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Chapter Text

Entry #58: Trouble on the Horizon   16XX 0X/24

Downwarren - Local Unrest: "Terror in Oxenfurt"

The ale here tastes like piss, but the barmaid’s smile is sharp enough to flay a man. My medallion hasn’t stopped vibrating since I entered. Either this guy's an incubus with a lot of patrons, or there’s a nest nearby.

Not like it's any of my business anyway, incubi are harmless for the most part. Enough that I've heard plenty of tales from my brothers about their... prowess. Maybe I should add to that tonight, Gods know I need to unwind after trudging through all those Drowners.

Too bad there's been a change of plans. As I was working my way to proposition Lust (their actual name, fitting) he asked if I was passing through due to the rumors... Apparently, a monster has appeared in Oxenfurt, wreaking havoc on the scholars and local businesses alike.

...Needless to say I'll be getting on the Path at first light.

Entry #61: Oxenfurt in Peril   16XX 0X/28

Oxenfurt - Investigation: "The Nightsweeper"

The city is an absolute mess. Entire districts look like they've been looted by nekkers. It's a travesty compared to how things were when I passed through earlier in the year.

The bards and poets have taken to calling it the 'Nightsweeper' (ridiculous name), named after the 'ghostly swaths' of 'otherworldly reachings' it leaves behind after cleaning the streets of wannabe monster-slayers and naive academics.

I went to investigate the 'ghostly swaths' and turns out its silk. Arachnomorphae silk. Fuck.

The locals either won't talk to me or only have useless information. Nothing conclusive, but I have... a bad feeling that I know this monster.

For fuck's sake. As I was trying to gather clues towards what (or who) I might be dealing with, I noticed I was being followed. They tried to flee when they realized I caught them- or at least I thought, until they led me to the abandoned side of town.

Guess I ended up meeting that doppler again after all.

Entry #62: A Lovers' Quarrel   16XX 0X/28

Oxenfurt - Contract: "Quell the Collossi"

Well. I guess I know what the bloody fuck has been going on. Turns out my intuition was right- the monster is Error. The mutant arachnomorph collossi I came across long back.

According to Ink's story, he's been courting Error by mimicking his species, and when Error finally discovered the ruse, he flew into a rage and chased the doppler all the way to Oxenfurt. Which means to say... the reason Oxenfurt is in peril... is because of a lovers' quarrel.

I can't believe I slept with this idiot.

Ink claims his love for Error is true however, and he offered me a contract to help track him down and subdue the arachnomorph long enough to hold a 'conversation'. I had half the mind to tell him to fuck off.

But leaving Oxenfurt - and likely the entire region - to burn because a doppler couldn't keep his lies straight wasn't an option.

We managed to trace Error's hideout to the Academy’s deserted wing. I have a feeling I'm going to need a lot of arachas and basilisk decoctions.

Entry #63: A Happy Ever After(?)  16XX 0X/28

Oxenfurt - Contract: "Quell the Collossi"

I was right. I needed all the decoctions. Error was worse than Nightmare, webbing entire corridors shut the moment we breached the Academy’s ruins.

The fight ended with Error tangled in his own silk- my doing, though I’ll credit Ink's quick wit. Once Error stopped struggling, I gave Ink my best and left them to their reconciliation. Needed to mend my armor anyway.

I have no idea what the fuck Ink said to him, but it worked. Perhaps... too well...

By the time I came back to make sure Ink wasn't being actively devoured, they were very passionately and very enthusiastically... well, you can surmise what I'm referring to. When they noticed they were no longer alone, Ink offered me to join in as 'compensation' for my hand in their peaceful reunion.

They are both idiots... but they aren't purposefully malicious. Well, Ink isn't. And I think as long as they stay together, nobody will have to worry about Error ravaging another town.

I directed them west, where they'd be less likely disturbed after all of the unrest they caused.

Chapter Text

Entry #91: Winter's Approach   16XX 1X/04

Novigrad - Preparations: "Return to the Keep"

I can hardly believe that out of all my mates, I'm among those who've survived our first year out on the Path...

It almost doesn't feel real. I can sometimes still hear Papyrus' screams during the trial of the Grasses. We all thought I'd be the one not walking out of that room again, if either of us were to...

He thought it should've been me, too. I still wonder why it wasn't.

Now, I should be heading northwest to return to my kin for the winter, share my experiences and help the school masters with training the next generation... But knowing I'll have to face him again...

