Callum and I stood at the foot of the winding path that led to the Forge, in the hidden heart of the ancient mountain. The snow had stopped falling, but only very little had stuck to the ground. Winter was ending and spring was coming to Kaer Morhen soon.
"No weapons or potions, not even a damn coat. damn it's." Callum said.
I nodded, stepping forward. "This is just like when Coen trained us for a week. So this should be easy compared to that.
Callum chuckled. "Don't lent Coen hear you saying that, or he will kick our asses."
Vesemir had set the boy's off and wished them well on their trial. Telling them to remember their training. Geralt and Coen wish them both luck as well. Geralt telling Cain not to be a show off and, remember when spilling blood isn't necessary.
Callum and I ran head first into the pond. We jump in and swam like the cold didn't bother us. As we made it half way to the other side, we noticed them.
"Drowners" Callum said.
I gestured to him that we swim quietly to the far sides of the other ends and pincer attack them. Callum nodded.
As we swam up both on different sides of the drowners. There were three of them.
Perfect. I snuck up to them, and as I was about to be noticed I launched a powerful stream of fire with the Igni sign.
Callum came from the other side doing the same. The drowners gargled and screamed from the fire. but all three dropped to the ground in minutes.
"Man these guys stink."
I only nodded. Their taken care of so let's go."
We managed to navigate our way through the caves, and avoiding Old Speartip. Mostly cause he was sleeping. After we exited the cave we saw the treacherous peak Vesemir talked about. I was high but we marched in silence. No more hostiles came our way.
As we reached the summit, the trail narrowed quickly into broken stairs carved into the cliffs. They winded down into a narrow canyon choked with mist. Every breath we took steamed in the freezing air, but there was a pulse in the air itself.
We walked in silence, the world narrowing to the sound of our boots crunching against the path. As the cavern mouth loomed ahead, the mountain seemed to shift…
Then came a growl.
It wasn't natural a one.
It echoed through the Forge's entrance, a guttural, scraping sound, as if stone were being chewed from the inside out.
From the shadows emerged a creature. It was Thin, gaunt and hunched. It was small humanoid covered in bones and tattered hides. It's skin was a sickly gray-green. A bone totem staff carved with runes was in its hand.
[Error]
[Error]
[Emergency Void Quest Triggered: Void Invaders]
Objective: Defeat Invaders from the Void.
Rewards: 1 Mythical Equipment Chest. +1 Ability point.
My golden eyes flared as the System Interface flared open mid-stride. What they hell is going on here. That looks like a goblin. Why is it here and what does it feel wrong. I was getting ready to grab my Hunter's Edge from my inventory just in case. I just don't know how I would explain this to Callum.
"Cain you see what I see right?" Callum said his eyes locked on Goblin.
"I looks like some sort of sick Goblin, but I don't know why it looks like that."
A flood of system notifications hit me in succession. I grunted in pain from the overload of information. As I held my head in pain and kneeled over I heard a voice.
[Error]
[Error]
[Error]
[Error]
"What are you doing Cain look out?"
Next thing I noticed, I'm being shoved to the side, and Callum is being sent back flying.
"Callum!"
He hit the wall of the forge and laid on the ground. Next thing I know my pain head started disappearing and my mind was calm again.
[System update: Ability Cold Blooded is taking effect]
I see Cold Blooded is working. Okay good now I can think straight. I need to access this situation quickly. First I checked on Callum. He was breathing, just knocked out from the hit.
I looked around the decent sized forge. No other goblins in the area from what I could tell, and from the look of the Goblin in front of me. He must be a Goblin Shaman, okay I know how to deal with his kind. The real problem is that tiny portal behind the goblin.
Right now I need to focus on one problem at a time. I accessed the system and equipped several pieces of equipment. (Hunters Edge, Griffin School Ring and, Bracers).
Okay the gear appeared on my body, saving me precious time. The Goblin Shaman launched attacks at me. I grabbed Callum and dodged the attack. I placed him outside the Forge on the steps.
Hopefully their aren't any other goblins around. I then casted Quen on myself and ran back into the forge. The shaman tried to cast what looked like hexes on me. I threw my knife, it landed in its throat.
Nice critical hit. then in a panic the trying to keep itself from losing blood, it casted another spell. It shot fire at me but I ran through the fire. My Quen shield held up fine, I then casted Aard sending the shaman flying back to the tree that held all the Witcher school medallions.
