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If you enjoy my stories, you can read up to 15 chapters in advance per story on my Patreon page / patreon.com/Samael61.
Robert is a badass who treats killing gods and slaying demons like just another Thursday. Did you know it was inspired by Thairon, the protagonist of my original story, Arrival : Ruptures, long before I began to write it? Comments, likes and reviews are appreciated. Here are the links for : AO3, Spacebattles, Royal Road and Webnovel.
What can you expect from Arrival : Ruptures:
Thairon the Genius MC with technology far ahead of the planet who does not take anyone's attitude,Skyler, his younger brother who is trying to save humanity from itself,Kael who is a chaos gremlin helbent on causing trouble,Tomoe, the female lead that is not a damsel in distress and knows how to kick ass,Individual and military battles, political intrigue and family issues,Expanding universe that you can be a part of as well.
Today is the day for you to join me in any of the links above.
—
Novigrad
Rosemary and Thyme
"When you think no one is looking, I see the way you glance at Ciri. The grief and regret in your gaze are quite palpable. Not at Ciri but at what she represents. The result of Lara's choices, of how she fell in love with a human," he said. Of course he hadn't actually caught Avallac'h like that, but he knew enough that it did not matter.
He approached even closer, almost whispering to the sage's ear. "You were in love with Lara, weren't you? And not just because she was the end result of your research. But then she said fuck you to Aen Elle and married a human."
"Think I know enough?"
"Avallac'h?" Ciri said, stiff as a statue. Her breathing was intensifying, though, with a growl on the back of her throat.
The elven sage said nothing, simply turning around and leaving.
"He shoots and scores," Robert said, watching the elf retreat in defeat. He was quite proud of himself and would dislocate a shoulder patting himself on the back. Unfortunately, Ciri had a different idea.
Tendrils of her power began to flicker across her body. A white hue began to appear, and Yennefer swore.
"Hey, easy, calm down," Robert said, putting his fingers on both sides of her head. Her eyes were trembling, but she was not about to cry. Her fury was manifesting itself, and it would end in a storm.
He found it quite beautiful.
"Calm down?!" she said, her power seeping into her voice. A small shockwave caused a blast of wind to wash over him. "I am the descendant of a lab rat, and you want me to calm down?!"
"No," he said. "You are the descendant of a woman who went against two worlds and chose to die rather than give up. I have seen few people brave enough to walk their path even if it meant death. A woman who did so on a scale to upset two worlds? That is not something to be ashamed of."
Ciri tilted her head, eyes locked on his, searching to see if he was simply saying it to calm her. Her outburst began to subside, the hue disappearing first. She took a step forward, laying her forehead on his chest. Her breathing was slowing, and he could see it sapped all her energy.
"Thanks," she said.
"I should actually be apologizing. I didn't want to say anything, but he rubbed me the wrong way," he said. He didn't like the sage for a lot of reasons, but he knew he couldn't kill him yet. Someone had to open the way forward to White Frost.
"No, don't. I hate it, but knowing it feels right. Did you really figure it all out by watching him?" she asked, pulling herself back, a doubtful look flickering in her eyes.
"It's in how people conduct themselves. He is a tough case but not entirely unreadable," he said.
"I am hitting the bed. Thanks again."
"Good night," he said as she left.
"Boy, quite the night, huh? I'm off too," he said, leaving the inn as every head turned to watch him.
It was fun except for the last part.
—
His speech last night was half-effective because Ciri was sulking during breakfast. Avallach's arrival changed her demeanor. She stood straighter, glaring at the elven sage between her bites.
The room was tense too. Everyone and their mothers looked ready to murder Avallac'h. Only the fact that they needed him stopped them. He still knew more about the Elder Blood than anyone else. He was also familiar with the Wild Hunt.
He was a necessity no one liked.
"What's cooking, good-looking?" he asked, trying to distract her.
It worked.
She turned, raising her spoon towards him with squinted eyes. "Nothing good."
"Come on, don't let it bring you down," he said.
"That's easy to say."
"True," Robert said. Words wouldn't help in this situation.
"That doesn't help either. I have a million things going in my head and no idea what to do."
"How about a ride on a dragon? It'll clear your mind long enough," he offered.
She put her spoon on the table and dragged him out of the inn by the arm.
—
"Father," Obelisk said, rising from his position, stretching his wings. "Good morning."
"Morning. Where is your brother?" he asked, scratching the dragon's jaw.
"Patrolling."
"Alright. Up for a small tour?"
