Oriole? If we do get nipped, then it won’t poison us.” He replied.
Geralt paused. “That’s actually brilliant. I don’t plan on getting hit but that is a good standby. Will be highly toxic though.”
“True. But I would rather have them on board rather than worry about it when we are fighting it.” Oblivion replied as he maintained his watch on the veering monster.
Geralt pulled the specified potions from the saddlebags and then grabbed the ones he would use as well. He downed his and Oblivion could hear him groan at the flavor. “Your turn. You can replenish your stock from mine at Corvo Bianco. I doubt the monsters you need are there.”
Geralt took his place while the stallion looked to the potions that had been set out for him. “Wonderful.” He hadn’t needed to use these many potions at the same time in quite a while. His claws held the first and he downed them swiftly. The liquids mixed with the mutagens slid down his throat and he bowed his head as he felt the effect begin moments after they hit his system. He glanced to Geralt and veins of color had appeared over the Witcher skin, his eyes blazed, and his skin had paled further. Oblivion snorted as the double Decoctions hit his body and he shuddered as they went through him. He panted for a moment as he then chased them with the Superior Golden Oriole. Geralt was still as the stallion placed the bottles in his saddlebags, oiled both their silver blades, and then waited for the creature to still for a moment.
“This should get its attention,” Oblivion said as he put his sword hilt in his mouth and stood in front of Geralt and gently pushed him back with a flick of one wing.
The black Alicorn channeled as much power into his Signs as he could and reared up. He slammed his forehooves to the ground casting Aard as he did so. The trees bent as the upgraded Sign hit them, causing a fair amount of sound as they broke and the earth trembled. The ProtoFleder stopped and now was seeing them for the first time. It raced to them and the two Witchers backed away and distanced themselves from the other. Geralt looked to the Elder Witcher and his eyes widened for a moment before Oblivion's orange eyes glanced to him and he refocused on the incoming Vampire.
“Least it can’t fly,” Oblivion muttered and his wings pinned tightly to his sides.
Geralt remained silent and both of them cast Yrden as they waited for it to appear once more. Oblivion waited and then closed his eyes. His ears flicked as he listened intently around him. Under his hooves, Yrden hummed and he cast Quen as he waited. His heels lit as he heard a growl behind him, his rear hooves collided with the creature’s chest, sending it away from him for the moment. The stallion spun and his Silver blade cute the air behind him as he jumped back, forcing the creature to chase him into Yrden.
Geralt rolled behind the creature as it focused on the black stallion and was able to drive his blade into its side as it screeched and vanished. The Elder Witcher nodded to him and they both refreshed their use of Quen and Yrden and once more began to wait for the right moment to attack. They fell still and Geralt watched as Oblivion closed his eyes once more and his ears flicked to listen. Geralt went back to watching around him as the creature appeared in front of him and its claws slashed at him and he backflipped away. It swung once more and its claws glanced off Quen and the shield exploded back against the monster and it screeched as the backlash pushed it back. Oblivion reared up and drove his claws into the creature’s tough hide. The stallion pulled back and used his claws to toss the monster aside with raw strength then slashed it with the blade in his teeth. It vanished once more and both of them groaned at the vanishing act.
“That gets old fast,” Oblivion said through his clenched teeth.
Geralt nodded and now stood at Oblivions back as they both cast Yrden, overlapping their signs to keep the monster in the circle. Geralt slid along Oblivions flank and stopped at his hip. His own sword gripped in his teeth. The well-oiled blade gave off its own glow as the black ichor of the creature’s blood blemished the tip and one edge. The stallion was quiet as they both listened and looked around as the monster suddenly appeared across from them and seemed to be waiting for them to move as well.
“I hate it when they get smart.” Geralt muttered.
“Agreed,” Oblivion said as he turned to face the creature at Geralt’s side. “I’ll drive it to you. Perhaps my being its size will come in handy for us. If I have to I'll make it chase me.”
Geralt paused but nodded and stayed within the circle that they had made from Yrden. “If it gets a hold of you, fly.” Geralt replied.
