— Witcher World —
— 3rd person POV —
Zoltan and his friends began drinking. Geralt, Yennefer, and Ciri remained at the table, unwilling to leave their old friend alone in his farewell. They kept drinking beside him. After a few minutes, Zoltan spoke again, hesitantly.
"I have a question for you… If that world is truly what they claim it is, and if this man called Igris is genuinely a good ruler… if I invited you—would you come with me?"
Geralt, Yennefer, and Ciri exchanged glances. For a moment, they hesitated. They had experienced both joy and suffering in this world. And then Zoltan added,
"Jaskier already accepted. Whether it's good or bad, he wants to come."
The table fell into shock. Ciri bit her lip, Yennefer felt a headache coming on.Geralt simply stared forward, unable to decide what he felt. He had very few true friends left… and now two of them were leaving forever. He didn't know what to think.
Ciri felt tense and conflicted in ways she had not felt for a long time.Yennefer could not take it anymore and burst out:
"What you're doing is utterly foolish, Zoltan! This kind of thing is no joke! And why are you dragging Dandelion along with you!? As a sorceress, I can assure you this is a deception!"
Zoltan simply stared at Yennefer blankly for a few seconds before speaking.
"Do you know what they said when I told them I knew sorcerers?"
Yennefer raised an eyebrow.
"What?"
Zoltan replied calmly:
"Those bastards told me this—'Please do not confuse us with the useless trash of your world.'"
Everyone froze in disbelief.The words pierced Yennefer's heart like a spear.
Geralt used every drop of witcher discipline not to laugh.Ciri had to use every ounce of willpower to keep her composure.
Meanwhile, every bowl, plate, mug and cup in the room began to tremble violently. The fire in the hearth surged and shrank in erratic bursts. Yennefer spoke again, voice calm but cold enough to freeze bone:
"What did they say? Repeat it, Zoltan."
Several jars shattered.
Zoltan looked at her nervously. He suddenly felt like he was standing naked in a frozen cellar.
He looked at Geralt with pity. The poor man had gotten himself into serious trouble.
Geralt just shrugged.
Yennefer repeated, expression blank but eyes burning:
"Repeat it, Zoltan Chivay."
Zoltan swallowed. Whenever she used his full name, it meant she was truly furious. He slowly repeated the line.
Yennefer let out a cold, humorless laugh.
"I would very much like to hear them say that to my face."
But unfortunately for poor Yennefer, she had no idea what kind of people she was dealing with. Ignorance is bliss…Until reality arrives — and ignorance becomes torment.
Zoltan cleared his throat.
"So? What do you think? Would you come?"
Geralt sank into thought.As far as he was concerned, his path was here…but the idea of two friends crossing into another world and facing danger alone unsettled him deeply.
As he contemplated, Ciri suddenly spoke with determination:
"I'll come with you. Right now."
Silence fell instantly.
Geralt frowned. Yennefer stared in confusion.Zoltan was dumbstruck.
"What do you mean, girl?"
Ciri continued calmly:
"If I use my power, I can follow you through the passage. I can surround you with my energy and deceive the summoner. My power already lets me cross worlds. My control over Chaos isn't perfect, but it's far better than before. All I need is to hold onto you—spread my Chaos—and I can arrive at the exact same place."
Yennefer reacted sharply:
"That's incredibly dangerous. If you manipulate Chaos to interfere with someone else's magic, the backlash could hurl you or Zoltan into the wrong place—or tear you apart entirely!"
Ciri nodded.
"I know the risks. But I believe I can do it. I don't want Zoltan going alone. If this is a trap, I can get him and his friend out."
Yennefer protested again:
"It is still too dangerous."
Ciri answered firmly:
"I am a Witcher. Danger doesn't frighten me."
Yennefer fired back:
"This is different. We are facing an unknown force unlike anything before."
Ciri's voice hardened:
"I'm not the helpless child I used to be! I can do this. It's my choice!"
Seeing the resolve blazing in her daughter's green eyes, Yennefer fell silent and turned to Geralt helplessly.
Geralt frowned deeply.
Finally, Zoltan spoke:
"No need, girl! This is my risk! I won't involve you!"
Ciri smiled.
Zoltan shivered instinctively.
