Night draped its cloak upon the land of Mayena, silvery moonlight shining down on the inns and houses in the fortress. A sliver of its light shone upon a young witcher meditating on his bed. Within the world of meditation, the young witcher's soul was lying on the ground, his whole body wriggling, like he was a buffalo who came out of a pond and was shaking off the mud from its body.
Every time the soul wriggled, glimmering black scales would appear and cover its skin. The soul grew in size quickly, its limbs contorting into a different shape, its muscles turning into little hills, and curved claws jutted out from the ends of its toes. An invisible force tore at the soul's shoulder blades, and a pair of bulges popped on its skin, breaking out into a pair of black wings.
Despite all the commotion, the reaper remained calm. This was not his first time ameliorating his soul. His face jutted ahead, forming a snout that belonged to a dragon, and hooks extended from his chin, while a pair of horns curled back from its forehead.
The witcher's soul had taken on the form of Alduin. It was as titanic as a mountain, and its scales were dark, resilient, and sharp. The horns that jutted out of its head curled backward, and it snarled, revealing rows of canine teeth hanging from its maw. The look in its eyes was cold, but the dragon's eyes shone red.
"Fus!" The Shout broke through the silence of the space, piercing through the endless skies. Like fishes to bait, beautiful particles of elements swarmed the witcher, swimming into his body and replenishing his Mana and stamina.
The big balls of light hanging in the sky were pulled toward him as if guided by an invisible hand. Chaos energy surrounded the elemental planes like four great rings of power, swirling without stop. The witcher had a feeling he could enter the planes and meet the elementals should he wish for it, but he did not act on that impulse.
His Elder Blood was ringing alarm bells in his head. Roy would save up EXP until he could level up before he would enter any of these dimensions. After the slaying of Mirmulnir in Skyrim, Roy Observed the dragon bones as much as he could, absorbed a mountain of dragon blood, gained its blessing, and devoured one third of the dragon's soul. In a sense, he had gained, in some form, the powers of a dragon. The amelioration of his soul had turned into a quick process thanks to that.
After his return, he would meditate every night as usual. Aside from his Sign training, Roy would include soul amelioration in his routine, and almost a month had gone by since then. The training confirmed his suspicion. Amelioration could slowly strengthen his soul. Thanks to his training, his Shout's cooldown had shortened by a few more seconds.
Besides that, his Sign had also improved thanks to his relentless training during meditation. They leveled up by one level. After all his training and battles, his swordplay and archery finally saw a breakthrough as well.
'Sword Mastery Level 2 → 3: You have mastered the basics of swordplay. Whenever you use swords or blades, you gain a (10 → 15)% increase to your Strength, Dexterity, and Constitution. You are now more proficient in blocking, defending, dodging, and attacking when you use swords.
You may cast this Skill as if it were a spell. You will gain double the effects, but you will also expend double your stamina when you fight. This buff can last for at least 30 seconds.'
Coupling that with Guardian would give Roy a 25% increase in close-combat stats.
***
'Crossbow Mastery Level 2 → 3: After relentless practice, your mastery over crossbows and handcrossbows have increased. When you use these weapons, you gain a (10 → 15)% increase in accuracy, effective range, shot power, and piercing power.
You may cast this Skill as if it were a spell. You will gain double the effects, but you will also expend double your stamina and lose 50% movement speed when you fight. This buff can last for at least 30 seconds.'
***
Meditation was a powerful skill, and Roy had a lot of ideas on how to use this Skill. Back in Skyrim, it was thanks to Meditation that he could turn his soul into a dragon and search the land underneath. Thanks to that, he came in contact with the Bones of the Earth and saw the story of creation. Thanks to that, he managed to master a Shout.
And that brought with it another question. He wondered if he could do the same thing in the witcher world if he burrowed deep into the earth. Perhaps I can find some clues about this world's creator.