Oblivion nodded and left the circle and stood ten feet from the monster and tossed his head. His claws dug in and he charged the monster and it charged him in reply. It vanished and Oblivion spun his body in a circle, His flank struck the creature and it lost its footing. Oblivions claws ripped into its hide once more as it pulled away from him. The stallion leaped back as it swung its claws. Quen exploded as it was struck and the shield gave way, exploding in response to eth force of the blow. Oblivion skirted the edge and began to drive the monster toward the other Witcher. Geralt waited and Oblivion made sure that the creature was too occupied with his attacks to look behind him. The monster's legs entered the circle of Yrden and Geralt lunged ahead and drove his blade into its back, twisting as he drove it forward. The monster shrieked and fell forward, Oblivion baked away as it fell and waited as it stilled on the ground.
“Good strike,” Oblivion commented as he watched Geralt yank his sword from its back.
“Went down easier than I fought it would.” Geralt replied, his voice uncertain and questioning.
“Should it have done more?” Oblivion asked.
“The last one I fought was a terror to battle.”
Oblivion felt a sense of uncertainty creeping into his mind, setting his nerves on alert. The Alicorn watched as Geralt spun to grab the saddlebags and Oblivion inhaled as the monster moved. It stood and lunged to get its jaws on Geralt. Oblivion leaped into its back and tried to drive his horn through its back but the monster showed its speed and shifted just enough to avoid a direct hit, allowing the horn to drive through its side and embed there. Geralt shouted as Oblivion spun it around, knocking the younger Witcher to the ground with his flank. The creature claws dug at the Alicorn’s shoulders and then Oblivion could not stop the cry that pulled from him as the monster's fangs dug into his right wing.
“No!” Oblivion yelled as the appendage was being mauled.
The ProtoFleder teeth dug deep into the wings feather, muscle, bone, and began to shake its head like a dog with a bone, shredding the feathers and muscle under the skin. It released the Alicorn’s shoulders and yanked away, tearing its own side open as it yanked the wing. Oblivion pulled away and lunged forward trying to use his own blade to remove the monster's head or encourage it to release him. It yanked back and the stallion was dragged by the wing in its teeth. Oblivion dropped his sword when it proved to not be effective in the close quarter’s fight he was in. His nerves screamed and his own blood hit the ground as the wing gave way.
“Hold him!” Geralt roared at the Alicorn.
Oblivion spun and tried to buck the creature as it yanked the wing once more. Oblivion had no way of flying with the monster holding onto the middle of the folded wing, shredding it in its teeth. The stallion planted his hooves, allowing the monster to yank the wing and he forces the pain to the back of his mind and focused on making room for Geralt to attack it. The monster adjusted its bite and Oblivion felt its teeth grinding against the bones and tearing through the meat of the wing.
Geralt was beside him and struck the monster in the face, but it refused to drop the appendage in its teeth. The younger Witcher spun away and picked up the stallion’s dropped the blade and began to dual wield them to attack the monster. They were both now straining to pull away from the monster as it then spun, twisting the wing in its jaws, twisting the joints in the wing and earning a cry from the stallion.
Geralt spun to cut into the monsters hide and his blows struck true. The two Vampire oiled blades dug at its hide and then it yanked away from them with a strength that even Geralt was surprised at, considering how much blood it had lost. Beside him, Oblivion moaned in pain and pulled back, but the creature was able to pull him off his hooves and dragged the Elder Witcher forward. The stallion was dragged across the bloodied grass Geralt lunged forward to try to cut the wing free. He could see the bloodied feathers that littered the ground.
“Burn the damned thing!” Oblivion roared at him.
“What about…?”
“Do it!”
Geralt cupped his hand and made the sign for Igni. A stream of flame poured from his hand and struck both the wing and the Vampire that held it. The monster screamed and Oblivion roared in pain as the feathers and flesh burned under the intense flame. The stallion tried to lunge to his hooves but the creature grew even more erratic and yanked the stallion forward.