"If you don't take me, I'll travel through worlds until I find you. Maybe I'll die, maybe I'll be enslaved, maybe I'll freeze alone in a cold, wet cave somewhere…"
Zoltan froze, horrified. That threat pierced his heart like an unseen blade. He exploded in curses:
"DAMN IT! WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU PEOPLE!? I CAME TO SAY GOODBYE, NOT START TROUBLE! ********! ********!"
Ciri glanced at her adoptive father. Geralt saw the resolve in her eyes—solid as steel. He couldn't forbid her. She was grown now. He cursed under his breath.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes."
Geralt said no more. He turned to Zoltan.
"Ciri is your responsibility… and I accept your offer. If you can, summon me as soon as she makes her attempt. I'll be ready."
Zoltan's jaw dropped.
Yennefer stared in disbelief.
"Have you lost your mind!? Did you listen to nothing I said?!"
Geralt answered calmly:
"If we stop her now, she'll try again the moment we're not watching. Honestly… better she travels with Zoltan than alone. She's not a child anymore, Yen. She can make her own choices."
Geralt didn't hold back this time. Experience told him he needed to explain himself clearly. Yennefer fell silent and looked at Ciri. Zoltan, still stunned, could only curse. Ciri stepped forward and took Yennefer's hands.
"I'm not a child anymore. I trained with Witchers, with you, and with Triss. I've survived far worse. Trust me. I can do this. I don't want to lose another friend."
As Yennefer struggled to speak, Zoltan finally recovered enough to roar:
"ABSOLUTELY NOT! I OBJECT! THIS IS MY QUEST! MY PENANCE! MY BURDEN! CIRI IS NOT COMING!"
Ciri simply stared at him.
"…fine. Go ahead. I'll find you eventually. Or die trying."
Zoltan froze solid, then began tremoring with rage like a volcano about to burst. He cursed until he ran out of breath. Then turned to Geralt, pointing furiously at him.
"THIS IS YOUR FAULT, YOU STUBBORN BASTARD! SHE TAKES AFTER YOU! WHY HAVEN'T YOU BEEN A MODEL ADULT TO HER, LIKE A FATHER WHO WAS RIGHT AND RATIONAL!? ********! ********!"
Geralt replied calmly:
"This has nothing to do with me. She takes after her grandmother."
He looked at Ciri again. He knew he couldn't follow. He knew Ciri's limitations and couldn't take another person with him right now; the consequences would be disastrous. If he did, he feared he might endanger her.
"Remember your training. Be careful. I'll search for a way to follow."
Ciri nodded, hugged Geralt, then hugged Yennefer.
"I love you both."
Yennefer answered:
"We love you too, darling. Please… be careful."
After nodding, Ciri hurried off to suit up. She strapped both swords across her back, fastened her gear, and returned just in time to find Zoltan stomping and cursing like a machine-gun gone mad. She grabbed him firmly by both shoulders.
"I'm ready! Come on—let's go have an adventure!"
Zoltan froze, still trembling with fury.
"AAAAAHHHHHH! DAMN IT! FINE, I ACCEPT THE OFFER—TAKE ME ALREADY!"
In one swift motion, Ciri wrapped Zoltan with the energy of Chaos, and a heartbeat later the two of them vanished. Yennefer stared in disbelief.
"Why didn't a gateway open?"
Geralt spoke quietly.
"I don't know… I didn't feel a thing. Did you?"
"No… It's as if they never existed at all,"
Yennefer murmured.
Geralt stared at the place where Ciri and Zoltan had disappeared, and uttered his favorite word:
"Damn."
…
Zoltan and Ciri felt a wave of dizziness. For a split second, Geralt and Yennefer were still in front of them—then, in the blink of an eye, they stood in an empty field. As they looked around, a few silhouettes caught their attention. A dwarf shouted:
"The last one is here!"
Several dwarves turned. Some froze in shock.
"ZOLTAN! WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?!"
"IS THAT ZOLTAN CHIVAY?!"
"ZOLTAN! REMEMBER ME, FRIEND? HAHAHAHA!"
Zoltan stared, stunned. He certainly hadn't expected to see old associates here. They weren't exactly friends, but they had worked together.
"You're here too?"
