(I just discovered the game Expedition 33, the music is simply incredible!
Anyway, don't forget to leave little comments and enjoy reading!)
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Aiden POV
I woke up abruptly in a strange landscape, bathed in a blood-red glow. All around me, corpses littered the ground children and elders alike frozen in postures of agony. Yet, despite the horror of the scene, I felt nothing. No fear. No sadness. Just a chilling emptiness.
I walked through silent streets, slowly recognizing the devastated outlines of Beauclair. The bodies were left to the fangs of vampires who, strangely enough, didn't seem to notice me. I was like a specter, wandering through this frozen nightmare.
My steps carried me aimlessly to a vast plain. There, the army of Toussaint had been slaughtered. In the center of the carnage, mounted on wooden stakes, stood the heads of Syanna, Regis, and Anna Henrietta. Their empty gazes seemed devoid of life and hope. Sitting on a throne made of bones and debris, a higher vampire surveyed the scene with a satisfied look.
"Why don't I feel anything?" I murmured. "And where am I?"
A soft light suddenly burst beside me. A luminous, indistinct figure appeared. The being approached silently and stopped calmly.
"Strange dream, isn't it?" it said with a serene voice.
I stared at it, tense.
"Who are you?" I asked.
The luminous being gave a smile that was almost melancholic.
"Me? For now, you're not ready to know my identity. Just know that we were supposed to meet later… but I chose to move the moment forward."
It took a few steps across the devastated plain, leaving no trace behind.
"As for where you are… this is your mind. Your body is recovering, being cared for in Regis's lair. Your friend Syanna hasn't left your side. She's waiting for you to wake up, with a patience and worry that reminded me of many memories."
It stopped, facing the carnage.
"What you see here is one of many possible futures. A future that will happen if you choose to remain a spectator."
I felt my breath catch.
"But… if I intervene, can I save everyone?" I asked.
The figure slowly shook its head.
"No, not necessarily. Even by acting, there are many paths, and not all lead to victory. There is one path where you can prevail… but you'll have to find it yourself."
Reality began to flicker around me. I felt an invisible force trying to pull me back.
The luminous being approached one last time, its unseen eyes seeming to pierce through my soul.
"It's time for you to wake up, Aquila. But remember this: will you accept the sacrifices? Or will you let despair consume you?"
Before I could answer, the light enveloped me. The dream faded in a whisper.
Left alone in the glowing plain, the luminous being remained still, silently watching my disappearance, its gaze filled with infinite tenderness like a … watching their … drift away.
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POV Luminous Being???
I remained there, silent, watching my ... finally awaken. A slight, sorrowful smile crossed my face as I slowly shook my head. I knew I shouldn't have come to him. But how could I stay away? He is my ..., and despite time, despite distance, I had to see him. Just once. If only for me... and for ...
Suddenly, Hísië appeared in the flickering light, his steps silent on this unreal ground. He looked at me without anger, only with that strange gentleness that had become so natural to him now.
"So, you couldn't resist, A....." he murmured calmly.
I turned my gaze toward him, unable to hide my own emotions, and replied:
"Sorry, Hísië. No, I couldn't. You know as well as I do that the first trial of my ... is about to begin, as Aquila. I couldn't help myself I didn't want to stay away from him."
Hísië approached, his expression marked by a familiar sadness, the kind only those who have lost everything can truly understand.
"I understand," he said softly. "Even though he is not my ..., I too feel compassion for him. Because, unlike the one I once was, he has become what I always dreamed of being."
A slight, almost imperceptible laugh escaped my lips.
"Indeed... Same for me. He has that strength I never managed to reach to defend my convictions. And he has that purity of soul you once lacked to protect those you loved."
I felt my figure slowly beginning to fade, called elsewhere. Before disappearing completely, I turned one last time toward Hísië and said calmly:
"Yet, old friend, I trust him. I, his ..., and his ...., we trust him. After all, we are his .... We will always protect him, even in death. We will stand by his side when he falters, when pain tries to consume him. For that is our responsibility... and our promise."
Then, in a burst of light, I vanished, leaving Hísië alone with his thoughts, while the soft wind seemed to whisper memories that even time could not erase.
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POV Aiden
I woke up suddenly, gasping for air. Before I could even understand what was happening, someone threw themselves onto me, hugging me so tightly I could barely breathe.
I caught her scent Scarlet Night, the perfume Syanna always wore.
Half-dazed, I murmured:
"Syanna, is that you?"
She didn't answer. She just kept holding me, as if letting go would mean losing me forever.
The door creaked open gently, and Regis appeared. A faint smile crossed his face when he saw us.
"Sorry to interrupt," he said calmly. "When you're ready, come find me. We have a lot to discuss."
He closed the door quietly behind him, leaving us alone.
A heavy silence fell. I felt warm drops sliding onto my shoulder. Syanna was crying.