Oblivion felt the heat as it struck his wing and he couldn’t hold back the roar of pain that came from his throat. He could smell the burning flesh and feathers as the monster screamed and yanked him forward once more. He dug in his claws and was able to stop himself from being dragged. He tried to get his hooves under him but the creature's grip held firm. Geralt came up to his side as the stallion stopped his slide. The monster was still trying to drag him forward and Oblivion roared as his own strength was beginning to fail. He closed his eyes and prepared to tell Geralt to cut the wing away and kill the beast in the confusion. A surge of strength poured over him and he felt a familiar strength pour into him. His armor lunged over his body and slammed into place. He felt the decoctions in his system react as the armor boosted his abilities and made their effect stronger.
The Alicorn pulled back and his hooves gripped the ground as he got to his hooves. His body was on fire as he yanked the monster with a strength of his own and he roared as the pain faded away, leaving only a rage that he did not know he had deep within himself. At his side, Geralt had fallen back at the appearance of the armor, still holding both bloodied swords. The stallion's eyes blazed as the azure flame began to flow over his body, the armor glowed with its own silver light as the flames coursed over it. The stallion reared back, his undamaged wing began to beat. The wind from it beat against the monster until it finally fell and the stallion screamed as it dropped the mangled wing and the stallion looked over his shoulder to find Geralt already in motion. The two swords plunged into the monsters back and it roared as it got its feet, throwing Geralt off his feet with one flailing arm, tearing across his armor and exploding the shield that was in place. Oblivion had dropped to his hooves and now lunged forward, his horn ablaze with azure flame as he plunged the curved horn into the monster's unprotected chest.
Oblivion waited as the ProtoFleder stopped breathing and he allowed the body to drop from his horn and to the ground. The body crumpled and landed in a heap at the stallion's hooves. Oblivion breathed and a groan pulled from him as the mangled wing lay on the ground at his side. Geralt looked to the stallion and ran to the other side of him and gripped the torn wing as the stallion laid on his side. The Witchers both cringed at the wreckage of the wing on the ground. Oblivion dared not try to move it. What little of it that has been left unscathed from the dagger-like teeth had been burned beyond recognition by Igni’s flame. Geralt went back for Oblivions saddlebags and dropped them at the Alicorn’s side and began to go through them.
Oblivion stared down at the wing and he knew that it was most likely beyond saving. The appendage had been decimated by the creature’s teeth and the flames had destroyed the rest of the feathers and muscle. He wasn’t certain he could move it at all. Geralt pulled out the kit he had for wounds and also found other potions.
“Okay, so we need to remove the toxicity you already have before we add more to it.”
Oblivion looked at him and nodded in understanding. “I should have a few doses of Superior White Honey in there.” He replied.
Geralt nodded and was able to find them and pull them out. “Okay so if we want to try to heal that then we need to dose you a few times.” He had pulled out Superior Swallow while he was speaking as well. “Do you have a Troll Decoction in here as well?”
“I should.” He commented and was about to move to help find it when the pain came from the limb and he remained still.
“Don’t move. I’ll take care of it.” Geralt said to him and pushed a hand on Oblivions other wing.
The stallion nodded and waited as the other Witcher finally seemed to find everything he wanted. He stood up and knelt down in front of the Alicorn and held the White Honey potion in his hand. He uncorked it and Oblivion nodded to him and allowed him to pour the contents into his mouth and he swallowed it, then waited for it to take effect. Oblivion stiffened as the pain from the attack came back to him and he bowed his head to stop himself from screaming. Geralt reached under his head and yanked his head back up, pouring a decoction down the other's throat. Oblivion gagged but held it down and felt the pain being pushed aside once more. He then pulled another potion up and forced it past Oblivions sharp teeth. Oblivion hacked and coughed as the potion went down his throat and he could feel the potions mixing and beginning to work. The pain stopped and he looked at Geralt.
“What the hell was that last one?”
“I think it was a White Rafford.” He replied as he turned the bottle over in his hand.
“You think?”
“It’s not the same color as the one I have.” He replied.
“Please do not guess.” Oblivion requested.
“Is it helping?”
“Yes. The pain is gone. But my concern is if it is even possible to heal…this?” He said as he looked to the mangled wing at his side.
