Cain walked down the long dark stretched road, the sky above him swallowed by night except for the faint shimmer of stars that bled through the heavy clouds. His horse walked beside him, reins loose in his hand. Every step felt heavier than the last, not from fatigue, but from the weight of everything that had happened.
Cain met Guts. Thee Gut's from Berserk. But things were dark, almost to dark. The little girl who was Apostle. The dimensional Samira, who was his system's administrator. Soul authority, and how weird and mysterious it is. His mysterious patron goddess. And the big one. The cosmic organization and hierarchy he had barely begun to understand.
Each thought raced through his mind like stormy waters. Then he smelled it, the faint but distinct smell of burning wood and mint. Then Cain noticed a vibration pulsed from his Wolf school medallion. It was subtle but unmistakable.
His Witcher senses had picked something up. People were nearby. Since the scent was so familiar, Cain believed he knew who it was.
He picked up his pace, boots crunching along the dirt road, the smell of the fire growing sharper. Another hour passed before he finally saw the glow behind the tree line of the road. A small camp, a single fire burned in the cold night breeze.
Callum was there, kneeling in front of the flames in meditation, red hair glowing beneath the firelight like a dying ember.
Cain exhaled quietly and approached.
"Hey Callum. I'm back."
But Callum didn't open his eyes. " Yes, I can see that." Cain stopped mid-step. Calanthe's tent was set up just beyond the fire, its flap tided down tight. Not a single movement came from from the wind.
Before Cain could even think about anything else, Callum spoke again. "Don't bother. She won't talk to you. Wait until the morning."
Cain sighed inwardly. Yeah… of course they're pissed, and have every right to be. "Okay."
He glanced at Callum again. The fire made his features sharp, shadows cutting across his sharp jaw, highlighting the tension there. Without a smile Cain new they're was a problem with Callum no matter what.
Cain said quietly, "I'll take over the watch if you were doing that."
Callum opened his eyes. The green emerald eyes glowing in the fire's light was beautiful. "I'm not watching, I was waiting for you to get here." Callum replied flatly as he stood up and laid by his hoarse.
Cain nodded, unsure of what else to say. He then decided to sit on a log across from the fire, the heat warming his body. The silence of the camp stretched long throughout the night.
"How are you feeling?" Cain finally asked.
But Callum, laying down on his side of the camp just said. "We'll talk about it later Cain."
Cain just sat there as he lost the voice to say more. but he knew the words to start was I'm sorry. His throat dry, made Cain lean back, letting the fire crackle in front of him.
His eyes began to close, then...ping
A system notification.
[System Notification]:
Mysterious Gift Accumulated Reward has finished being processed: Void Quest: "The Berserker"
Cain blinked and sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. Really now, after everything?
He focused on the blue floating interface.
Rewards: Monster Trait: Not Found. Apostle Trait: Cannot be transferred due to world-breaking mechanics.
Cain's eyes narrowed in surprise. The texted continued. Rewards will be adjusted to fit user's soul authority and world balance.
Warning: Soul authority does not match known parameters. Rewards will be replaced with suitable rewards based on Administrator and Patron God approval…
Cain's eyes narrowed.
Of Samira and my patron are deciding. Now that I know this I can't help but think of how they are manipulating me. What the hell are they planning?
Another notification snapped into place.
[System Notification]: New Trait Unlocked, "Death's Authority"
Choose One of the three traits:
Option 1: Death's Rebirth
On each killing a monster, regain 2% of health and stamina and mana. Rank-up increases percentage.
Option 2: Death's Essence
Increase monster essence absorption rate from 1.2% → 35%.
Option 3: Death's Shadow
Absorb a shadow of the souls essence of slain monsters for future cultivation of trait.
Further details are locked due to Soul Authority limits.
Cain's eyes stared long at the three choices. What the hell is going on here?
Option one? Only useful when surrounded by multiple enemies, but horrible against one big bad and bleeding out. Option two is good, but I haven't had a monster essence drop so far. So I can't tell if it's good or bad. And if my drop rates are only trash, then this is a waste. Now option three has unknown potential. In this case rather invest for my future considering it will only get harder.
Cain clicked Option 3 and it's potential
[Trait Acquired]: Death's Authority: Death's Shadow
Future cultivation pathways unlocked. Current Status Unknown.
Cain sighed as he looked at his system interface text. Cain hoped this was a good investment into his future. Then it came...
Warning:
Higher beings may approach you in this world. Do not accept deals, items or contracts without consulting your system administrator or patron god first.
Cain clenched his jaw. Great. Now I have omega level stalkers too. I'm going to sleep. This hsit was easier when it was just the Witcher universe and the future was unknown.
Cain laid down beside the fire and let exhaustion from his long evening finally sink in. Sleep came quickly, and ended violently.
SPLASH. Cain groaned. "I'm up! I'm up...what's going on?" As cold water drenched him, soaking his shirt and hair. He shot upright already reaching for his blade.
"What the....?!" Calanthe stood above him, her emerald eyes narrowed on his golden slits. Her red hair gleaming in the morning light. Her arms were crossed, and she looked like she would love nothing more than to set him on fire.
"we are heading out, don't fall behind this time. She said as she turned on her heel and climbed onto her horse with stiff, icy grace. Callum was already mounted, with his expression blank.
Cain tied his wet white hair into a long ponytail, then climbed onto his horse, and followed the twins in silence.
And the silence was suffocating. Even the birds chirp felt to quiet in the tension. Hours passed until the three arrived to a port town appearing in the horizon. The walls were made of white stone, the docks stretching into glittering blue water, ships swaying gently, colorful banners drifting in the breeze.
People bustled around with energy and excitement. A giant wooden sign stood at the town gate: "TOURNAMENT WEEK"
Cain opened his mouth. "So, what do you two think thi...." But Calanthe cut him off sharply, speaking in smooth Elder Speech:"Méll'ra caem, (motherfucker)."
Cain blinked.…Yeah. She was still pissed.
Callum didn't say anything, but Cain caught the faintest twitch in his jaw. He had no idea if Callum was angry… or disappointed. Somehow that was worse.
Cain finally spoke, voice lower than before. "Callum. Calanthe. I'm sorry for what happened. It wasn't planned, but I still should've said no. That's on me."
Calanthe didn't even look at him. " Look Witcher I really don't care about you since I barely know you." She said coldly. "But you're not my my brother's friend, no your the closet's thing he has to a brother. So how you treat him matters to me, and what you did show's you don't see him the same regardless of what you say."
Cain stared down at his reins. Right. Message received.
He didn't push further. They rode into town.
The port's salty breeze hit them instantly. Sailors shouted directions. Merchants called out for business. The smell of cooked fish, ale, and spices drifted through the streets.
Cain kept his hair draped over his pointed ears, hiding them. His brown skin and cat-slit golden eyes already drew too much attention. He heard someone mutter, "Witcher!" and Cain immediately turned away, eager not to draw trouble.
The the three reached the best inn in town. It was cleaner than most, warm lantern light glowing from its windows.
Cain stepped forward. "I'll pay." Then Calanthe and Callume threw there gear at Cain without a word. As Cain entered the in. "The Moon Flower" The innkeeper, an older woman with silver hair, smiled warmly.
"Five crowns each, dearie." Cain's mouth twitched. Highway robbery. But the place was secure. And with a sorceress traveling with them, they needed the best.
He placed fifteen crowns on the counter without complaint. Three separate rooms secured. He dropped off their things quietly. Then stepped outside again, the noise of the tournament preparations already echoing through the streets.