Date: Unknown
Location: Unknown
When you took on the responsibility I gave you, I never thought I'd see you here.
What is happening? Where am I. I… I can't see anything.
Where are you? Hmm, how to explain it. Well, you're not really anywhere. After all, I couldn't very well let you past me.
You… I know you. I've felt your presence before, but its… it's different. Like I am trying to remember a dream.
Well, we've never officially met but I have always been there with you. From the moment you united me.
United you? You speak strangely. Umph. My head… it feels like my mind is underwater. My mind…
I imagine it is a little hard to think clearly for you right now. In fact, the fact that you can even form this much of consciousness is impressive.
I don't understand. You say words but they make no sense
Mmm. I am curious. What do you remember?
Remember… I… I can't remember anything. Who am I? What am I?
That little? Well, it is a miracle we are speaking at all. I suppose I will take what I can get. I shall not delay any longer. You won't understand this now but you might later. To be blunt, you did something you weren't supposed to.
I don't understand.
Yes, I puzzled that together already. Your soul, the essence of your everything, has departed your body. Something that should not have ever come to pass. It cannot pass on because of this, yet it cannot go back. In essence, you are stuck in between.
I-…
You don't have to say that you don't understand. I know that already.
…
Good. Well, now comes the difficult part. The choice. It would surprise many, but rarely do I get the chance to choose something. Most of the time I am simply doing what I was created to do. Yet, it was my last choice, choosing you, that has brought me to this choice… Quite vexing if I am honest. I couldn't imagine having to do this for every little thing I encounter. I don't know how you mortals do it…
…
It matters little. I suppose if I asked you while you were cognizant, you'd want to go back to that little Swallow you've grown so fond of.
… Swallow… Ciri? Who is Ciri? No, wait… Where is she? Is she here? Is she safe?
My how truly powerful you are to gather enough of yourself from the abyss to remember even that much. Even my influence here is severely limited.
Wh-… white hair… Green eyes… pale skin…
Mmm. How romantic. Your very essence scattered to the wind yet you can still pull enough of yourself together to remember the woman you love. That's that legendary will power you were known for. You were truly such a good pick. Such a rarity among mortals.
Where am I? Who are you? Release me from this!
I already told you where you are, so I shall not repeat it. As for who I am. I am the first thing life confronts and the last thing it falls to. I am the last breath that snatches one away and the first cell that develops in cancer. I am what no one seeks yet what everyone finds. I… am Death.
… Death. I am dead?
Not quite though I told you that already. Please place your growing mental facilities to good use and keep up with what I say
Sorry
Mmm. Now, where were we? Ah yes, my choice. In truth, the real issue is your interference in a prophecy. Destiny doesn't ask for much, but she does ask when she outlines something, that it follows that outline. Time is pleased of course that her chosen is alive, but it was a challenge she was supposed to confront herself.
…
Ah, you don't remember that much yet. Well, it's fine. The point is, that if you give me an assurance to not so directly interfere like this again, for this ONE time, I will bring you back.
I did something wrong?
Yes
… So, I am being punished?
No. This is something else but it will be your punishment if I choose to leave you here.
… Who was I… before I was… here.
You… were Harry Potter. One of the most powerful sorcerers to ever live. A legend who seemingly changed the path of everything you touched and the only being to ever attain the title of Master of Death
But was I good? Did I help people?
Hehe. You did indeed. Whenever you could, but especially to those who you were close to. Were you good? I suppose that would depend on who you asked…
And do any wish to see me returned still
Many
… Then I promise, I will not do whatever I did that was wrong again.
Amusing indeed. The deal is done. Prepare yourself. This may be the last time we speak. I hope you enjoyed it.
I think I did…?
Hehehehe
Kaer Morhen
September 18th, 1272
Harry jolted up in pure panic as he leaped forward and started looking around in confusion. He was in a room. It was rather plain with only a bed, a chest, and a fireplace in one of the corners. Despite the plainness of it, seeing it set him at ease if only a little. It looked very familiar and after a moment he realized that it was his.