"Always," he said, leaning on his side for them to climb on. Robert jumped, landing on the saddle, and pulled Ciri up by the arm, letting her sit on the front. Obelisk beat his wings, each up-and-down motion propelling him and his riders up a few feet more.
Once high enough, a stronger beat sent him forward. Ciri whooped at the sudden increase in speed, feeling the wind rush to her face.
"This is great," she shouted over the howling wind. It was different from teleporting and traveling between worlds. There was a sense of freedom in flying. A feeling her powers could not yet grant her.
"I know, right?"
He took her over Novigrad, to Crookback Bog, and over Velen, discussing their troubles while on the path.
—
"Never thought I would watch the sunset over the clouds," she said, mesmerized at the sight of the warm colors the sun left through the clouds over the sea. They had returned to Novigrad, having been in the air for much of the day.
"Yeah. The world would be a much better place if people could stop to appreciate the beauty rather than cause needless trouble," he said. All the politics, the struggle for power and wealth—none of it mattered here.
"Like Nilfgaard," she said. Her father's invasion of the northern kingdoms was a painful reminder of everything she had lost in Cintra.
"Not to ruin the mood, but I have it on good authority that Emhyr will be assassinated soon," he said. His good authority was his game knowledge, of course.
"Who? Radovid?" she asked. She hated Emhyr for personal reasons, whereas she despised Radovid for being a cunt.
"Internal strife, actually. A lot of people are displeased with the state of the economy. If he can't win this war soon or find himself a suitable replacement, like you, it is only a matter of time before someone gets to him." It was a valid concern too. Too many disgruntled rich aristocrats or traders would definitely have the means to off Emhyr.
"Can't say I feel anything about it at all," she said, leaning back on his chest.
"Just wanted to make sure. Once Nilfgaard retreats, I intend to kill Radovid and install Roche as the Regent of the North." There was no harm in revealing his plans to her.
"Why? Looking to expand your rule?"
"Heck no. Did you see how horrible this war is on the civilians? Roche actually cares for the people. When I return home, I want to leave a better nation behind," he said. Roche was no saint, but he was a better option than the others.
"You might just be the only ruler who thinks like that, aside from my late grandmother," she replied. The days she had spent in the court came to mind, watching the Lioness of Cintra rule.
"You should visit Asgard then. Sure, it's not the greatest city in the world yet, but it will be," he said. He had the gold, the power, the people, and of course, the will to make it happen.
"Why not, though? Why do you not want to rule more land?" she asked. She couldn't name a single ruler who wanted otherwise. Even her grandmother would take this opportunity to solidify the north's rule under her.
Robert was just giving it away.
He shrugged. "Too much work. I want to go out and have adventures. Brave new lands, discover new challenges, and fight worthy enemies. Because I am more alive when I am fighting for my life than any other moment," he said. He complained when his plans were interrupted, but he welcomed the battle.
"Does the challenge excite you that much?"
"The same way it does you. After all, you are turning the throne of the strongest empire in this world away to hunt monsters," he said. Ciri wanted to be a Witcher and was ready to spurn all her positions.
"True. Guess we are more similar than I thought. But I wonder, how will you have adventures when you are busy ruling?"
"I intend to install a system where my rule won't be necessary for day-to-day affairs. I can do whatever I want and return if I am needed." He had the idea to create a council to rule while he was out. He would be back every now and then, inspect the city for corruption, and then leave whenever he felt like it.
"By the way, I never got the chance to ask. Why do they call you father? Did you, you know?" she asked. Dragons who achieved reason could change shape. She hadn't seen Obelisk and Ra do it, but it didn't mean they couldn't.
He guffawed at the question.
"Fuck a she-dragon? I am flattered but no. I just hatched them from eggs and raised them," he said. He kept the finer details to himself, such as how the eggs were hatched, but saw no reason not to tell her about the year he had spent in a cave.
They landed before the sun fully set, hungry.
—
Rosemary and Thyme
Geralt noted how Ciri returned in a much better mood. They were gone for the entire day and were laughing at something as they entered the inn.
This wasn't just flirting either. He had enough personal experience to know something was developing between the two. He didn't know what to feel about it.
"Zirael, I…" Avallac'h began. He wanted to explain the situation. The future demanded at least that much.
She raised her hand, stopping him in his tracks. "I am grateful for what you taught me and how you helped me evade the Wild Hunt. We'll deal with the White Frost and never see each other again. I really don't want to hear anything unrelated to it from you."