While Zoltan was exchanging bewildered greetings, another dwarf approached him from behind.
"Why are you here, Zoltan?"
Zoltan and Ciri glanced back. Zoltan barked a laugh.
"HAHAHAHA! YOU BASTARD! I STILL OWE YOU THREE LIVES—HOW COULD I POSSIBLY LEAVE YOU ALONE? I'M STUCK TO YOU UNTIL I PAY THAT DEBT, KARGAN!"
Kargan dragged a hand down his face.
"You fool… You had a life. A job. A place. You didn't have to come."
Ciri found herself studying Kargan curiously—and Kargan, noticing her, eyed her from head to toe, until his gaze settled on her medallion. He frowned.
"And where did you get that necklace, girl? That's a witcher's symbol."
Ciri replied calmly.
"My adoptive father and adoptive grandfather gave it to me."
Kargan raised a brow.
"And who might they be?"
Zoltan cut in immediately.
"Her father is the White Wolf, Geralt of Rivia. And her grandfather is Vesemir, last master of Kaer Morhen."
At first, Kargan looked shocked—then he chuckled.
"Heh. I knew Vesemir. Old friend of mine. I gifted him one of his swords… How is he?"
Zoltan glanced toward Ciri. She lowered her eyes.
"…He's dead."
Kargan stiffened, then exhaled.
"…I see. A good man."
Suddenly, there was a sharp clap. Everyone turned.
A figure stepped forward from the shadows—slow, elegant.
"Good evening, my dear dwarves. I trust you are all comfortable? After all, you've finally escaped that miserable world and wretched existence of yours."
Instantly, spotlights burst into life. The dwarves and Ciri shielded their eyes. Instruments sounded from nowhere. Banners unfurled.
One read: "Welcome~!"
Another bore a portrait of Igris with bold letters: "Candidate No.1 for Supreme Ruler!"
And another: "Welcome to your new life!"
Confetti exploded. Fireworks cracked overhead.
Then, with theatrical flair, the figure emerged fully: tall, slender, dressed in a pristine white tuxedo, cane in hand, arms spread wide, he was grinning mischievously.
"TA~ DAA~!"
Under the astonished stares of dwarves and witcher-girl, he placed one hand on his chest, bowed deeply, and announced himself with flair.
"LADIES! GENTLEMEN! CHILDREN OF ALL AGES!BEHOLD THE LOVABLE, CHARISMATIC, HANDSOME, AND GRACIOUS GUIDE OF GUIDES THE ONE, THE ONLY, THE INCOMPARABLE MEPHISTOOOOO!"
Cheers and whistles erupted all around. The dwarves looked around in surprise but saw no one. No audience. No crowd. Then where did the noises come from?
Muttering spread.
"He's a mage."
"Or… a clown…"
"Definitely a narcissist…"
Ciri stared blankly at the flamboyant entity and whispered to Zoltan:
"Who's the jester?"
Zoltan was speechless.
"No idea… maybe Jaskier had a cousin…"
Mephisto snapped his fingers. The entire scene shifted. Suddenly, Ciri and the dwarves sat at a long table overflowing with food. Mephisto elegantly sipped tea from fine porcelain as he continued speaking.
"Mmm~ the black tea is perfect~ I should give the new chef a raise."
The dwarves were stunned, staring at the feast—and at him.
One dwarf spoke:
"Aren't you supposed to send us to another world? Why are we eating here?"
Another asked:
"Can you actually call the dead back?"
Zoltan leaned forward, voice low and cold.
"How much of what you bastards promised was true? Or were you planning to fool us this whole time?"
Meanwhile, even though Ciri sat calmly, every muscle in her body was ready for combat at a moment's notice. Mephisto let out a mischievous chuckle.
"Who knows? Maybe I can, maybe I can't. That's something you'll find out later. But… I have a more serious question for you all."
Mephisto's expression shifted instantly—deadly serious. The atmosphere froze in an instant. Ciri stiffened, uneasy. The dwarves subconsciously prepared for battle.
With a voice that sounded far too grave for the situation, Mephisto asked:
"Does the chicken come from the egg or does the egg come from the chicken?"
