The scream came again, closer this time.
A warning scream, and then It descended.
Wings like torn sails slammed against the wind, sending a violent gust across the ridge. Dust, bone fragments, and scraps of fur were thrown into the air as the creature landed with crushing force next to it's nest.
The forktail.
Lean, vicious, its body coiled with sinewy muscle, scales dark. Its spike covered tail lashed behind it, tip slicing through the air with a whistle sharp enough to cut.
Its yellow eyes locked onto them.
Hungry.
Geralt didn't wait.
His silver sword flashed.
"Eskel.. left."
Eskel was already moving.
"Thought you'd never ask."
The beast lunged first, fast for something its size. Its claws tore into the ground where Geralt had stood a moment before, stone cracking under the force.
Geralt pivoted, boots sliding slightly on loose gravel, and struck.
Silver met scale with a harsh screech. Sparks flew as the blade dragged across the creature's side, cutting but not deep enough.
The forktail roared, twisting with unnatural speed, its tail whipping around.
Eskel ducked under it just in time, the tip slicing through the air above his head.
"Ugly bastard's quick!"
He retaliated instantly, his hand snapping forward.
"Aard!"
The invisible force slammed into the creature's flank. The impact staggered it, wings flaring wide to keep balance.
Geralt didn't waste the opening.
He stepped in, blade low, then drove it upward in a precise arc aimed at the softer scales beneath the creature's neck.
This time, the blade bit.
Blood sprayed, red and thick.
The forktail shrieked, rearing back violently.
Sebastian watched from the edge of the ridge, unmoving, his golden eyes tracking every motion.
Every step, every strike and every mistake.
Geralt flowed like water, efficient, controlled fir for an experienced Witcher.
Eskel was heavier, more forceful, his blows carried weight meant to break the creature.
Together, they pressed the creature.
But the forktail wasn't just a regular prey.
It snapped its jaws forward with terrifying speed, forcing Geralt to twist away. Its claws followed immediately, forcing Eskel back.
Then it spread its wings.
"Careful!" Geralt barked.
Too late.
With a powerful beat, the creature launched itself upward, wind exploding outward from the force. Dust and debris blinded the ridge for a moment.
Geralt raised an arm, squinting through the storm.
"Yrden!"
A glowing glyph flared beneath them, but the creature was already airborne, just out of reach.
It circled once above, wounded but not broken, blood trailing from its side.
Its eyes burned with fury now.
Then it turned and fled.
Geralt lowered his sword slightly, watching its path, his breathing steady.
"It won't get far."
Eskel spat to the side, rolling his shoulder.
"Yeah. You clipped it good."
Geralt nodded once, eyes narrowing as he tracked the distant shape disappearing beyond the trees.
"It's hurt. Desperate."
A pause.
"That makes it more dangerous."
Eskel grinned faintly.
"Good. I was getting bored, time for a good chase on foot."
Without another word, both of them moved toward the edge of the ridge.
Sebastian stepped forward slightly.
"You're going after it now?"
Geralt glanced back at him briefly.
"Yes"
Eskel added, jerking a thumb toward the nest.
"Burn that. No point leaving it behind."
Geralt's gaze lingered for a fraction longer.
"Then follow us quickly through the path we came from."
And just like that,
They jumped.
Not recklessly, but without hesitation.
Boots hit lower rock ledges, sliding, catching, controlled descent instead of a fall. They moved fast, cutting through the terrain in a way no ordinary man could manage.
Within moments, they were already disappearing into the forest below.
Gone.
Sebastian stood alone on the ridge.
The wind howled again.
For a second, he simply watched the direction they vanished.
Then his gaze shifted.
Back to the nest.
A slow exhale left him.
"Right…"
He stepped closer, looking down at the structure, the bones, the remains, the stench of death.
His hand lifted.
Flame ignited instantly.
The fire danced along his fingers, bright and alive.
Sebastian stared at it for a moment.
Then at the nest.
