As the trio emerged from the cavern, the crisp night air felt almost shocking against Alina's skin. The stars overhead were sharper and brighter than she had ever seen, as if the sky itself had been cleansed after their battle within the mountain. Geralt walked ahead, scanning their surroundings, while Yennefer lingered behind, her face thoughtful.
Alina lagged slightly, her mind a whirlwind of questions. What exactly had just happened? The surge of magic she had felt inside the chamber still buzzed faintly in her veins, a reminder that something within her had changed. The way the Weavers had spoken of her—they had called her an intruder, a disruption. But why? Was her presence in this world truly an accident, or was there a deeper purpose behind it?
"You're quiet." Yennefer observed, falling into step beside her.
"I'm just... trying to make sense of everything," Alina admitted. "That magic, the fight... It's like I'm someone completely different now."
"You're still you." Yennefer replied. "But the part of you that belongs to this world has awakened. It's always been there—you simply didn't know how to access it."
"Why me, though?" Alina stopped walking, frustration creeping into her voice. "Why was I brought here? The Weavers, the Heart... they act like I'm some kind of threat, but I don't even know who or what I'm supposed to be!"
Yennefer regarded her with a mixture of patience and curiosity. "Magic isn't always precise. It doesn't explain itself. But the fact that you're here means there's a reason, whether you're ready to face it or not."
Geralt, who had been scouting ahead, paused and looked back. "We shouldn't linger. The Weavers don't give up easily, and their allies could already be on their way."
Alina sighed and resumed walking, though the weight of uncertainty still pressed heavily on her. Yennefer's words were meant to comfort her, but they also raised even more questions. What role was she supposed to play in this dangerous, unfamiliar world?
The group camped in a dense forest far from the cavern, choosing a secluded spot surrounded by thick underbrush. Geralt set traps around their perimeter, while Yennefer cast wards to conceal their presence. Alina sat by the fire, absentmindedly poking the flames with a stick.
Her thoughts were interrupted when Geralt handed her a bowl of stew. "Eat," he said simply. "You'll need your strength."
"Thanks," she mumbled, taking the bowl. She hadn't realized how hungry she was until the scent of the stew hit her. As she ate, she watched Geralt inspect his swords by the firelight. He moved with the calm efficiency of someone who had spent a lifetime in battle.
"Geralt..." she began hesitantly, "Have you ever met anyone else like me? Someone who didn't belong in this world?"
He glanced at her but didn't immediately answer. After a moment, he said, "There are stories. People who appear out of nowhere, speaking of strange worlds and impossible things. Most don't survive long."
"Why not?" Alina asked, though she suspected she already knew the answer.
"This world doesn't tolerate weakness." Geralt replied bluntly. "You've seen it yourself. Monsters, sorcery, politics—everything here is dangerous. If you're not prepared to fight, you won't last."
Alina stared into her bowl, her appetite fading. She thought back to the fiend she had faced with Geralt, the Weavers in the cavern, and the countless dangers she had read about in the books and games. How could she possibly survive in a world like this?
"You've already survived more than most." Yennefer said, joining the conversation. She sat down across from Alina, her violet eyes thoughtful. "The Heart didn't reject you. That alone is proof that you have a strength you've yet to fully understand."
"But what does that even mean?" Alina asked, her voice tinged with frustration. "I'm not a warrior. I'm not a sorceress. I'm just... me."
"Then be you." Yennefer said firmly. "But be the best version of you. This world will shape you, whether you like it or not. The choice you have is how you respond."
The words hung in the air, heavy with truth. Alina didn't respond, but she couldn't deny that Yennefer had a point. She hadn't chosen to be here, but if she wanted to survive—if she wanted to find her purpose—she couldn't let fear hold her back.
The next morning, their journey continued. Yennefer had suggested seeking out a mage she trusted, someone who might have insight into the Weavers and their motives. The journey would take them through the Blue Mountains, a treacherous and sparsely traveled region.
As they ascended the rocky trails, Alina noticed the landscape growing harsher. The air grew colder, the wind biting at her face. Snow dusted the peaks above them, and the trees grew sparse, their branches twisted and gnarled.
"This mage we're meeting." Alina asked as they climbed a steep incline, "Can they really help?"
"If anyone can, it's Istredd," Yennefer replied. "He has a deep understanding of the magical forces that govern this world. If the Weavers have a reason for targeting you, he'll uncover it."
Geralt snorted softly, earning a sharp look from Yennefer.
"What's so funny?" Alina asked, glancing between them.
"Nothing." Geralt said, though the corner of his mouth twitched. "Just... history."
Yennefer rolled her eyes but didn't elaborate, leaving Alina to wonder what kind of history they shared with this Istredd.
As the day wore on, the trail grew more treacherous. Loose rocks and steep drop-offs made every step precarious. Alina's muscles ached, and her breath came in short gasps, but she pushed herself to keep up. She wasn't about to let herself be the weak link.
When they finally crested a ridge, the view took Alina's breath away. The mountains stretched endlessly in every direction, their peaks glistening with snow under the pale sunlight. In the distance, she could see the faint outline of a tower, its silhouette stark against the sky.
"That's where we're headed," Yennefer said, following Alina's gaze. "Istredd's sanctuary."
Alina nodded, a mix of anticipation and apprehension bubbling within her. Whatever awaited her in that tower, she knew it would bring her closer to the answers she so desperately needed.