The climb to Istredd's sanctuary was brutal. The wind whipped across the mountainside with icy ferocity, threatening to knock Alina off her feet more than once. Loose rocks shifted beneath her boots, and the trail grew narrower, leaving her clinging to the jagged rock face for dear life. Each step was a test of her resolve, and her body screamed in protest.
"We're close." Yennefer called over the howling wind, her voice laced with urgency. She moved with the confidence of someone who had traversed these treacherous paths before, her violet cloak snapping behind her like a banner. Geralt walked just ahead of Alina, his broad frame shielding her from the worst of the wind. His silence was comforting, in its own way—a reminder that, no matter how dire things seemed, he had her back.
Alina gritted her teeth and forced herself to keep moving, even as the cold bit into her skin. When they finally reached the summit, she collapsed to her knees, panting. The tower loomed before them, a dark and imposing structure carved directly into the mountain. Its spires seemed to pierce the sky, and the air around it shimmered faintly, as if the entire place were wrapped in an invisible barrier.
"This is it?" Alina asked, her voice hoarse.
"This is it." Yennefer confirmed, her tone unreadable. She approached the heavy wooden door, running her hand over the intricate carvings. Runes glowed faintly beneath her fingertips, and the door groaned open with a low, ominous creak.
The three of them stepped inside, and Alina immediately felt the shift in the air. The interior was warmer than she'd expected, the cold of the mountain replaced by an unsettling, oppressive heat. The walls were lined with shelves, crammed with books, artifacts, and strange devices that hummed faintly with power. At the center of the chamber stood a man, tall and lean, with dark, piercing eyes and an aura that seemed to command the room.
"Istredd." Yennefer greeted, her voice softer now, almost hesitant.
"Yennefer." Istredd replied, his tone cool but not unkind. His gaze flicked to Geralt and then landed on Alina. His expression shifted slightly, curiosity sparking in his eyes. "And this... must be her."
Alina straightened, trying not to feel like she was on display. "Her? You mean me?"
"Yes, you." Istredd said, stepping closer. His presence was magnetic, his every movement deliberate. "The one who doesn't belong. You're causing quite the disturbance, you know."
Alina crossed her arms, her frustration bubbling to the surface. "Yeah, I've heard that before. Care to explain what it actually means?"
Istredd smirked, a glint of amusement in his eyes. "Feisty. I like that. But this is no simple matter, girl. The forces at play here are ancient, and they don't take kindly to outsiders meddling in their affairs."
"I'm not meddling." Alina shot back. "I didn't even ask to be here!"
"Perhaps not." Istredd said, his tone turning serious. "But your presence here has already upset the balance. The Weavers don't move lightly, and if they see you as a threat, it means you're more important than you realize."
"What balance? Why me?" Alina demanded. "I'm just a normal person. I'm not special, I'm not powerful—I'm nobody."
Istredd raised an eyebrow, then glanced at Yennefer. "You haven't told her?"
"Told me what?" Alina asked, turning to Yennefer, her chest tightening.
Yennefer hesitated, something rare for her. "We weren't sure until now. But the Heart's reaction to you confirmed it. You're not just here by chance, Alina. You're a thread in this world's tapestry, woven into its very fabric."
"That's just a poetic way of saying I'm stuck here forever." Alina said bitterly.
"It's more than that." Istredd interrupted, his voice firm. "You're not simply here. You're tethered to something—something powerful. A convergence of worlds, a disruption in time and space. You're part of a prophecy, though not one we've encountered before. You're like... a ripple that can turn into a storm."
Alina stared at him, her mind racing. She wanted to laugh, to scoff at the absurdity of it all, but deep down, she knew he was right. She could feel it—that buzzing in her veins, the way the world seemed to react to her presence.
"So what happens now?" she asked, her voice quieter.
"Now." Istredd said, gesturing to a large, circular table in the center of the room, "we dig deeper. There are forces who will want to use you, forces who will want to destroy you, and perhaps a few who will want to protect you. If you're to survive, we need to find out exactly what role you're meant to play—and how to tip the scales in your favor."
Alina stepped forward, her fear tempered by a growing determination. "Then let's figure it out."
Istredd nodded, a faint smile playing at his lips. "Good. But be warned—knowledge comes with a price. And not everyone is willing to pay it."
As he began to cast a spell, the air around the table crackled with energy. Symbols and lines of light appeared, spinning in intricate patterns. Alina felt her pulse quicken, the magic pulling at her like a tide. This wasn't just a moment of discovery; it was the beginning of something much larger, something that could change the fate of not just herself, but the entire Continent.
Geralt leaned against the wall, his golden eyes watching her closely. Yennefer stood beside him, her expression unreadable. Whatever lay ahead, Alina knew one thing for certain: there was no turning back. The ripple was already turning into a storm.