Alas, all his attempts at that discovery ended in failure. He tried burrowing through the ground with his witcher and dragon form, but he couldn't penetrate it. A barrier kept him firmly locked outside. And so Roy wondered. Aetherius is the counterpart for these elemental planes, and they're the source of magic for the world. The Bones of the Earth would be the counterpart for this world's core. I have to find something that's the counterpart for dragons and ameliorate my soul into its form if I wish to gain access to the earth. Wonder what a dragon's counterpart is.
Roy's first instinct told him that it was the elemental that had existed since time immemorial. The elementals that controlled the elemental planes. When I get my chance, I'm going to Observe the elementals. Perhaps I'll enslave or even kill one. Then I'll see if I can ameliorate my soul so it'll take their form. I must find out what secrets lie beneath the earth.
***
The light of dawn poured through the window, and Roy exited meditation, smiling. He loved the feeling of slowly getting stronger. The witcher picked up Aerondight and carefully caressed it. Its silvery laughter rang around him, and he strapped his blade onto his back.
His pets were cuddled together at the end of his bed, sleeping and jostling around like balls of fur. Gryphon was turned into a lemur the size of Roy's palm, and it was sleeping on Ebony's neck, holding onto him like an octopus. It buried its head in the dog's mane like it was its pillow.
Ever since Ebony joined the gang, Gryphon would bully him every day. Even in its adorable critter form, Gryphon still had the air of an apex predator, and that was strong enough to scare the poor puppy. With a new victim under its reign of terror, Gryphon was happy as a lark every single day.
Roy tucked his pets into his hoodie and looked at the grandfather clock in his room. It was eight in the morning. He strode out of the inn and made his way to the encampment. The druid would open for business that day. Now that he had convinced Mateo to help him out, Roy had a plan to clear Geralt's name. All he needed was a respected druid to make that plan a success.
***
The usual rowdiness, rancor, and tension hanging around the encampment had disappeared, replaced by a rare peace. For once, the refugees were following the rules and forming a line. Some had bandages around their arms and heads, some were coughing violently, while some were clutching their chests, howling in pain.
"New kid?" The former butler of Sodden's king sat on a stool beside the line, tossing a ball of mud at a young man who was trying to cut into the line. He had an upset stomach. "There are rules here. Get to the back of the line. Ain't the place for you to get rowdy."
Humiliated by the former butler's castigation, the lad cursed under his breath and refused to move. Five men emerged from the line and surrounded him, glaring at the lad dangerously. If he didn't move, they were more than willing to use force.
"Nobody gets to cut the line to the doctor, unless they're dying. Want our help with that?"
The lad cringed and quickly went to the back of the line without complaint.
That was a small episode in the encampment. With the refugees and the former steward keeping the order, no one tried to mess up the queue. The refugees would glance at the hill at the front of the queue, their eyes lighting up with hope.
A discolored white tent stood in front of the queue, buzzing with the light of life. Roy observed for a moment and took his place at the back of the line. The healer was skilled, and most of the refugees were only slightly hurt or ailing, so Roy arrived at the tent in just an hour. The former steward even winked at him when he passed by.
"See you, doctor. Yugni, Patricia, and Sabrina, thank you! May Lebioda bless your souls." A lad with a crutch and a bandage on his left calf emerged from the tent, waving at it with gratitude.
The witcher froze for a moment. A ribbon on his bandage? Alright, who did that? He bowed a little and entered the tent, then he heard women talking.
"He's a newbie."
"What might you need, lady?"
"Get me scalpel number one. Disinfect it. We'll need it."
"Of course, lady."
The stench of rotten flesh hung in the air, merging with the scent of alcohol and the strong smell of herbs. Roy sniffed the air and identified a few herbs. Mint, mandrake roots, button grass… The witcher saw an operating theater, and it was gleaming white, the bucket underneath filled with disgusting refuse.
Tools of surgery stood beside the theater, clean and without a speck of dust on them. Vessels of surgery, tripods, and bandages were sitting around. A doctor and three assistants from the encampment were busying around the tools.