“I know. We will get it back. While we wait for those to work a bit more can you explain what this is?” He asked as he sat down and pointed to the silver armor the stallion wore.
“It’s an armor set that comes from the other world. I didn’t think it could work here since I do not have magic. It’s a part of a larger set that six others hold pieces for.” He replied.
“And the crown?”
Oblivion looked to the crown set behind his horn. He could see that it was splashed with blood from himself and the monster they had killed. “It’s a piece of it as well.”
“You look like a horse Prince.”
Oblivion snorted and a smile tugged at his mouth. “Funny.” He replied, his tone sarcastic.
“Anyway. Drink up!” He stuffed a swallow potion under his nose and Oblivion chugged it down as well, to join the others already flowing through him.
“Okay. Now to activate Quen and let it work.”
Oblivion activated Quen and the draw from him was immediate as agony tore over him and he cried out at the sudden pain. Geralt lunged forward and wrapped his arms around the stallion's neck, trying to hold him as still as possible. Geralt reached back and gripped another bottle of White Rafford, popped the lid, forced the stallions jaws open and poured it down his throat, then closed his jaws, forcing him to swallow the liquid. Oblivion pitched against the other Witcher but was unable to get to his hooves due to the pressure on his neck that was pushing him back and against the ground. Oblivion panted as the new potion hit him like a ton of bricks and he bucked against Geralt’s hold.
Geralt held onto the Alicorn and he could feel the stallion gathering himself to try to buck and he pushed harder against Oblivions chest and neck, desperate to keep him on the ground. Geralt closed his eyes as he restrained the Alicorn as best as he was able when his eyes opened the armor on Oblivions body was alight once more. He didn’t stop in his attempts to keep him still as the armor was once more covered in azure flames. The flames swirled over it and he looked up to find the wolf gem on the crown alight. It blazed with black and azure flame as it seemed to grow in power. He watched as it pulsed and the flames flowed down Oblivions head and over his body. He shifted his head to watch as the flames went over the mangled wing, then turned back and went to the joints that connected the wing to his body.
Oblivion screamed as they began to burn the wing joint and Geralt watched as the wing was being destroyed and Oblivion bucked against him. He planted his feet firmly and pushed with as much force as he had left, desperate to keep the stallion on the ground. Geralt looked away and saw that both wings were now aflame. The Witcher was stunned as he closed his eyes. ‘I’m sorry, Oblivion.’ He thought as he could smell the burning feather, flesh, and bone. The stallion screamed in agony and the Witcher held tightly to him. ‘Please, just pass out!’
Geralt felt Oblivion sag against him, the stallion was drained and had nothing left to fight with. He laid the Alicorn’s head on the ground gently and stayed at his head, running his hands along the stallion’s neck, trying to comfort him. Oblivion wheezed under his hand, sweat had darkened his fur, and in its place, he had begun to shake. The stallion’s body had nothing left to give as it laid still. Geralt watched as the Elder Witcher's eyes closed and he finally fell into unconsciousness. Geralt leaned back on his heels and sat down heavily. He looked up and found the wings to still be burning. He hacked at the constant smell, but he didn’t dare leave the Alicorn’s side. He laid a hand on Oblivion's neck and stroked his sweat-drenched fur.
“Stay with me, Oblivion. We still need to send you home.” He whispered.
The Witcher was silent as he watched the black Alicorn ensuring that he was still breathing. His own body was beginning to shiver due to the high toxicity in his body, but he dared not drink White Honey yet. His own body would be able to hold out until it no longer needed to. He looked down at Oblivion and wondered if the stallion had any idea what that many potions had done to his body. After the potions and decoctions had taken effect before the fight the stallion’s body had veins of silver over his fur. His body had looked the same as a Witcher who had high toxicity would have but it had spread all along his body. That was why he had paused and stared before the fight. He had never seen anything so widespread.