I think I'll go east one last time - before the snowfall - and check up on Dust. Enough time has passed to test whether my hypothesis holds true or not.

And I don't know if I deserve to face my brothers. Not when every scar I’ve earned this year smells more of monster than man.

Entry #95: Monster Den at Widow's Tower   16XX 1X/12

East of Gustfields - Wild Encounter: "Discovery"

The tower’s overgrown with new vines. Odd. Harpies tend to pluck away unwanted gardens.

Odder is the smoke now coming from the previously debilitated chimney... I fear the harpy may have been slain by a passerby.

I drew my sword. Kicked in the door, prepared for the worst- a hideaway of bandits.

Only to be faced with... everyone.

Killer apparently wound up chased out into these parts after attracting attention from less reasonable witchers- running into Horror, who had followed my advice and wound up stumbling upon Dust's nest. Speaking of the troll, he seems to be thriving under the new environment- much to my relief. He seems to miss the children though.

What truly shocked me was Nightmare's presence. Apparently, more witchers followed after me, seeking his head for the Baron's coin- so the leshen decided it was high time to uproot from his ancient grounds- with Dream and Blue trailing after him (along with a few other forest spirits I have yet to meet).

Ink and Error are apparently here as well. Great.

...I found Dust perched atop a nest of furs. Gods. He... He had a clutch of eggs.

Witchers were supposed to be sterile. They're so small. They're so fragile. It's not fair. I won't be here when they hatch. I don't deserve it. What will my brothers think if they find out?

I can't tell anybody about this place.

Entry #97: The Path   16XX 1X/15

East of Gustfields - Reflections: "To be a Witcher"

They've all been... so kind to me. Feeding me. Helping mend my gambeson. Listening to my stories and making me laugh. Warming my bed...

Dream and Nightmare sang the most beautiful song I've ever heard. I didn't understand a lick of it - Elder Speech - but the way their eyes looked through me as they sang. Gods. I've never felt so much.

It scares me. They scare me. How easily they trust me- I'm supposed to hunt their kind! I could kill them all in their sleep! Yet...

What am I doing here? I don't... I don't belong here.

Witchers don't get to- to have kindness. We don't get companionship. We don't get to rest. And we certainly don't feel... this way.

...Tomorrow. I'm leaving tomorrow. And I'm never coming back.

Entry #98: Final Entry   16XX 1X/17

Home - Preparations: "My Choice"

I refused to look back once I left the tower upon early dawn. I feared my resolve would waver if I did. Though... if I had, I suspect I wouldn't have been taken off guard.

They came upon me without warning. Claws grappling with my swords, roots pouncing from below to entangle my legs. I fought hard, panic and fear had overtaken me- but they had already confiscated my potions and bombs first. I stood no chance. Especially once Horror and Error caught up.

Once I was sufficiently fettered, they dragged me back kicking and screaming. It was an embarrassing experience to say the least. Being handled like a child. Being told the Path was no longer mine to walk alone. Scolded as if I was too young to know better.

I lashed out. I cursed them. Wept even. I tried to fight so goddamn hard...

But... I fear I lost the heart of a witcher long ago. Maybe I never had one to begin with. Because I know that no witcher would ever call this place home.

I... I am Cross of Kaer Seren no longer. He had died out on the Path with his blades and medallion as his only markers.

I am Cross of Widow's Tower now. And I will defend my family to the last.

Chapter Text

The candlelight flickered across Sci's glasses as he palmed over the map, tracing in his mind's eye the approximate projected path of the foreign ship that had been detected by their radar beacons.

It was just as he suspected.

"They're looking for the corn belt."

Red clenched one of his sockets shut as if already dreading a headache, leaning against the lab's far wall. "The corn belt? You mean where we are?"

As he dreaded, Sci was already jumping up to delve into an overly detailed lecture, rattling the table in his haste to pace.

Red was already lost, as he had to dive to upright one of his rifles. He checked it over for a moment before tuning into Sci's ramblings.  "-atistically speaking, any civilization reborn in this Stone World would prioritize agriculture, so-"

Yep, he wasn't gonna listen to all of that. "Yeah, yeah, okay." Red rubbed over his aching socket in a soothing motion before looking back to his partner.

"All I need to know... do I take them out?"

Sci considered it for a moment.