After coming to said realization he flinched and gripped his head in pain. It felt like a knife had been plunged into his head and then got twisted in before getting yanked out. He grit his teeth trying to tolerate the pain. After a few moments, it started to subside and he took a breath before looking around once more.
He frowned as he realized his room looked different than he remembered it. For one, there was a table sitting up against a wall covered in various flasks, some were still full and some were empty. Now that he noticed them, he could taste the faint taste of… something on his lips. Were they potions for him? Why did he need potions?
He tried to think about what he last remembered, but his head was all fuzzy and he wasn't sure if it was natural or if it was an effect of the possible potions he may have ingested. Let's see, what was the last thing he could remember.
They had finally finished the preparations necessary for the Wild Hunt and set the trap for them. He felt a shiver run down his back as flashes of battle started to come back to him. Had they launched the attack already? His memories seemed to confirm that they had. He concentrated harder to hopefully clear up the picture.
He remembered Calanthir. He had taken the Elven sorcerer away onto a nearby mountain peak where they engaged in a brief battle that resulted in the elf killing himself. If he remembered correctly, it demolished the peak of one of the nearby mountains.
He moved past that and kept going. Eredin had been next, they had lured the man into the lower courtyard where he and Geralt and engaged him in direct combat. The King of the Hunt had proven stronger than they had thought and Harry had been limited on the magic he could employ within such close quarters of so many allies. Soon enough, he died though. Geralt had told him to use some anyway. He had roasted the man if he could remember correctly and Ciri had appeared and cut his head off while he was distracted.
Then, he, Ciri, and Avallach had snuck away to go and prevent the White Frost from crossing into this world and sealing it where it was forever. They had gone to Tor Gavalch'ca where he and Ciri… he had finally confronted his feelings and admitted them to Ciri. She had returned them and for a moment they had embraced while blocking out everything else in the world.
Harry smiled for a moment as he remembered such a pleasant thing. He hadn't cast a Patronus in decades, having found more effective measures for dark creatures, but he was sure if he did it right now, it would be brighter and more powerful than ever.
His smile was immediately wiped away though, as he remembered what happened next. The tower had been a conduit for a ritual that seemed to require the sacrifice of a life. Only a being representing an Aspect could do so and instead of allowing Ciri to do it, he had given his soul instead to feed the ritual. He then felt the ritual end in an explosion and then darkness.
It was strange. After that, he was sure something else had also happened, he was almost sure of it. It almost felt like waking up and remembering you had a dream, but not being able to remember what the dream was about.
He wouldn't worry about it for now. It looked like he had just come back from pretty much being dead after all and there were other things he needed to find out, like where Ciri was and how she was doing.
Coming to that conclusion, he started looking around for some clothes, but couldn't seem to find any he had left out. He frowned before conjuring some for him to wear. He frowned at the dull pain he felt coursing through him at the magical action. It wasn't completely surprising, though. Magic worked similarly to a muscle if you never used it your ability to use it suffered to some extent. Conjuring especially required practice to use with ease.
He shrugged it off and noticed further the clothes he had made were slightly too big as well. He looked down and noticed for the first time he had lost some bulk. That said, something considering he had always been one for a smaller, leaner, type of muscle. What's worse was that he lost muscle, though, at a substantially reduced rate due to his mutagens. That meant he had probably been taking in barely any nutrients. He would have to take some nutrition potions soon.
He sighed, before shrinking the outfit until it fits comfortably. He then made his way over to the door and started outside of his room. He looked down the large circular staircase that leads down to the Main Hall and flinched. This was not going to be pleasant.
Harry dropped down the first step and immediately felt some pain go up his leg as he dropped his weight onto it. He hissed before casting some pain-relieving charms on both legs before continuing down. The feeling was still uncomfortable but at least it was no longer painful. It took him almost five minutes just to get down the stairs, even without the pain going up his legs.
