The days that followed were grueling, a blend of uncertainty and danger as Alina and Geralt ventured deeper into the Continent, seeking answers about her mysterious arrival. The visions from Ithlinne weighed heavily on Alina's mind, each step feeling like another thread pulled taut in the fabric of fate.
They traveled east, toward Oxenfurt. Geralt had decided to consult Yennefer, whose knowledge of magic and the arcane made her their best chance at understanding Alina's strange connection to this world. Alina, however, was less certain. She had heard enough about Yennefer—both from Geralt and the stories in her world—to know the sorceress would not be easily swayed into helping a stranger.
The road was not kind. The rain came in heavy sheets, soaking them to the bone as they trekked through the muddy trails. Alina's body ached from the constant travel, but Geralt's pace never faltered, and she refused to let herself complain. She had made progress since her first days here; her stamina had improved, and though she was far from a skilled fighter, she could at least wield her dagger without fumbling.
One stormy evening, as they set up camp beneath a craggy outcrop, Alina found herself staring into the fire while Geralt sharpened his sword nearby. The flames crackled softly, the sound oddly comforting against the howling wind.
"Do you think Yennefer will help me?" Alina asked, breaking the silence.
Geralt paused, his whetstone hovering mid-motion. "Yennefer... isn't easy to convince." he admitted. "But if anyone can figure out what's happening to you, it's her."
Alina bit her lip. "What if she can't? What if there's no way for me to go back?"
Geralt resumed sharpening his sword. "Then you adapt. That's what we all do in this world."
The simplicity of his answer frustrated her. "That's easy for you to say. You belong here. You've spent your whole life dealing with monsters and magic. I'm just a nobody who—" She stopped, the lump in her throat making it hard to continue.
"You're not a nobody." Geralt said, his voice firm. "You're still here. You're learning, surviving. That's more than most people manage."
The words caught Alina off guard, and she found herself blinking back tears. She didn't want to admit it, but his gruff reassurances meant more to her than she cared to admit.
The next morning, they reached the outskirts of Oxenfurt, the sprawling city bustling with life despite the ever-present threat of war and monsters. Alina was struck by its beauty—the red-roofed buildings, the cobblestone streets, and the towering spires of the university that loomed over the skyline. It was a stark contrast to the grim villages they had passed through, and for a moment, she felt a flicker of hope.
They made their way to an inn near the university, where Geralt arranged for a private meeting with Yennefer. Alina couldn't stop fidgeting as they waited in the dimly lit room. When the door finally opened, and Yennefer stepped in, her presence was as commanding as Alina had imagined. The sorceress was dressed in her signature black and white, her violet eyes sharp and assessing.
"So." Yennefer said, her gaze sweeping over Alina before landing on Geralt. "This is the one you've been talking about?"
"She's the one." Geralt confirmed, his tone neutral.
Yennefer crossed her arms, her expression unreadable. "You weren't exaggerating. She doesn't belong here."
Alina bristled at the comment but held her tongue. There was an undeniable weight in Yennefer's presence that made her feel like a child out of her depth.
"You said you felt a disturbance when she arrived." Geralt prompted.
Yennefer nodded, her gaze narrowing. "It was like a tear in the fabric of reality. It's rare, but not unheard of. Someone—or something—must have pulled her here. The question is why."
"Do you think you can figure it out?" Alina asked, her voice quieter than she intended.
Yennefer studied her for a long moment. "Possibly. But it won't be simple. Magic like this leaves traces, echoes. If we're lucky, I might be able to track them. But it will require time, and your cooperation."
"Whatever it takes." Alina said, determination lacing her words.
Yennefer raised an eyebrow. "We'll see if you still feel that way when the magic starts peeling back your memories and laying your soul bare."
Alina swallowed hard but nodded. "I'll do it."
The first step in Yennefer's process was a spell to trace the remnants of magic tied to Alina's arrival. They convened in a secluded chamber within the university, its walls lined with shelves of ancient tomes and alchemical equipment. Yennefer prepared a ritual circle, her movements precise and methodical as she drew runes with powdered silver.
"Stand in the center." Yennefer instructed, her tone leaving no room for argument.
Alina stepped into the circle, her heart pounding. She glanced at Geralt, who stood at the edge of the room, his expression stoic but reassuring.
"This might feel... unpleasant." Yennefer said as she began chanting in Elder Speech. The air grew heavy, the temperature dropping as tendrils of violet light coiled around Alina.
At first, it was only a faint tingling sensation, but it quickly escalated into something far more intense. Images flashed before her eyes—scenes from her life back in her world, moments of joy and sorrow, all blending together in a dizzying cascade. And then, she saw something she didn't recognize: a hooded figure standing in a swirling vortex of light, their hand outstretched as if reaching for her.
"What is that?" Alina gasped, her voice shaking.
Yennefer's chanting faltered for a moment, her expression tightening. "That." she said, her voice strained. "Is what brought you here."
The ritual ended abruptly, the magic dissipating as Alina collapsed to her knees. Geralt was at her side in an instant, steadying her as she tried to catch her breath.
"Did you see it too?" Alina asked Yennefer, her voice trembling.
Yennefer nodded, her expression grim. "Whoever that was, they're powerful. And they had a reason for bringing you here. Finding out what they want... that's the real challenge."
Their journey was far from over. Armed with the knowledge that someone—or something—had intentionally brought Alina to this world, they now had a new goal: to uncover the identity of the hooded figure and the reason behind her summoning.
But as they prepared to leave Oxenfurt, Alina couldn't shake the feeling that the figure wasn't just watching her—it was waiting for her. And whatever awaited at the end of this path, she knew it would test her in ways she couldn't yet imagine.