“Those extra Trials did a number on your body. It shows even now, so many years later.” Geralt spoke aloud, mostly to hear his own voice. “I remember asking Vesemir about it and he said that he was surprised you were still alive, you were never the biggest or strongest in that second group. When the Trials were done to you, the methods were pretty archaic, according to Vesemir. They took bets on which ones would survive, and your survival cost Vesemir a hundred crowns. But he said that afterward you had lost all memory of who you once were and even your name had been burned away.”
Geralt stood up and retrieved the two silver blades and wiped them free of blood and slid his own back to its place on his back. He walked back to Oblivion and slid the cleaned blade into its place on the Alicorn’s baldric. The Witcher looked back to the corpse and he walked back to it as he pulled a knife from his belt and skillfully cut the head off and then he threaded a rope through the creature’s skin and set it off to the side of the Alicorn. He went back to the stallions head and knelt down beside him.
Geralt’s hand laid on the stallion’s neck and he sat down heavily next to him. His body shuddered and he laid down, his head on Oblivions neck. He was still fighting back gagging from the persistent smell from the flames. He had not seen flames like those in his long life and he wondered where they had come from. Even as he considered where they could have come from his eyes began to close and he clenched his fist tightly to try to stay awake. He sat up but found his eyes still closing. He tried to stand but collapsed backward, his head landing on the ground. He shifted and his head laid on Oblivion's neck once more and his vision began to dim at the sides. Geralt’s last thought was that he hoped nothing came after them, they would both be killed where they had fallen.
Oblivions eyes fluttered open and he realized that he must have passed out at some point. His body felt heavy and he could hear breathing close to his ear. He raised his head to find Geralt passed out beside him, his head on his neck. He would have been angry until he saw the thick veining from the toxic decoctions along the other's face. They had darkened and Oblivion could see that he had overdone it and was passed out due to the inherent poison in them. The stallion tried to get his hooves folded under him but his body felt like it was weighted with pure iron. He laid in silence as his nose caught the scent of burned flesh caught his attention and he tried to look at his own body to see what had happened to it. Geralt’s spot on his neck prevented him from seeing past him. The last thing he remembered was the agony of something that happened along both of his wings. Geralt had been under his jaws and was forcing his head up. He recalled the sudden increase of the agony and the overwhelming scent of flesh burning and that was the last coherent thing he could recall.
“I still have my armor on. I can’t help but hope it will go back into its place when this is over.”
His voice was strained and he sounded hoarse as if he had been chewing gravel. His body still felt heavy and he waited a few minutes for his strength to begin to come back to him. As it did he became more aware that his body no longer hurt, just heavy. He snorted and looked to the Witcher on his neck. Geralt made no move to awaken and the stallion growled under his breath.
“Geralt.” He said aloud and waited. The young Witcher didn’t move and he grumbled. He considered simply getting up but decided that allowing Geralt’s head to crack into the ground was not only rude it was cruel. “Geralt!” He finally simply shouted at him and the other jerked and gasped as he sat up swiftly, a groan of pain tearing from him. “Drink some White Honey now,” Oblivion commanded.
Geralt looked at him and nodded, picking up the only remaining potion on the ground beside them. He chugged it down and waited as it took effect. Thirty seconds passed and the veining in his face and the brightening of his eyes faded and he was back to normal. He looked to the still laying down Alicorn and a sigh of relief escaped him.
“You’re okay?” He asked.
“I feel okay aside from my body feeling like it has been weighed down,” Oblivion admitted. “Dare I ask what happened?”
Geralt hesitated and then looked to the stallion. His eyes widened and he slowly motioned for the Alicorn to remain still as he slowly got to his feet. The Witcher moved out of the stallion’s sight line and Oblivion felt him brush against his shoulder.
“Your armor lit up and fire came from it and it covered your body and wings. I looked to that crown and the wolf gem lit up with a black and blue flame.”
“Black Flame? That’s a new one.” The stallion replied, his expression asking for more information.
“It went down your body and then went back to the joints that connect your wings to your body and began to burn them away.”
Oblivion jerked at the admission and he closed his eyes at the implication of the others words. He opened his eyes once more as Geralt had stopped speaking to wait for him. He nodded to him and waited as he went on.
