Capítulo 292: Reliable Raani
Wayne couldn't help but feel a pang of concern. While the fate of other sorcerers—Sil, Sabina, Fringilla, or even unnamed male sorcerers—would still weigh on his conscience, he could at least justify their loss as a byproduct of circumstances beyond his control. The possession by Baal, the Demon Lord of Destruction, had driven him into a state of uncontrollable madness. His actions weren't entirely his own, though deep down, he suspected they might have been influenced by his subconscious desires.
But Yennefer was different. Their acquaintance spanned several years, and despite her formidable and occasionally abrasive demeanor, she had been both a friend and an ally. As Geralt's former lover and someone who had provided Wayne with invaluable assistance, her death would have been a devastating blow—not just to him but also to Geralt. The mere thought of causing her demise made him feel a deep sense of guilt and unease.
Fortunately, the Lady of the Lake, Lilith, spoke softly, dispelling his immediate fears:
"When we found you, it was already a day after you had set out," she began, her tone serene but tinged with gravity. "The oppression we magical beings feel from the power of another world is far more severe than you can imagine."
She continued, "We could not enter the mountains until the rift was sealed and the power of the other world began to dissipate. When we arrived, the battlefield was… overwhelming. You had killed so many monsters that they were piled like mountains. Corpses and shredded remains were scattered everywhere, numbering in the thousands."
Her voice lowered slightly. "Under the influence of the demon's power, your combat abilities reached unimaginable heights. You became nearly invincible—capable of extreme self-healing, unrelenting endurance, and consumed by an insatiable desire for destruction. Even your physical form had begun to resemble that of a demon from legend."
Lilith paused, her gaze steady. "If it weren't for the magician who placed seals within your body, creating a barrier to contain the dark power, I fear even we would have been unable to stop you. Your rampage might have continued endlessly."
A faint, reassuring smile crossed her lips as she added, "But you need not worry about Yennefer's safety. She is alive and well. She carries an artifact I once gave her as a gift, and through it, I can sense her presence. She has left the confines of the Mist and remains somewhere within the borders of Kaedwen."
Lilith's calm yet firm words provided much-needed relief to Wayne. The assurance of Yennefer's survival eased his heart, allowing him to focus on the tasks ahead. As for what had transpired during his month-long madness, he surmised that Raani might hold more answers than even the goddesses could provide.
Wayne stepped closer to Lilith, his gratitude evident in his eyes. He gently embraced the Lady of the Lake, his lips meeting hers in a gesture of deep appreciation. The kiss, though initially tender, lingered longer than either had anticipated. Lilith, ever composed, seemed momentarily taken aback but soon reciprocated with equal warmth, her slender arms wrapping around his back in a soft embrace.
After several minutes, both parted, their expressions tinged with a shared understanding. Lilith's normally serene visage now carried a faint flush, and her gaze had softened into something more human, less divine.
Wayne smiled, his tone lighter as he said, "It's time for me to go, Lilith. I've been gone for over a month, and my friends must be worried. I owe them an explanation for my absence."
Wayne turned back, his gaze lingering on the three other goddesses still resting peacefully in the lake, their exhaustion evident. His expression was heavy with guilt as he addressed Lilith, the Lady of the Lake.
"I owe you and the other ladies my life," he said sincerely. "Without your intervention, I might have become an unthinking, destructive beast. I'll never forget this. When we meet again, I'll ensure I bring a gift worthy of your kindness and their sacrifices."
The Lady of the Lake's serene expression returned, her ethereal beauty undisturbed, but her tone shifted slightly, taking on a hint of caution as she spoke.
"Wayne, I must warn you before you leave," she began. "The evil power within you has only been temporarily suppressed. Our combined efforts can hold it at bay, but this suppression is not permanent. You will need to return to us every two to four weeks for us to renew the seal."
Her voice grew more serious. "If too much time passes, the seal will weaken, and you will once again be consumed by madness. Each episode will grow longer and more severe, and eventually, you will lose yourself entirely, becoming a puppet of the very power you despise."
She paused briefly, her gaze steady. "You must also avoid strong emotions—particularly rage and destructive desires. They may trigger the dormant power within you, causing it to resurface uncontrollably."
Wayne's brows furrowed at the weight of her words. The dark influence of Baal's magic was more perilous than he had initially believed. While the infusion of hellish power had granted him immense physical strength, surpassing that of most Witchers, it had also robbed him of his ability to channel chaotic magic effectively. His transition from a spell-focused combatant to a melee-centric warrior was not a choice but a necessity.
Moreover, the need for regular assistance from the goddesses added a layer of vulnerability he wasn't accustomed to. For the foreseeable future, finding a way to purge Baal's lingering essence from his soul would become his primary mission.
Acknowledging the gravity of the situation, Wayne nodded and replied with heartfelt gratitude, "I understand, Lady Lilith. I'll rely on you and the other goddesses for as long as necessary. Thank you for everything."
He hesitated briefly, then added, "To repay your kindness, I will build a sanctuary for you. It will be a place of beauty and safety, where you can live peacefully and without fear of the outside world."
...
After leaving the tranquil lake of the Lady of the Lake, Wayne realized he was still in the Kingdom of Kaedwen, though his precise location was unclear. Instinctively, he reached for the magic flying carpet in his space bracelet but paused midway, the realization striking him that his diminished control over chaotic magic rendered the artifact useless.
Instead, he removed the magic bell from his waist and shook it gently. A majestic warhorse materialized before him. The creature's brilliant white coat shimmered faintly, and its large, intelligent eyes met his with an understanding gaze.
Mounting the warhorse Udis, Wayne hesitated for a moment. He turned his head and addressed a presence he had sensed since awakening—the delicate, doll-like figure suspended in mid-air, holding an enormous magical tome.
"Thank you, Raani," he said earnestly. "Lilith told me it was you who prevented me from losing control entirely. I owe you more than words can express."
The Moon Princess Raani allowed her doll to become visible, her voice calm and measured. "Your thanks are acknowledged, Wayne," she replied, her sapphire eyes fixed on him. "The foreign magic in your body is indeed peculiar. It bears traces of several large runes, their origins intertwined with different realms of power."
Her gaze sharpened slightly as she continued. "The will of this magic has been eradicated, but its nature remains. It seeks to influence your instincts, manifesting as violence and destruction. Without intervention, over time—perhaps a decade or more—you might have learned to tame it fully. But I doubted you would prefer such a lengthy path, so I sealed it."
Pausing briefly, Raani added, "If you ever wish to unseal it, you need only tell me. Power, after all, is neither good nor evil; it is how it is wielded that defines it."
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