"Very well."
They sat down on opposite sides of the table, right across each other. Dandelion and Zoltan brought their drinks and a plate of roasted chicken with mushrooms. Robert was a voracious eater, so his plate had enough food to feed three people for a day.
"Feeling better?" he asked Ciri.
"Yeah. Flying on a dragon's back is incredible."
"About Lara Doren, Robert is right."
"Thanks, Geralt."
He turned to Robert, whose blue hand was shaking. "Something wrong with your hand?"
"Nah, just trying to create music."
"You need an instrument for that."
"Sound is all about vibrations. If I can make the air vibrate as I want, then I can create any musical piece I want," he said. He raised his hand, making a point in the air vibrate in a circular ripple. He was trying to play something back from Earth, but it came out distorted, like the sound from a broken radio.
"Huh, smart," Ciri said. It was an idea no one would consider. After all, who would use this kind of power to create music?
The dinner settled into a quiet but peaceful affair, only interrupted by Robert and Ciri's banter.
—
Robert stretched his arms, yawning as he walked down the stairs. The days felt too short for some reason. As if the sun had set in the blink of an eye. He didn't complain, though. It had been a while since he felt so at ease.
The kind that didn't send him scratching at the walls for a challenge to kill something.
The door to the inn opened with a bang. Sandor strode inside in armor. "My lord. The Wild Hunt is here," he said. Obelisk had detected a group of warriors, the same ones he had seen in the Crookback Bog with Robert. "There are barely a dozen of them, but they seem to be doing something."
The Witchers and the sorceresses rushed into action, leaving the inn to meet the Wild Hunt in battle.
"Seems the breakfast is going to wait," he said, summoning his armor.
—
"Morning," he said to Ciri, walking next to her on top of the wall.
"Good morning," she replied, covering her face as Obelisk flew down to their level.
"Father," the dragon began, "they are creating a barrier. I can destroy it, but it will leave a large crater."
"Any idea what they are doing?" he asked Avallac'h. This wasn't something that had happened in the game, but he had changed the plot.
"They are opening a portal, but one of this size will be unstable. Eredin won't be able to bring a lot of troops," he said.
"Unless they found a way to stabilize it," Yennefer added. It was possible, but if they could do it, then they wouldn't need Ciri.
"Possibly but unlikely," he said. He had no idea what Eredin was plotting now.
"Let them do it. The more we kill, the better," he said. Invading their world would be problematic. Eliminating as much resistance as possible would be to his advantage.
"Are you sure?" Geralt asked. His instincts told him something else was happening. The Hunt preferred to attack from multiple angles using multiple portals. One giant portal would just make them a bigger target.
"I can handle anything they can throw at me," Robert said, cracking his knuckles.
The portal wavered and expanded. Three riders came out, horses galloping at full speed while the elves constantly checked their rear. They weren't charging so much as fleeing for their lives.
The reason tore the portal apart, dispelling it and killing the navigators. The intense heat the creature radiated melted their armor, leaving them as steaming puddles on the ground.
"Yeah!" Robert screamed, throwing his hands up.
It was twice as tall as him at his eight-foot form. Shadows had condensed into liquid over its dark skin in a constant dance. Each limb was thick enough to crush a human to paste. It carried two great horns on its head, curved downwards. The creature opened its mouth, raising its head to let out a roar that sent terror into the hearts of all who heard it. Its wings spread, casting a shadow on the corpses.
"What the fuck is that?!" Geralt asked, holding his sword tighter. He had never feared any monster he had fought like this one. Everyone else was in the same state as well. He could see Sandor, Wun Weg, and the dragons fare better, but not by much.
Robert, though, did not seem worried at all.
"It's a Balrog," he said, jumping down the wall and rolling his shoulders. The Balrog felt the change in the air. Its burning eyes locked on him, and it charged.
He burst forward, pushing the ground back violently, creating a bump on the road.
—
In the next chapter:
The Balrog summoned a whip of intense flames, swinging at him. He responded by calling his sword. It transformed into chains in mid-air, wrapping itself around the whip and pulling it back. The Balrog stumbled, giving him the chance to launch an uppercut that sent it reeling back. The shockwave from the point of contact caused the corrupted Maia's flames to flicker.
He held tight on the Balrog's horn, pulling himself up to its head. Its free arm tried to reach for him. He brought his fist down with all the leverage he could. The Balrog's knees buckled with the impact. He repeatedly struck the mallet, bringing it down to the ground.
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