“I stopped watching at that point and focused on keeping you from getting up. Last I saw they were still burning and I collapsed against you and that’s the last I recall.” Geralt informed him.
“I see. And now?” Oblivion asked, his voice hesitant.
“Can you get up?”
“I can try to.”
“Well close your eyes and get up. It will be easier to see that way.”
“Very well.”
Oblivion closed his eyes and waited as Geralt gripped thick hanks of his mane and began to pull as the stallion struggled to roll to his belly. His legs folded under him as he paused to get himself ready to push himself to his hooves. Geralt adjusted his grip and Oblivion unfolded his forelegs to pull himself up. He lunged forward and Geralt yanked hard on the thick silver mane. He got to his hooves. But staggered as vertigo rolled over him for a few moments.
“Oh no, you don’t. You’re not allowed to fall down again.” Geralt said aloud as he yanked harder to steady the Alicorn’s body in place.
“Okay. I’m up.” Oblivion reported to him and the young Witcher released his grip on the silver mane in his hands.
“Good. Okay. So go ahead and see what happened.”
Oblivions jaw clenched for a moment as his orange eyes opened and he hesitated before looking to his back. His eyes widened at the sight of both his wings healthy and dragging on the ground at his sides. They were both intact and the right, which had been so badly mangled, was now intact and appeared to have already recovered from the attack. He stared at it for a moment and a glint of color caught his attention and he spread his wings. He looked surprised at the silver gradient that now covered his feathers from tip to stock. The silver blended into the solid black of his coat easily and appeared as if it had always been that way. The Alicorn stared at it and then looked to Geralt who looked as uncertain as he was.
“I assume that is new?” Geralt asked.
“Very. They did not have that before. While I am not unhappy about the full recovery of the wing I am wondering about this addition. You said that they were being burned?”
“Yes. The flames attacked the joint and went down from there.” Geralt clarified at the mystified look from the stallion.
Oblivion was quiet as he looked at the wings that laid with much of their length on the ground and he raised them up and over his head. The joints were stiff and the muscles seemed to groan under the request from him. He watched and his eyes widened at the sight that they had not only gained a gradient color but they had grown in size as well. The Alicorn looked from one tip the other and they had gained close to eight feet in length, giving him just over a twenty-four-foot wingspan. The muscles were stiff and a small amount of pain came from them as he began to beat them slowly, allowing his body to get used to the larger wings and allowing his wings to stretch out as well. Geralt was quiet as the stallion tended to the wings.
“Did they get bigger?” He finally asked after a few minutes of watching the wings beat slowly in place.
“Yes. They gained about four feet on each side. The joints are a bit stiff and the muscles are sore but nothing that cannot be worked out in time.” He replied and folded the newly remade wings at his sides.
“I’m glad they were not destroyed but are you going to be okay?”
“I will be fine. Now to find a way to get the armor to return to its normal place.”
“Which is?”
“It normally surrounds my medallion and rests there.” Oblivion replied and looked to the medallion that sat around his neck.
“How do we get it to go back?” Geralt asked and flicked the medallion with one finger.
“I have no idea.” He admitted and snorted. “I did not think it would work at all without magic. So I actually am not sure why it acted the way it has.”
“Could it be the weight your feeling?”
“No. That’s fading the longer I’m up and moving.” He replied to the other's question. “So I would assume that it will continue to fade as we get out of here.”
“Agreed. Though this time I think we should walk.” The stallion nodded as the other went on. “Let us get out of here. That corpse is starting to smell worse by the moment.”
Geralt nodded, picked up the monsters head and slid it over the hilt of the stallion steel blade to carry back, and stepped up to walk at Oblivion's shoulder. Geralt picked up Oblivions saddlebags and slid them into place on the stallion’s barrel and then made sure they were sitting properly to avoid hurting the Alicorn’s skin. The stallion shook himself and began to walk forward. The black Alicorn was quiet as they began to pick their way away from the clearing, searching for the main road. Geralt placed a steadying hand on Oblivions shoulder and the stallion looked to make sure that he was doing all right, despite both of them beginning to feel exhaustion creeping upon them. They reached the road and both of them breathed in relief at the even terrain, making it easier to travel. The darkness made it easy for Oblivion to remain unnoticed. His wings remained tight against his sides as they walked easily along the dirt road. Oblivion glanced to his armor and it remained sitting easily in place, adding next to no weight to his tired body.