He walked over to the door that led out of his tower and entered the Main Hall rather quietly. He took it in for a moment and found it surprisingly empty. He wasn't sure how long had passed since he had gone under but it couldn't have been too long since there were still signs of the army that had resided here at one point. Seeing no signs of the army and much of the furniture put back into its original position, he concluded that they must have already returned home. He was pleased with this as he didn't want them to hand around too long. He walked over to the dining area where he saw his first sign of life. And the person he found surprised him.
"Philippa? You're still here?" Harry called out with some incredulous as he looked at the sorceress conversing with Margarita who was also sitting nearby. He was much less surprised to see that sorceress. The blind sorceress turned and stood.
"Your Majesty, you're finally awake," Philippa said as if surprised to see him. Harry rose an eyebrow.
"So, it would seem. I just woke up and thought I would come down and get filled in on what I missed. Hello to you as well Margarita, I didn't mean to be rude by not acknowledging your presence." Harry said politely to the other woman who waved him off with a smile.
"It is quite alright. I understand. I am glad to see you up and about. To be frank, we weren't sure if you would ever wake up." Margarita admitted solemnly. Harry rose an eyebrow.
"She means the for all intents and purposes, you have been dead for the past two and a half weeks," Philippa answered. Harry looked at the woman before blinking slowly as if processing what she had said.
"… What?"
"Precisely."
"That didn't answer the question."
"That's because there is not an answer. When Ciri brought your body back with her with that elf, she was bawling and told us you had died. To be fair to the girl, you looked dead too. Your eyes were open and glassy and you had no pulse." Margarita said to him softly. Harry's face scrunched up in confusion.
"Then how am I alive?"
"It was Philippa, who pointed it out that while you seemed to be physically dead, your magic didn't seem to leave your body which shouldn't have been possible."
"Yes, I postulated that it was possible that you were not dead but rather in some sort of stasis. Unfortunately, nothing we did seemed to be able to wake you. Your body continued to keep its magic though, and your body was not decomposing though it did seem to weaken." Philippa interjected. Harry looked at her with shock.
"You… nursed me to health?"
"I wouldn't call it that. You weren't exactly getting healthier."
"But you made the attempt. You? Tried to keep me alive? Am I missing something? Did you have some sort of life-changing moment while I was asleep that I missed?"
"I honestly have no idea how you keep developing these opinions of me." Philippa shot back. Harry just stared at the woman before turning to Margarita, silently asking for an answer. She simply shrugged in return.
"I have no time to think about this. It's honestly hurting my head. Where is everyone?" Harry asked finally.
"Well, let's see. The Nilfgaardian and Avalonian armies returned home already, or what's left of them did. Fringilla, Kiera, Triss, and Shaela also departed after they finished here."
"Fringilla and Shaela aren't surprising, but I thought Kiera and Triss would stick around given what Kiera asked of me and Triss wanting to spend more time with Ciri."
"Kiera said she would collect some other time. It would seem her and Lambert had grown closer than previously thought. They have decided to travel together for a time." Margarita mentioned. Philippa frowned in disapproval but said nothing.
"And Triss?"
"She actually only left yesterday. She enjoyed spending time with Ciri some while you were about, but seemed to wish to go to Kovir and Poviss to check on the mages she helped send there. Apparently, they are about to make a pilgrimage to Avalon and she wanted to go with them…" Margarita said, though the last part seemed to be missing something and she looked awkward as she said it. Harry looked at her for a moment before he realized that the pilgrimage wasn't the true reason the redhead had left. She probably was having trouble being around Yennefer and Geralt for such a time.
"I see. Well, good for both of them. So, continue."
"The Elven Sage has left, though he mentioned he would return soon to check on you as well as Cirilla," Margarita spoke. Harry tensed at the name. Ciri was the person he truly wished to know about.
"Yennefer, Geralt, and Ciri are all still here. Geralt and Ciri are out on a hunt and Yennefer is currently sleeping in her quarters. Eskel has departed and Vesemir is off doing… something." Philippa said finally cutting to the chase.
