"I know it sounds insane. But think about it. The weapons we use, the technology we have, the way we fight—it's nothing like what you have in this world. You've seen me do things that shouldn't be possible, even with magic. Do you really think all of that just came from some hidden corner of this world?" Liam said.
"Even if we entertain this ridiculous idea, you're saying that you—what? Want to take us to this other world of yours? That's your 'safe haven'?" Keira asked.
"I am not asking you to live there. I am saying that you can have your freedom and nobody will bother you. In fact, if you show your powers, people will even cheer for you. And besides, if you do live in our world, there will be some laws which you will have to follow." Liam said. "Our world isn't perfect, but it has order, law, and protection. No witch hunters, no kings waging wars over magic. You wouldn't have to hide or run anymore."
"We can take the final decision after we reach Kaer Morhen." Triss finally proposed the idea.
"Fine by me. I'm not jumping into another world without knowing what I'm getting into." Keira said.
"That's fair. Kaer Morhen it is." Liam nodded.
"I'll be heading there too. Need to restock some of my potions and supplies before continuing to Skellige." Geralt, who had been silent for a while, finally spoke up.
"To meet Yennefer, I assume?" Natasha asked, a knowing smirk playing on her lips.
"Then it's settled. We move at first light." Steve clapped his hands together.
"No. We need to leave before first light. The witch hunters are going to be more radical than ever after tonight. We just humiliated them in their own city. They're going to be out for blood." Liam said.
"Lovely. That means we'll have to take the long way out, doesn't it?" Keira said.
"Yes. There's a hidden path out of the city—an old smuggler's route. It'll take us to the open lands without attracting too much attention." Triss knew the ins and outs of the city quite well.
Liam checked his drones, ensuring there were no unexpected movements near their hideout. For now, they were safe.
"Then get some rest," he said. "We leave before dawn."
The next morning, long before the sun peeked over the horizon, the group slipped out of the hideout. Triss led the way through the back alleys of Novigrad, avoiding the main roads where patrols were bound to be heavier. Every now and then, Liam's drones scouted ahead, ensuring the path remained clear.
They reached an old warehouse near the city's outer wall. Beneath it, hidden under wooden planks and crates, was a tunnel entrance—one of the many smuggling routes used by merchants and criminals alike. The passage was dark, damp, and smelled of stale water, but it was their safest option.
Soon, they reached the end of the tunnel. A heavy wooden door led outside to the open lands. Liam went first, scanning the area with his helmet's sensors.
"Clear," he muttered,
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The journey to Kaer Morhen was long and grueling. They traveled across rolling plains and abandoned villages too. It was summer so there was no snow as of yet and that itself was a boon, since it winter it was very different scenario around. Along the way, they kept a low profile, avoiding any unnecessary encounters.
Despite the challenges, the group moved swiftly, their pace set by Geralt and Liam, who scouted ahead with drones and witcher senses. After days of travel, they finally reached the base of the Blue Mountains, where the winding, treacherous path to Kaer Morhen began.
But then both Liam and Geralt stopped, Gerlt smelled the air while red dots popped up on the drones that had been flying ahead. Soon rows upon rows of soldiers clad in the colors of Redania poured down the hills. They came in numbers that dwarfed anything the group had faced before—at least two thousand men. A massive war banner bearing Radovid's sigil fluttered in the wind.
At the center of it all, flanked by mounted knights, was the King of Redania himself—Radovid V, the Stern. Beside him, sitting atop his own horse, was a man that made Geralt's expression harden with quiet rage—Sigismund Dijkstra.
"Shit," Geralt muttered under his breath.
The betrayal was clear. Dijkstra had led them into a trap. The man who had once conspired with Geralt for Temeria's restoration had sold them out to Radovid, likely in exchange for power and his old position.
"You are one big asshole, Djikstra." Triss gritted her teeth as she said that. Djikstra had always been a questionable man due to his ambitions, but they didn't expect that he would be the one to betray them.
He must have figured it out that they were leaving for Kaer Morhen once Triss didn't get on the ship. Liam was also a bit take aback by the army. Djikstra's story by the end was different, depending upon the choices.
Now it seemed Liam's interfernce had finally led to changes. Which wasn't that surprising, and besides he never liked this fat man to begin with.
"What can I say? I am a charmer." Djikstra smirked as he said that, while folding his hands.
"Well.. Well.. I didn't expect the infamous Keira Metz to be here. Temeria would be very happy to know that their lost sorcerer is back at their kingdom." It was Radovid, flanked by knights that came forward and spoke.
Keira was ready to give this man a verbal lashing but was stopped by Liam who stepped forward, and stepped down from his horse. Radovid knew three of the people here and was also informed by Djikstra that Geralt had made new friends who possessed very unique magical weapons.
At first he didn't believe the words of Djikstra, of the magical weapons that seemed to come out of nowhere. But then the reports came about the witch hunters and then he started to believe the person who he had just imprisoned since this guy had betrayed him once.
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