Yugni was moving stiffly, and beads of sweat poured from her face. Her colleagues were moving a lot faster than she was, obviously experienced in this matter.
The doctor was tall and lithe, a green robe adorning her body. She was different from the other druids, who wore plants or animal fur. Her hair was red with a tinge of orange, just like cinnabar. Her face was gaunt, fair, and beautiful. Her nose was petite, her chin sharp, and her eyes were beautifully green. They were filled with wisdom and serenity only a forest could have.
She had incredible beauty, her skin was fair and almost glistening, but for some reason, Roy found this woman familiar. Geralt looked a bit like her. And then Roy cast Observe on the druid.
'Visenna
Age: 240 years old
Gender: Female
Status: Druid, sorceress, healer
HP: 140
Mana: 220
Strength: 10
Dexterity: 13
Constitution: 14
Perception: 13
Will: 10
Charisma: 18
Spirit: 22
Skills:
Source (Passive)
Breath of the Wild Level 8: Druids can communicate with animals and plants with their extraordinary senses. They can soothe raging beasts and plants, promote their growth, or whip them up into a frenzy.
Cure Level 4: Costs a moderate amount of mana. Protects the target with the power of nature, strengthening their bodies for a short while, curing them of minor illnesses like coughs, colds, or fevers.
Elementalist Level 8, Feral Change Level 4, Rejuvenation Level 10, Alchemy Level 10, Meditation Level 9, Staff Mastery Level 8, Bow Master Level 10, Fireball Level 8, Firestorm Level 5, Teleportation Level 8…'
***
It's her. Roy's heart skipped a beat, and he clenched his fists. I knew it. Geralt's mother is in the druid's circle around Mayena.
Noticing Roy's stare, the druid turned around and looked at him for a moment. Shrewdly, she noticed the chaos energy slumbering in his body. Lean, slender. This must be him. She froze for but a moment, and something flickered in her eyes, then she calmed down. "You seem healthy, witcher." She spoke, her voice sweet, but her tone was cold and uninviting. "Why are you blocking the line?" The druid cleared the tools away. "You should leave and tell the next patient to come in. Don't waste our time."
"Hey, Auckes. We meet again," Yugni trilled. She put her bandages and scalpel down, took off her gloves, and wiped her hands on her apron. Then she approached the witcher and helped him out a bit.
"You know him?"
"He's the one I've told you about, lady." Yugni mentioned the witcher's deed once more, not seeming bored in the slightest. She pulled her hair back and gave the witcher a look of gratitude. She then told him that she came to work so she could make some coins. Her son was left with the other villagers in the meantime.
Once she was done with her story, the look in Visenna's eyes softened. "Since you helped the ladies without asking for anything in return, then I shall give you a chance to state your business. I don't remember posting any request."
Visenna put her potion down. Roy felt his medallion buzz. That potion is enchanted. "This is a misunderstanding, Lady Visenna. Just like druids don't just take care of plants and beasts all day, witchers don't just carry out requests all day either."
A deep silence fell upon them.
"I do not recall telling you my name, witcher," said Visenna coldly, her eyes filled with judgment, and magic flowed beneath her robes.
Yugni's colleagues looked surprised as well. They'd been helping the doctor for months, yet they didn't know her name. So how'd this stranger find out?
A smile curled Roy's lips. This was what he was aiming for. "To be honest, your appearance resembles a friend of mine’s, and he told me that his mother's name is Visenna. That's why I said the name. Guess you're his mother, then."
Did he just… Did he just say I'm his friend's mother? Visenna froze, and she frowned, her face falling. What Roy said came as a shock to her.
The people around noticed her hair shivering, and she got a few shades whiter. The nervousness was settling in, and her lips trembled. "Wh-What is the name of your friend?" Her voice turned hoarse and weak. That question alone took everything she had.
Roy smiled at the druid. "He hails from Kaer Morhen and is a student of Vesemir. Geralt of Rivia, that's his name. Just to make one thing clear… Do you still remember him?"
***
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