"And how is Ciri since the ordeal? Healthy? Unharmed?" Harry demanded as soon as she finished.
"In all things except mental. She took your possible death… hard." Margarita said with a wince that could not be good.
"I see. Well, maybe I should go out and see her. Set her mind at ease." Harry said eagerly.
"Absolutely not. You just got out of your deathbed. You're lucky we haven't forced you back to it at this point." Margarita said sternly at him. He looked at her with some indignation at being ordered.
'I'm a King." He said
"You're also a healer and Yennefer made me quite aware of healer etiquette that you are trained in. Since I am YOUR healer you will listen to what I have to say." Margarita said while glaring at him. Harry wilted at that and started moping a bit.
"… Fine. I'll stay in the damn castle."
"My, if only it was that easy to make all rulers listen to reason, the continent would look a lot different," Philippa said. Harry glared at her for the comment but allowed it. It wasn't like she was technically wrong after all.
"Whatever. Is there anything to eat around here then? I am rather famished.
Harry felt a pat on the back and he looked up to see a smiling Yennefer looking down on him.
"Well, well, well. Look how finally decided to wake up from their beauty sleep."
"Yes, well… back was starting to cramp from lying down so long." Harry said while returning the smile.
"I trust Philippa and Margarita have filled you in on what has happened since you decided to take a nap."
"They did. And it seems my doctor refuses to let me go any farther than the Main Hall." He groused.
"Oh? Eager to go somewhere?" Yennefer asked mischievously. Harry frowned at the look.
"No, I just don't like to be stuck down in one place." Harry denied.
"It must be hard. Still, I am sure you will soon find some way to pass the time." Yennefer said with a smirk. Harry just looked at her confused for a moment before remembering something.
"Oh, I had something to ask you, but I completely forgot," Harry said.
"And what's that."
"What do you use your unicorn for? Ciri wants one too and both she and Geralt refused to tell me why. Geralt just got mad and Ciri just giggles." Harry finally asked. Yennefer just looked at him for a moment before throwing her head back and started uncontrollably laughing. Harry was almost startled at the action. He just watched her for a moment in confusion before she managed to calm down.
"I believe, that Ciri would be upset if I spoiled the surprise." Yennefer said. Harry pouted at that.
"Is it at least something good?"
"I believe you will find it to be, yes." She teased. Harry just shook his head. It looks like he would have to find out on his own.
"How are you feeling after the whole battle, then?" Harry asked.
"Well, I was initially panicked when you and Ciri suddenly disappeared. I was even more panicked when Geralt and I found your letter…"
"… Ciri forbid me from saying anything to you."
"I am aware and I have already spoken to her about that. Although I am upset she did not speak to us about her plans, she was right in the regard that we would've most likely tried to prevent her from going through with them. Still, I was a little confused about your exact role within them until you came back looking rather dead."
"I couldn't figure out any other way to prevent Ciri from possible death at the time without my own and I was willing to make that call," Harry said firmly.
"Obviously. I appreciate your efforts even if they have caused Ciri a great amount of heartache over the last few days."
"I've heard. But when I saw the ritual latching onto her soul, I knew it would require a sacrifice that only I or she could give. I may have been a little hasty with my actions and in hindsight, it may not have required the death of the person but I didn't know that at the time."
"Why would you think that?"
"I… Hmmm, I can't quite remember. I just get the feeling that death could have been possibly avoided and I shouldn't do what I did again. I don't know, my memory is a little fuzzy right now." Harry admitted as he tried to think back on why he thought that. It had something to do with after the ritual and he had been knocked down. He was sure that something had happened, he just couldn't remember what, just a myriad of feelings.
"That's strange but possibly normal given your condition. Well, I am just glad you're back among us."
"As am I… So, what's been happening on the political side of the continent?" Harry asked.