It hit the tree with a loud thud. Right as it tried to get up the hunter edge still lodged in its throat. blackish red ichor blood dripping from its neck. It looked like it was trying to beg for mercy. But I new from watching and reading dark fantasy to never trust a begging monster, especially a goblin.
I then kicked my foot into the knife, holding it down as the goblin struggling in pain. It gurgled and cried in pain. But I stood over the goblin. My golden yellow cat slit eyes just staring down at it.
"You hurt my friend, so this is your punishment."
Moments later the goblin shaman died. I then grabbed my knife from its throat and wiped the blood from it. Then grabbed to Witcher school medallions from the tree. I sat near the place of power and meditated. after a few minutes I received multiple system notifications.
Quests Complete: [Emergency Void Quest: Void Invaders]
Objective: Defeat Invaders from the Void.
Rewards: 1 Mythical Equipment Chest. +1 Ability point.
[To the Forge]
Objective: Make your way to the Circle of Elements Forge, and activate your medallion
Reward: +2 Ability Point. 1 Epic Equipment Chest.
[To be a Witcher] Objective: Survive the three Trials.
Reward: Class: Witcher (Wolf School): 2% increase to all attacks against monsters. 1% increase in defense against monster attacks. +1 Ability Point. 1 Epic Equipment Chest.
I placed the Wolf School medallion on my neck. Then I looked at the portal by the forge. As I stepped closer to it the medallion vibrated intensely. I placed my to it then another notification appeared from the system.
[Emergency Void Quest: Void Invaders Part 2] Objective: Enter the void and defend it from the invaders for 10 minutes. Rewards: Depends on how many monsters are slain. Failure: The world will be invaded by the void.
I sighed. If it wasn't for Cold Blooded I would be nervous as hell trying to figure out everything. I take it I probably have to kill A bunch of goblin on the other side. Well let's get this over with.
I placed my hand to the portal.
[Warning]: To access this Quest Elder Blood must be fully awakened.
Oh this changes things. Now that I think about it, killing that goblin was to easy. I'm glad the system reminded me.
I then opened my system interface and put five ability points to my Elder blood.
System Notification: Elder Blood awakened.(Novice)
Effect: You affinity to magic has been unlocked your spells will be strengthen. Affinity for magic has increased.
Bonus: You will be able to access other worlds to through void fractures and travel to different worlds. You will be able to teleport freely between worlds with higher proficiency.
[New Skill Acquired - Warp]
Effect: You will be able to to teleport 6 feet from any location you are in.
System Notification :Sign (Magic)- Update
Aard – Level 3→ Level 4
Igni – Level 4
Yrden – Level 3 → Level 4
Quen –Level 3→ Level 4
Axii – Level 3→ Level 4
Heliotrope – Level 2 → Level 4
Nice. Elder Blood really gave me a boost. I should increase my stats just incase.
Strength: 20 →25
Dexterity: 23 →25
Constitution: 22 →25
Intelligence: 19 →24
Wisdom: 19 →24
Charisma: 18
Luck:??
Stat Points: 16→ 0
Ability Points: 2
I felt my body radiate with power, as my mind became clearer and sharper. It felt like the fatigue from the Trial of Mountains never existed. I should up grade my Minds Eye skill just incase.
[System update: Mind's Eye level 2: (Passive – Basic):You gain bonus Codex Insight and reaction time when spotting enemy weaknesses in real-time.+5% chance to exploit enemy vulnerability during battle.
Bonus: Time will slow slightly as weakness appear on target's body. Reaction time increases by +2%.
Nice. With this I should be able to stand a chance against the goblins or at least not got my self killed to quickly. If these things are anything like the goblins I read from dark fantasy. Fighting them in groups will be a problem, especially if I'm in a dark cave. I should be fine since the dark won't effect me as much.
Time to equip my gear, it should give me a advantage. Cat school Gear set Equipped: Tunic, Trousers, Boots. Elven Moon shadow Blade equipped.
I then drank the Minor Potions of: Stamina, Strength, Swiftness, Fire Resistance, and Focus.
Okay I know I believe I'm ready for what might be beyond the void portal. I gazed back at Callum still unconscious on the ground.
"Wish me luck brother."
I then placed my hand on the portal. A system notification ping:
[Emergency Void Quest: Void Invaders Part 2] : Has been initiated. Your now being transported into the void.
I then disappeared into the bright light.