"...No. We don't have enough information at this stage, and subjugation would be preferable to pointless culling if they prove suitably manageable. The one lacking point of our empire is insufficient manpower."

Red nodded, having expected that answer.

"Plus..." Red perked up at Sci's mischievous grin.

"Aren't you at least a little curious to see what our new friends have brought to the table? This is a good opportunity to test out the scientific capabilities of our first ever guests!" His entire demeanor darkened, shadowed by the lab's admittedly archaic lighting. "Besides... only the side with the greatest scientific might will be able to rule this Stone World; we need to make sure that it's ours."

Red exhaled through his teeth. He had been itching to finally take out the gadgets Sci made for him into the field.

But...

"Not a good idea, nerd. Can't guarantee yer safety if I'm pullin' tails without my eye on you."

Sci actually scoffed at the notion, storming back to his seat with a grin that was more a bearing of teeth. Quick to dismiss the implied risk. "Nonsense! My Alexandrite will never lose to-!" He stopped a little short, sockets wide as he seemed to catch up with what he was saying.

But it was too late.

"Ale... what? Are you talking about me?"

For the first time in... in the forever Red had known him- since they were tykes, Sci hesitated.

Red couldn't help but want to take advantage of this slip up, kicking himself away from the wall to loom over the scientist. Leaning in just so the back of the egghead's neck felt his breath. "C’mon, genius. Ain’t like ya to choke on words."

Sci adjusted his glasses before rambling. "A- An oxide mineral! Part of the chrysoberyl family and possesses a Mohs hardness of 8.5; was discovered in 1830 in the Ural Mountains of Russia. Has the ability to appear green under fluorescent lighting and purplish-red in incandescent lighting- wh- which is caused by the chromium in it's crystal structure...!" Sci trailed off, face turning green when he realized that Red wasn't letting the science talk make him lose interest.

He quickly looked away. "It's... it's hardest in its class. And rare and... and uh- I just thought it fits..."

Red’s grin split slow, smelling bullshit from miles away. "Uh-huh..." He thought for a moment, considering how he'd start fishing...

"What does that make you then?" Red leered.

Sci’s spine stiffened. "H... Helenite. It is a... c- complementary mineral."

Red immediately scoured his brain for anything Sci might've rambled about in relation to the term in the past.

Helenite... Alexandrite...

Wait a minute.

"Wait," Red's eyelights brightened, a gutsy purr rattling in his chest. "Isn't Helen the name of some dame from those Greek fairytales you'd always be moonin' over? The one the Trojan War started over 'cause some guy took 'er as his wife? What was his name again...?"

Sci looked like he wanted the shadows to swallow him whole, refusing to meet Red's face. "Paris. Or... Alexander..."

Neither of them spoke for a beat.

Red’s grin turned feral. "So what I’m hearin’ is..." He crowded Sci against the table, voice a whisper. "Yer callin’ me yer conqueror?"

Sci’s breath hitched.

Red laughed, low and dark at the look on his scientist's face. "Real cute, doc. But you ain’t the one gettin’ carried off anytime soon."

He stood, slinging his rifle. "Stay put. I’ll play nice with yer new toys. But if they start getting too confident..." His grip tightened around the strap. "I’ll show ’em why I’m yer hardest mineral."

A shiver wracked down the scientist's spine. Then, slowly, he smiled: sharp, proud, indulgent. "Good."

The candlelight guttered as Red left, casting Sci’s silhouette long against the wall. A tyrannical king in a lab coat, already waiting for his conqueror's swift return.

Chapter Text

Goth flicked his snow white tail, peering past the fringes of the coral reef with a jittery expression. "Palette, maybe this isn't a good idea after all...?" He was starting to get dry fins.

"What?! No!" Palette's golden scales shimmered as he swirled in place. "C’mon, scaredy-fish! We’ve heard the stories from dad! Sunken ships, open-ocean treasures! Don’t you wanna see something new?"

Goth hesitated. His own father’s warnings about strong currents and sharp-toothed predators echoed in his skull. But curiosity was a strong motivator.

"...Fine. But if one of us ends up in a shark’s belly, I’m telling mom it was your fault."

Palette laughed, already darting ahead. "Deal!"

The open ocean was vast.

Goth had never seen so much nothing- just endless blue and sand beds as far as the eye could see. It was a little daunting at first, but Palette's excitement was infectious, chattering about every little thing he noticed, which effectively kept the orca's mind off the silence.