Gently, I ran a hand through her silky hair.
"You shouldn't have come," I whispered. "It was too dangerous for you. Just talk to me... tell me where you went."
Syanna lifted her head slightly but immediately turned away so I wouldn't see her tears. She grabbed a towel, wiped her face quickly, then turned back to me. Her reddened eyes betrayed her.
"That's not important right now," she murmured in a broken voice. "We need to find Regis."
Without giving me another glance, she rushed out of the room, almost like she was running from her own emotions.
I smiled faintly. Still so proud, even at her worst. But just as I started to sit up, she came back, tossed a T-shirt at my face, and muttered under her breath:
"Asshole…"
Before storming out again without waiting for my reaction.
I chuckled softly, pulled on the shirt, and joined Regis and Syanna, who were waiting for me at the table. Syanna sat with her arms crossed, tense, and I took a seat across from them.
"So," I said, "what's the plan?"
Regis took a sip of his blood wine before calmly answering:
"You've been asleep for a few days. Today's the day of the festival. We have barely fourteen hours left to try and gain Anna Henrietta's help."
At those words, Syanna snorted with disdain.
"Her? She'd rather protect her damn crown than her people. Just like she betrayed me back then."
Regis let out a small chuckle.
"The cursed sister still breathing fire... Maybe she's changed. She lost her husband, she has no heir, and perhaps... perhaps she has regrets."
Syanna muttered under her breath:
"Bullshit."
I raised my hand to ease the tension:
"Let's stay focused. What's the plan, Regis? Because honestly, I'm running out of ideas. I killed one of the four higher vampires, but there are still three left... not to mention their master and the army following them."
Regis set his glass down, his expression serious.
"The three of us can't possibly win. There's only one chance: convince Anna Henrietta of the truth, even without proof. If she believes us, she can mobilize her soldiers. With the ingredients I gathered, I can forge silver weapons and make bombs against vampires. But everything depends on her."
A heavy silence hung between us. Each of us was deep in thought until Syanna broke it:
"I'll handle it."
I looked at her, surprised.
"Are you sure? You don't have to force yourself."
Syanna took a deep breath, visibly nervous. But her gaze hardened with determination.
"Yes. I have to. For many reasons... even though I hate Toussaint, even though I hate the ones who rejected me." She clenched her fists, fighting back her anger, then her voice softened, almost melancholic: "But no matter what, I'm still a princess of this land. Thanks to you, Aiden, I realized I was never a curse. So even if I still hate them... I want to protect them."
I smiled softly and placed my hand over hers. She hesitated for a second, then squeezed it back, as if drawing strength from it.
"I'll show them that Syanna isn't dead," she whispered, her eyes shining with emotion. "That Syanna survived their hatred, and she's still here to protect her people."
Regis nodded, pleased.
"Good. Syanna, Aiden, you'll go together to meet the duchess. Meanwhile, I'll prepare everything we need here."
I stood up, strapped my sword across my back, and made my way to Ganon, my loyal horse, who was already saddled. Syanna was crouched beside him, gently stroking his mane.
Just as I was about to mount, Regis placed a friendly hand on my shoulder.
"Take care of her, alright?"
I smiled and simply answered:
"Don't worry. One of the lessons Geralt taught me is that I'll always protect the ones I love."
Without another word, Syanna climbed up behind me on Ganon, and together, we set off for Beauclair, where our fate awaited us.
The road to Beauclair was close. Ganon walked at a steady pace, a heavy silence hanging between Syanna and me. She stayed quiet behind me, but I could feel her occasional hesitation, a slight touch when she sought her balance.
I said nothing. Sometimes, just being there was enough…
The wind tossed her hair, letting a few strands brush against my shoulder. Every breath, every small movement betrayed the nervousness she was trying to hide.
As we got closer to the castle, I felt her grip tighten briefly on my jacket before letting go. Slowly, she was calming herself.
I kept going without a word, giving her the space she needed...
Beauclair loomed on the horizon. Without saying anything, Syanna straightened up slightly, her eyes locked on our destination.
She was ready…
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POV Regis
I watched Aiden and Syanna ride off on Ganon, their figures slowly blending into the landscape as they headed toward Beauclair.The fate of Toussaint... and perhaps the entire world, would soon be decided.
Returning to the cool, silent crypt, I absently brushed my fingers over my wedding ring, that simple silver circle tied to so many memories.Saphire... my one true love... murdered by the very one whose legacy I now carry against my will.
I murmured softly:"In honor of our friendship, Dettlaff... I will bring you back into the light. And for you, Geralt, I will protect Aiden... even if it costs me my life."
A faint smile touched my lips, more sorrowful than joyful."After all... it falls to our generation to pass the torch to those who come after us."
Silence fell once more, heavy but peaceful, as I turned away to prepare the supplies.War was coming.And I, a mere relic of a bygone era, was about to play my final card.