"Emhyr has been quiet for now, which has seemingly pleased some of the more conflicted parties within the Empire. There is speculation that he may be considering stopping his advance." Yennefer answered. Harry frowned in thought.
"The man must've received his men back by now. He must know we have finished with the Wild Hunt." Harry commented.
"She wouldn't admit it, but I believe Ciri sent him a message with his army that may have stayed his hand for a time," Yennefer told him quietly. Harry took that piece of knowledge in and nodded. By now, Emhyr would know he was out of commission and possibly dead. That would mean it would be the best chance he had to take Kaedwen. Of course, even without Harry involved, it would still be an uphill battle. Harry's overall armies were only average in terms of combat, but his special teams along with his magic users and dragons made his empire a strong target that would not be easily taken by any conventional means. Still, Emhyr could find a way eventually.
"I'll have to thank her then when I see her. Anything else?"
"Radovid has a tighter hold on Novigrad and is trying to get it back under his control. It seems with the mages gone; he has turned his sights on non-humans." Philippa interrupted. Harry scowled at that. The man would need to be dealt with, as soon as was possible.
"He still on that big flammable boat?"
"Last I heard, yes."
"Good, we'll deal with him soon," Harry said, giving Philippa a look not that she could see it. Despite this, she smiled at his words and nodded happily.
"Your second in command Lady Merri has been rather good at taking command while you have been gone and she sends an eagle every few days or so to check on your condition," Yennefer revealed. Harry smiled at that.
"Are the eagles magical?" Philippa asked.
"They are. Trained to use basic tracking magic as well as speeding up the travel for any location they go to." Harry revealed.
"That must've been difficult to achieve."
"Actually, it's not too hard, I didn't even develop the method. Where I come from it was done with owls and they were the common way of communicating." Harry revealed.
"Hmm. Useful."
"The knowledge isn't a secret and available to any whose loyalty lies with those who are not actively against my Empire," Harry told her giving her a side look, basically informing her she could get the method on her own if she wanted.
"It seems you're rather big on sharing," Philippa noted.
"To an extent, yes. A magical education is free to anyone with the ability and within it are common subjects, such as spells, alchemy, Herbology, etc. However, anything one creates, they can also choose to withhold as long as it does not represent a public danger. They can freely give or even sell the knowledge to the Empire if they wish." Harry said, giving the woman and overview.
"And how many contribute back to your store of knowledge?"
"So far? Many of those who have made discoveries contribute to public knowledge. Doing so and making what would normally be rare, common knowledge allows the Empires abilities as a whole to go up while also increasing its future potential. Besides, you of all people should know that simply knowing, magic doesn't mean you are capable of performing it." Harry explained to her with a shrug. Philippa seemed to ponder that for a moment.
"And what if someone wants to learn forbidden knowledge?"
"It depends. For one, my Empire has different rules on what is considered Forbidden. Two, things that we consider forbidden can still be learned with approval. Well, at least some of them can. We have two categories within our forbidden section. The first is the general one in which I just described the rules. You can come to seek out permission from me to enter and learn from. In the future, though, a person will be judged by an elite council who have to pass a test that I will create. The second category is magic not even considered dark, but outright evil and could have negative consequences on a large scale. Where the risk of using the magic simply cannot justify the reward. There is not much that lies within this category but there are some things." Harry finished looking at the blind woman who seemed to be contemplating his words carefully.
"Hmm. You have given me many questions, but it would seem are time is up."
"What do you mean?"
"You must be quite distracted indeed not to notice," Philippa said before making a gesture with her head that seemed to point to something behind him. He scrunched his brow in confusion before turning in his seat. A splash of white was all he saw before something collided with extreme force into his chin, forcing his head back so far that it slammed into the table behind him causing him to fall on the bench and then the ground.
For a moment, all Harry could do was see stars and think about the loud crack he had heard coming from his jaw when something had smashed into him. While in a great deal of pain, he felt more confused than anything. What in the hell had just hit him?