“So how are you going to hide those wings now?” Geralt asked.
“Carefully. In the other world, I use an item I enchanted to hide them. I enchanted a tie for my hair and that hides them and makes them impossible to see or feel. I may have to adjust it due to their new size.” He replied.
“Magic, huh?” Geralt said to him.
“Yes. Imagine my surprise when I realized that I had magic at all.”
“Truly. The one Witcher that curses about magic the most.”
Oblivion chuckled at the comment. “True enough. I still curse it often enough. But it has its place.”
“Especially if you are the one who monitors the world. Must be a needed skill.”
“I do wonder what it would be like without it, but then I recall that I control the Spirit of that world. So magic is a part of it, the way I see it.”
“I would think so.” Geralt went quiet for a moment as they walked. “Do you regret taking that contract?”
“The last one?” Geralt nodded and he considered the question for a moment before replying. “There are times yes. But in a way, I think it is how it must be. In this world, I was always more of an outcast and remained out of sight. Traveling with you the last time was the most time I had spent in a city in years. I always knew that I would fall one day and that thought never concerned me. I always thought of it as something that would happen when it was needed. Death is a mistress we all court as we go through our lives, a Witcher even more so than most. So I was never afraid of the inevitable.”
“That’s one way of looking at it.” Geralt replied to him.
“Not the most popular way, truly.” Oblivion admitted and Geralt gave a silent nod to his words. “But in a way, it helped to keep me sane at the same time. I made sure to live my life as I went through it versus praying to avoid death. I never looked back at my past and tried not to second guess any of my past choices.”
Geralt nodded again and they fell into silence once more. Oblivion stayed quiet as they walked and as time went on his body began to recover more of its strength and he looked to the breast collar around his chest and shoulders as it glinted through the blood and dirt. The silver armor began to shudder and the stallion stopped as it moved over him. Geralt stopped at his side as his armor slid over his body and slowly rejoined its normal place on his medallion. The armor vanished once more and he glanced at Geralt who was staring at the medallion that was now rimmed by silver.
“That’s what you meant.” He said aloud and shook his head in disbelief.
“I told you what would happen.” He replied, a slight grin on his muzzle.
“You did yes. But that does not mean I would have believed it. Come let’s get back to Corvo Bianco and get you sent back where you belong.” Geralt said and clapped the stallion's shoulder and began to walk ahead.
Oblivion nodded and trotted a few steps to catch up with the other Witcher. He glanced back and his eyes fell on the repaired right wing and he elevated the wing slightly from his side to see the solid silver that now dominated the visible long feathers. His eyes roved over the appendage and he replaced it at his side and drew up shoulder to shoulder with Geralt and walked with him. He knew that this was the last hunt they would have together and a part of him mourned that loss. It would be the last time he would be in this world and the thought dragged against him and he nearly slowed down to draw out his time on the Continent.
But at the same time, his place in Equestria reminded him that they were now without him. The Apple family that called him a grandson and brother. The foals that loved his stories and looked to see him in the mornings when he took Apple Bloom to school. The mares that called him their friend and comrade. Twilight who was as new to friendship as he was and her love of learning and books. Spike and his fear of him at first but now he called out to the stallion as well. Applejack who had been the first to reach out a hoof to him, opening her heart and home to a stranger and then calling his family. Rainbow Dash who grated on his nerves with her boasting but he knew that he could call on her and she would answer within moments, no matter the call. Pinkie Pie, who had the confidence to stand out and call out to a stallion that did not understand her exuberance. Rarity, who gave of herself no matter the need of another and asked for nothing in reply. Fluttershy, who reminded him to take things slowly and wait for the time to show his courage. The mares were only six that showed him that life was more than the next contract. The longer he was away the more his heart yearned to return to them, even though he would never admit it if asked. Emotions were minimal with him but he could understand them and he could feel something, though only at a fraction of the others.