Eventually, when the reef was the size of a butterfly fish along the distance, the pair saw a shadowy mass ahead.

"Palette, look!"

It was a drowned human vessel.

The wreck loomed like a whale’s corpse, its wooden belly jagged as a trapper’s maw. Goth would have been inclined to keep away from such an ominous figure, if not for the taunting glimmer of something worthwhile inside.

Palette gasped, with his hands flying forwards with grabby motions. "Treasure!"

Yet just as the goldfish lunged for the half-submerged trinket, a darker figure suddenly darted out from the wreck's shadows and scooped the thing up.

"Whoa!"

Both children stopped short in shock, suddenly being met with another mer their age. Except this one had darker bones and ecto, very strangely sleek. It was only when they waggled their tail and snapped their second set of jaws in irritation that Goth realized that they were an eel.

"Back off! This wreck is ours!" Behind him, another set of eyes watched them warily. Another eel- a sibling?

Goth's first impulse was to leave. This guy was clearly not the friendly type, and they were already pushing their luck today as it was-

"Cool!" Palette greeted the eel with a starry-eyed grin, already flittering closer despite Goth's sounds of objection.

"I've never met an eel before! Do you guys live here? Are you one of those ones that can shoot electricity? What's your name? My name's Palette Roller! This is my friend Goth!

The eel-mer was quickly overwhelmed by the bombardment, suddenly shrinking back from all of the intense energy being thrown their way. "Wh-? I? No? You-? What is your-"

"Um, PJ?" The smaller eel cut in, voice soft. "They’re just kids..."

PJ scowled. "So’re we, Gradient! And Mom said-"

"Ooooh." Palette’s eyes lit up when he finally noticed the object in PJ's hand: a rusted compass. "You collect human stuff too? We have a whole cave of it!"

PJ blinked, suddenly turning back to them with a more amicable expression. "...Really?"

Goth sighed. So much for a quick escape.

By the time Crescent found them - a cranky octopus-mer that Gradient liked hanging out with for some reason - they were all comparing scavenged treasures.

"There you are," Crescent huffed, arms crossed as they shuffled into the shipwreck. "I’ve been looking for you two everywhere."

Paperjam groaned, ignoring the grumpy guppy for the most part. "Ugh, Crescent-"

Gradient, though, brightened. "Cres! Look, we made new friends!"

Crescent blinked at the reef-kids with a mildly mistrustful glare. "...Huh."

Palette - as PJ was beginning to learn - just beamed. "Wanna come see our home? We’ve got way cooler stuff there!"

The reef was... certainly different then what they were used to.

Paperjam gawked at the colors. Gradient flinched at every passing fish, unused to so much life crammed together. Crescent, meanwhile, glowered at a clownfish that dared to swim too close, taking offense to their lack of wariness.

But the collection that Palette had been boasting about was definitely worth it.

Shelves of scavenged human treasures lined the walls: cracked porcelain, glass bottles, rusted metals, even cloths!

As the others bickered over trinkets, Goth noticed Crescent lingering near the entrance, arms crossed. "You don’t like treasure?"

Crescent’s tentacles coiled. "I like useful things." A pause. "Like knives!"

Goth sweated a little at the exclamation, but kept his smile anyway. "We have some sharp things in a clam over here?" He tried with uncertainty.

Only to startle as the octopus all but dragged him in the general direction he pointed to.

"Kids! I’m hooome-!"

Dream’s cheerful call cut off abruptly.

The mer froze in the cave’s entrance, gills flaring. Behind him, Ink and Reaper peered over his shoulders.

And went just as still.

The kids - now five instead of two - who were oblivious, kept playing.

Error and Nightmare's kids were in their reef.

May the Sea Angel have mercy...

Palette waved when he finally noticed his mother had arrived. "Hi Mama! We made new friends!"

Dream’s smile twitched. "I see that...!" He eyed the three new additions warily, trying not to show his discomfort as he bent down to avoid looming over them. "Um... your parents wouldn't... happen to know you're here, would they...?"

One of the eels just blinked up at the goldfish and shrugged. "Dunno. Mom was napping when we left."

Nightmare's little squirt brandished a fork. "None of your business!"

Until the other eel added, "doesn't your dad get angry if you go back home too late though, Crescent?"

Dream felt himself go pale. "We're dead."

He could hear Reaper groan behind him. "I'm not explaining this to Geno."