He looked up from the floor and waited for a moment for his head to stop spinning and his vision to clear up. When it finally did, he saw a scowling ashen haired woman with startling green eyes staring down at him in fury. He recognized the love of his life immediately, but it took him another moment to try and puzzle out her reaction. When he finally did, he simply sighed in resignation before touching his tender jaw.
"I 'hink -ou bwok it." Harry tried to say for a moment as he felt the disconnect where his jaw should be connected with his face. He braced himself and then smashed it back into place showing it to be dislocated. He grit his teeth for a moment as he waited for the pain to go away. With that, he rolled over onto his stomach and tried to get up. Unfortunately, as soon as he got on his hands and knees, he felt a kick in his side that knocked him back down.
"Ciri… as much as I understand your actions, he IS still recovering." He heard the voice of Margarita point out. Harry held up his hand in the air to stop her.
"No, no. I get it, I deserve this." Harry admitted as he looked up at the still scowling form of Ciri who had both hands on her hips as if she were challenging him to give her another reason. He made his way slowly to his feet this time without breaking eye contact to make sure she didn't try to kick him again. Once he got to his feet, he simply looked back at her and stared at her fiery gaze. They simply stared at each other for a moment. She must have seen something that she didn't like because her glare intensified and she made to assault him again. He initially planned to simply brace himself, but then he saw her foot cock back and saw where she was aiming. He immediately jumped back, which still hurt him to do quite a bit, and then held his hands in front of his body in a protective surrendering motion.
"Woah! Wait a moment, I don't think I deserve that." Harry said ready to protect his crotch from the possibility of assault. Ciri scowled harder and crossed her arms.
"You're a damn fool." She spat.
"I can admit to that," Harry admitted with ease. He admitted he may not have done the smart thing even when he had the best intentions for her. Perhaps it had been wrong to interfere with her choice and what she did with her life. It wasn't that he hadn't trusted her to make decisions for herself, though, his only thought had been to preserve the life of the one person he had admitted to loving.
"You could have died. You did die!" She yelled as she started pacing. She looked as if she wanted to reach for the sword on her back. He noticed the other occupants calmly leaving the room as if to give them some privacy. He wished they would stay, even Philippa. At least with witnesses, he would hope she wouldn't hurt him too much.
"I did, you're right. I am sorry that what I did caused you pain. It was never my intention to hurt you. All I wanted to do was make sure that you lived." Harry admitted.
"I lived at the expense of your own life." She said as if such an exchange was foolhardy. Harry sighed sadly.
"I have already told you how I feel about you Ciri. You know I would do anything for you at this point. Everything I have done up till this point for years has been for you. Had I died at that moment it would have been with the knowledge that I had accomplished what I set out to do all those years ago, helping someone who I consider precious to me. Had I died, the world would move on as normal. Had you passed though… the world wouldn't be the same, and it would be worse for your passing. You touch the lives of all you meet, you have family and friends that would be heartbroken without you, you are so young and still full of so much potential. I have lived a life, not always a good one but it was one I was proud of and I would have died happy knowing I gave you the chance to live your own." Harry told her with as much emotion as he could muster.
He could see the change in her stance as she listened to his words. Anger no longer seemed to roll off her. Instead, it seemed to be replaced with sadness and perhaps worry. She was no longer pacing but standing right in front of him with her head cast towards the ground as if afraid to look at him.
"I saw you… I was the first one to see you. You looked so weak." Her voice cracked on the last word as if she could barely get through what she was saying.
"Your clothes had been partially torn and you laid at an odd angle yet you didn't look in pain, there wasn't even any blood. I called your name. I called it so many times and you just lay there staring with those empty glass eyes as if you couldn't even see me. I was right there in front of you, you were in my arms and yet you couldn't see me." Ciri yelled as she started sobbing quickly wiping the tears away from her eyes. He slowly reached out to her, grabbed onto her and gently pulled her into his embrace. He held her tightly as he felt her sob into his chest. He wasn't sure what to say, what he COULD say so he simply laid his head on hers and let her cry.