He stopped and looked to the world around him and he heard Geralt’s boots halt on the dirt road ahead of him. The Alicorn breathed in the scent of the world around him and exhaled after a moment of holding his breath. His eyes closed as he listened to the world of the night and his mind drifted to Luna and Celestia. The two royals that also extended a hoof to him despite his obvious training. He understood Luna easier than most. Her isolation spoke to him as he understood it and had lived that same isolation.
Celestia, he understood as well. Her choice to fight her sister was a decision he could understand. A Witcher that he had been raised around had begun to fall to corruption when they were fairly new to the Path. He chose to take money for the lives of people versus monsters. Becoming nothing more than an assassin. Oblivion had come to hear of it through an older Witcher who had only barely escaped his blade. He then hunted the other Witcher and was forced to put him down. A man who had been a brother to him through their training had fallen to his blade. He did not allow himself to forget that day. Nor did he forget the anger and pain that came from the action of killing him. Oblivion made sure he never fell to the same temptations that had taken his brother Witcher. He then made sure that none of the remaining Witchers fell to that state. While the act of killing his brother was not what Celestia had done, he still remembered the pain from it.
“Oblivion?” Geralt called to him after he had still for several minutes, lost in thought.
“Yes? Sorry. Was lost in thought.” He replied and walked forward to rejoin him.
“Must have quite a few thoughts.”
“Admittedly yes. But it’s nothing. Let’s go.” He said and stayed at Geralt’s side as they walked forward once more.
“Will you be all right?”
“How do you mean?”
“I mean going back?”
Oblivion glanced to him. “I’ll be fine. I’ll make sure of it before I rejoin them.”
“That’s not really what I meant.”
“Oh?”
“Yes. Will they accept you once more?”
Oblivion chuckled and nodded. “It’s in their nature. They are creatures that forgive in moments and never hold a grudge. I have no doubt that I will be seen and my return celebrated among those who are close to me.” He replied.
“You hate parties though.” Geralt laughed.
“True. I might allow them to throw one this time. I have learned that sometimes the party is not for the one that has their name on the banner.” Geralt looked to him, his gaze uncertain. “It is for those who were left behind.”
“I see.”
Oblivion was quiet as Geralt stumbled and grumbled as he got his feet back under him. The Alicorn stopped and waited as the younger Witcher regained his footing. “Come.” Oblivion knelt down and pointed his horn to his back as he looked at the other Witcher. “You watched over me, least I can do is get you home.”
Geralt’s eyes widened and he finally nodded after a few seconds of hesitation. He vaulted to the stallions back and settled his legs under the broad wings and patted oblivions neck in thanks. “Thank you.”
“Of course.” Oblivion walked forward after ensuring that the other was situated in place.
The black Alicorn was quiet as he once more walked forward. Geralt sat in silence, his hand still on the stallion’s neck. Oblivion could sense that Geralt was on edge about something but he chose not to pry. His place was not to pry into the other's state of mind. If he wished to speak of it then he would lend an ear. For now, they were silent, a silence that they both felt and were able to understand what was under it the silence, a growing sense of loss and grief that was advancing on them all. Oblivion knew that the time that he would have to say goodbye for the final time was growing near and he as not looking forward to the loss that was encroaching on his mind.
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Oh he knows the balcony
I'm getting the feeling that Oblivion and the Duchess had a very intimate relationship.
I'm listening to your head will be mine by jt machinima fitting since it's about the game.
Forgot the apostrophe one I'll
9412866
Perhaps.
9412889
LOL I had to look that up! Perfect!
9414236
Yeah it's a great song
Probably would have worked better for him if he had worded it as more like "By accepting a different path you accepted other duties and responsibilities that all rely on your safety. Those cannot afford you risking your life on a contract." or something.
Geralt, young?
10153450 Compared to Oblivion, he is young.
I can't help but think it would have been interesting if Geralt had mentioned the time he ended up in the world of Monster Hunter while he was hunting a leshen.
10400134
Now I think of that. Lol. That would have been good though.