The kids kept chatting and being similarly mesmerized by various objects from Ink's hoard, oblivious to the storm brewing: one with Error's temper and Nightmare's vindictive protectiveness.

Dream gulped. Knowing for a fact that both parents were no doubt beginning to fuss over their respective children's vanishing.

May the tides be merciful.

Chapter Text

Geno had barely stepped into the throne room before the chill hit him.

Not the natural cold of deeper waters, or even the subtle, ghostly pressure that clung to Reaper’s deathly magic. It was an icy frost, crawling over his soul in a tumultuous mix of horror, disgust, and rage. The sight that he was greeted with made his fins stand on edge.

Reaper was no longer draped with his traditional robes and chains, but now lounged in silks that were disturbingly lascivious. The fabric was barely covering is ribs - if at all - and pooled dangerously short around the hips, just barely giving his pelvic region the modesty it deserved.

And leaning over him was Fatal, lush and lolling in Reaper's throne as if it were his own, claws brushing over the prince's body in places too intimate to be proper- especially in public...!

Geno remembers Reaper telling him how awkward he felt without his robes.

He can still feel the way Reaper flustered when Geno had accidentally caused his hood to pull back with a current.

Yet looking now, you'd never know that the orca had such a reserved side, only twisting in Fatal's hold with a hazy, infatuated expression. Allowing himself to be debased so easily...!

Geno felt like he was going to be sick.

“Reaper!” He quickly settled on an emotion - rage: protective. Defensive. Fearful - and charged into the room, pinning his twin with an accusing glare. “What the hell are you doing?!”

Fatal only tutted mockingly, seemingly unsurprised by his presence. Poor Reaper flinched with a yelp, quickly scrambling for robes that weren't there to defend his modesty.

"Geno! How... so like you, to show up where you're not welcome."

Noticing Reaper's flustered state, Fatal smoothly wrapped an arm around the prince's waist and pulled him close, nuzzling into the orca's neck with a too-sweet smile with those sharp and lethal fangs.

"Shhh, relax baby, no need to feel ashamed in front of this bottom-feeder, remember? Your body is a work of art. You deserve to be admired.”

Reaper’s blush deepened, face ducking shyly into Fatal’s shoulder despite the unease flickering faintly in his sockets.

Geno’s fists clenched. “Don’t touch him like that,” he snarled.

Fatal gave him a pitying look, phalanges brushing Reaper’s cheek. “Jealousy is such a poor look on you, dear brother.”

Reaper blinked. “Brother?”

“You didn’t tell him who you are?” Geno’s voice was low, incredulous. “You didn’t tell him you’re my brother?”

Fatal only smiled, all teeth and cruelty hidden beneath the veil of false charm. “Half-brother, technically,” he cooed, brushing a kiss against Reaper’s temple, possessive and deliberate. “I didn’t want to taint your impression of me with his bitterness. I wanted us to start fresh, darling.”

Reaper hesitated, slowly hunching in on himself as a blush formed over his face. "O- Oh... that... that explains a bit..." he muttered to himself.

Geno snarled, realizing he wasn't getting anywhere like this. “Reaper, listen to me! He doesn’t love you. He’s using you. He just wants to-!"

"Ah-ah.” Fatal rose with fluid grace, cutting a hand through the water between them. “That’s enough, dear prince. You had your chance, didn’t you? Weeks of being wooed by the sweetest creature in the sea- and all you ever did was scowl and sneer. You turned him away. Don't you think it's in bad form to try and sabotage our happiness over your own pettiness?"

Geno’s saw red. “You slimy little-!”

"Now, if that's all you have to say," Fatal interrupted, voice syrupy with false politeness, “I think it's best you leave. Before you humiliate yourself-"

"I challenge you to a duel!"

"-further..." Fatal paused, blinking once in surprise before his mouth curled into a slow, indulgent smile. “Oh. Oh my. That’s adorable.”

Reaper looked between them, startled. “Geno? Wait-”

“For Reaper’s hand,” The selkie pressed, voice low with fury. “I'm not leaving this castle without him.”

Reaper’s mouth parted in stunned disbelief, blinking rapidly as if trying to comprehend what he’d just heard. "G- Geno, you... you don't have to-"

“I do.” Geno’s voice trembled, not with fear, but with conviction. “Because you don’t see what he is. But I do. And I’m not letting him hurt you.”

And that was a promise.