The air in the room froze solid. Ciri blinked in confusion. Zoltan went rigid, and nearly toppled sideways. Kargan stared, dumbfounded. The dwarves just stared blankly at Mephisto.
One dwarf suddenly jumped up in rage and pointed at him.
"ARE YOU MESSIN' WITH US, YOU BLOODY CLOWN?!"
Similar angry shouts erupted from the others, but Mephisto only shrugged.
"No, I genuinely want to know! Well? What's your answer?"
As the room glared at him in disbelief, a voice crackled from Mephisto's comm device.
"Oi~ Mephisto! These dwarves are from the Witcher world! They don't have the scientific research to answer that question! Focus on your job!"
Mephisto blinked several times, then swiftly pulled a long list from the inner pocket of his coat. When he unfolded it, it stretched nearly a full meter.
He scanned it seriously.
"Hm. Let's see… Warcraft world, Elder Scrolls world, Middle-earth, Nidavellir, Warhammer Fantasy—ah! I mixed Witcher world with Durath-IX, the peak of technological and scientific advancement! My mistake."
In the blink of an eye, he folded the list back up and tucked it away.
"Anyway, never mind that. Our offer is clear—and yes, ninety-seven percent of the terms are true."
Both the dwarves and Ciri frowned. Zoltan spoke.
"Why is the rest a lie?"
Mephisto grinned.
"The part about summoning the dead is true. The part about the honorable dwarf race is true. Igris' personality and nature were conveyed accurately. But we never said you'd live peacefully in that world. That world might be even more dangerous than the Witcher one."
A dwarf frowned deeply.
"And why do you keep calling our land 'the Witcher world'?"
Mephisto shrugged again.
"Well… the stories connected to that world revolve around witchers, and the White Wolf, Geralt of Rivia, is incredibly famous and has a massive fanbase. Your world was never officially named, so everyone started calling it the Witcher universe. We just followed the trend… Fanbases can be terrifying."
Ciri and the dwarves stared, stunned.Zoltan froze with his mouth hanging open.
Mephisto snapped his fingers, and a large banner unfurled—bearing a dramatic, stoic portrait of Geralt.Mephisto snickered with admiration.
"I'm a fan myself! His posture, his gaze, his iron will… the way he challenges the whole world to protect his adopted daughter—pure legendary charisma! If he ever shows up here, I am absolutely getting an autograph!"
He said that with sparkling eyes. Ciri and Zoltan exchanged a silent, helpless look.Neither knew what to say.
Ciri stifled a giggle in her head.
Seems Yennefer has some serious competition…
One of the dwarves asked, curiosity winning over shock:
"What stories?"
"Yes! What are you talking about? Speak plainly!"
Mephisto cleared his throat and snapped his fingers again.The banner vanished—and instead, books, comics, games, anime, films and series appeared floating in the air.
"Well, you see… sometimes visitors from one world carry stories from another back home and spread them everywhere. Someone visited your world, took Geralt's tales, and published them in their own. And I must say—witchers are extremely famous out there, especially Geralt. In his own world he's shunned, but if he came to ours, his fans would surround him endlessly."
The dwarves looked absolutely baffled and tried to ask more, but Mephisto clapped his hands sharply.
"Alright, enough of that. Back to the real topic.Yes, once again, our offer stands.If you uphold your end, your families will be brought to that world."
Kargan rose to his feet abruptly, staring Mephisto down with unwavering resolve.
"Prove it to us!"
Mephisto chuckled softly, and the dwarves all turned toward him expectantly. Ciri, meanwhile, did her best to slip unnoticed behind them…
---
Author's Note: Dear readers, there's something I'd like to clarify regarding the name Mephisto. I only learned later that the name has demonic connotations. I actually took inspiration from the character in the anime Blue Exorcist, and that's where I borrowed the name from. My intention was never to show sympathy for, glorify, or promote anything devil-related. I'm not trying to start any religious debate here—I just want to inform you.
I didn't change the name because I had already written four chapters, and honestly, I was too lazy to go back and reread over forty pages and edit so many parts. So… yeah, I admit—I got lazy. I've warned you, so what you think is entirely up to you.
Besides, he won't appear in too many chapters anyway.
To be clear: I portray Mephisto not as a demon, but as a very powerful being—and definitely NOT in a demonic or divine sense!