"…let's not keep them waiting."
He thrust his hand forward.
The fire surged.
A wave.
Flames engulfed the nest in an instant, roaring to life with unnatural intensity. Dry wood and rotting flesh caught immediately, black smoke rising thick into the sky.
The bones cracked under the heat.
The stench burned away.
Sebastian watched the flames devour the nest, the fire reflecting in his golden eyes as bone and rot cracked and collapsed into embers.
The wind shifted.
A faint sound reached him.
Not the roar of fire or the distant echo of Geralt and Eskel giving chase.
Footsteps, light and careful. Trying not to be heard.
Sebastian's expression hardened slightly. His senses sharpened, the world narrowing into threads of sound and scent.
There.
Behind him.
Near the cave exit.
He exhaled slowly, then spoke without looking back.
"…you can come out now."
A pause.
Sebastian turned.
"Ciri..."
She stepped out from the shadow of the cave entrance, brushing dust from her sleeves as if she'd merely wandered into a garden instead of tracking witchers.
A crooked grin tugged at her lips.
"Oops," she said lightly. "You got me."
Sebastian stared at her for a second, disbelief plain on his face.
"What are you doing here?"
She shrugged, completely unbothered.
"Following you."
A beat.
"Obviously."
His brows furrowed.
"You followed us all the way here?"
She lifted her chin slightly, a hint of pride slipping into her tone.
"I did. And none of you noticed." Her grin widened. "So much for your witcher senses."
Sebastian let out a short breath.
"…when you put it like that, it's actually impressive.."
Then his expression tightened again.
"But still, you shouldn't be out he.."
He stopped mid-sentence.
His head snapped toward the sky.
A shadow was approaching fast, too fast.
His eyes narrowed.
"It's back.."
Then his gaze sharpened further.
"…wait."
This one was larger and faster. And for some reason it looked angrier.
"…that's not the same one."
Ciri's smile faded instantly.
"What?"
Sebastian didn't answer.
"Quick HIDE!"
There was something in his voice that made her move without arguing.
She darted toward the rocks near the cave entrance, crouching low, her breath quickening despite herself. Her fingers clenched slightly, instinctively searching for a weapon she didn't have.
The air screamed.
Then, impact.
The creature crashed down onto the ridge with violent force, stone cracking, the ground trembled, sending loose debris skittering across the surface.
Its landing sealed the cave entrance behind it.
Blocked.
Sebastian didn't move.
"…shit."
The forktail rose slowly from its landing crouch, wings partially unfurled, its massive frame casting a long shadow over the burning remains of the nest.
Its eyes, bright, furious locked onto the flames.
A low, guttural sound rumbled from its throat.
Not just anger, rage and loss.
Sebastian's gaze flicked briefly to the destroyed nest… then back to the creature.
Realization settled in.
"…that's the female."
The beast let out a piercing shriek, the sound filled with something raw and violent. Its tail lashed behind it, carving deep grooves into the stone.
It knew.
It felt what had been taken.
And it was looking for something to kill.
Sebastian stepped forward.
Slowly, positioning himself between the creature… and the rocks where Ciri hid.
He didn't look back at her.
"Stay hidden.."
Ciri peeked from her cover, eyes wide, heart hammering in her chest. For once, there was no clever remark ready on her lips.
"Seb…"
The way he stood, still.
Facing something that could tear a squad of armored knights apart.
Her fingers tightened into a fist, the other hand on his sword.
The forktail's head snapped toward him.
Its nostrils flared, catching the scent of the one who burned its nest.
The one who stood in its territory, and its wings spread wide.
Sebastian's grip tightened on his silver sword.
Yet his golden eyes didn't waver.
"Alright..."
/-\
If you Like this story! Check out my other stories! Shadow Monarch: In One Piece / Shadow Monarch in DC
&
If you wish to read more or simply support me than check out my pat-reon / FrenzyAren"
You can Get Access to More Chapters Ahead of Release on All of My Stories!