Witcher of UA

Chapter 22

This morning was pleasant. The sun was shining brightly and the temperature was perfect. Asui Tsuyu took her younger siblings to the park to relieve her hard-working parents. She watched the children play on the playground. Tsuyu sat on a bench, relaxed. She was already thinking about what she would make for dinner. The leaves on the trees rustled peacefully and the birds... Tsuyu looked around... she could hear the squeals of children playing, but she couldn't hear the birds singing... She could see dogs dragging their owners away from the trees. She could see cats and squirrels running away...

Something was wrong... something was very wrong. Tsuyu stood up from the bench and looked towards the thick bushes and trees where the cat had just escaped from... Something was moving there... something big...

A huge... ant emerged from behind the trees? No... It looked like a cross between an ant, a spider, a praying mantis, and a scorpion all in one.... The giant insect had six limbs, and its tail was covered in triangular protrusions. The beast made a shrill sound, like a squeaking insect, only much louder.

Screams rang out all around. Tsuyu began to run towards her siblings.

"SAMIDARE! SATSUKI!"

Tsuyu caught the attention of her younger sister and brother. She gathered the children under her arms and began to run away. The problem was that the playground was surrounded by vegetation... from which these spider monsters were emerging...

"UUUURRRRRAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

A man over two meters tall with the head of a lion grabbed the beast and threw it against the playground fence, creating an escape route. He jumped high to crush the monster with his entire body mass. People started running out. Tsuyu took advantage of the situation. As she ran, she turned towards a large man who handed some woman a small boy who also had a lion's head.... then ripped a piece of steel fence support out of the ground and charged in to save as many people as possible.

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Vesemir was riding with Aizawa and Present Mic. They had a police escort to get there as quickly as possible. Vesemir shared information about Endreg. Almost all the pro heroes heading there knew that these monsters were poisonous, and that fire affected them. Vesemir had Golden Oriole ready. Several vials of freshly brewed elixir were secured in the backseat of the car.

"One more thing. Try not to get poisoned by Endreg. These elixirs are taken by Witchers and wizards... but I don't know how it might affect you. Grandpa told me about a girl who was badly injured... so he gave her Swallow's potion..."

Present Mic turned his head to look at Vesemir. This time Aizawa was driving.

"And what happened next, kid?"

 "According to the herbalist who took care of the girl... she screamed all night... and then, who knows, the Nilfgaardians came and took her away."

Present Mic swallowed.

"Why?"

"I don't know... I didn't ask... I didn't want to know."

Aizawa glanced in the rearview mirror. His gaze met Vesemir's.

"Then why did you make so many potions?"

"Because if there's no other way, I'll pour this potion down your throat. You either live or you die."

Present Mic sucked in air through his teeth, trying to turn it into a joke, but the words didn't come to mind. Instead, he asked.

"So that's what happened in your world?"

"Hmmmm... what do you mean, Uncle?"

"I mean... where you grew up, there was no time for doubt."

"Do you have time for doubts during a fight with villains?"

"No...but..."

"No buts. Imagine fighting Endrega is the same....only you're fighting a psychopath who you have to kill, or he'll kill you and everyone around you."

Present Mic fell silent, biting his lip. Vesemir's words hit him harder than he expected. Aizawa glanced at Vesemir out of the corner of his eye, then focused his gaze back on the road.

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Tsuyu locked herself in a small, one-story building with a dozen or so people that served as an information point and a toilet. About 30 people found shelter. Mostly mothers with children and teenagers like herself. Among them was a girl who had vines instead of hair. She was kneeling on the floor, praying.

"Dear God, don't let harm come to the innocent."

You could also hear the sobs of children and the quiet conversations of adults in the room. Disturbing noises were coming from outside. Monsters were banging their bodies against the wall of the building. People had been sitting in this building for over an hour. None of them were pro heroes. Through the window, you could see this hippo man lying about 100 meters away, among the corpses of these strange spider-like beasts. He wasn't moving... it was unknown if he was breathing.

The metal door shook from the impact. Monsters were gathering at the entrance. Children began to cry loudly.

Tsuyu bit her lip, feeling her heart pound in her chest. She looked at her siblings, who were clinging to her. "You'll be fine. I promise, kero."

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Ibara clenched her hands, intertwining her fingers in a feverish prayer.

"Lord... give me the strength to not give in in the moment of trial..."

She stole a glance at the girl, who resembled a frog a bit. She looked confident, shielding the two children with her body. Ibara's gaze softened for a moment. She returned to her prayer.

"Lord... I beg you for mercy for the innocent. Give the blind a hand. Grant us the grace to endure..."

"VESEMIR!"

Ibara raised her head and opened her eyes. She heard it clearly.... Vesemir..... rose from her knees and looked out the window.... several people were running towards them.... pro heroes..... and at their head the boy she had been praying for.... God had answered her prayers.... this one today, as well as all the previous ones.

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They reached the outskirts of the park. Vesemir checked his weapons one last time. As soon as he opened the vehicle door, he was immediately greeted by camera flashes and the crowd's screams.

"IT'S VESEMIR!"

"WHITE WOLF!"

"WHITE WOLF! A FEW WORDS INTO THE MIC, PLEASE!"

"HOW DO YOU PLAN ON STOPPING THE MONSTERS IN THE PARK!?"

"IS IT TRUE THAT THERE ARE DEAD CIVILIANS IN THE PARK!?"

One of the policemen shouted at Aizawa.

"Eraserhead! Most of the civilians have been evacuated! Some pro heroes are already fighting in other places!"

Aizawa nodded to him. The policeman's words were also heard by his companions.

Aizawa and Present Mic walked through the police blockade to where the pro heroes were gathered. Vesemir looked around. Burnin, Master Driller, Gang Orca, and a dozen or so of his sidekicks. Before anyone asked, Vesemir immediately took the initiative.

"You don't know me. You don't have to. Suffice it to say that I'm an expert on monsters. Don't interrupt me now. Questions later."

Vesemir walked in front of the pro heroes, gathered in a semicircle.

"The monsters you'll be fighting are Endregi. They're insectoids. They have venom. Very strong. If you absorb too much poison, you'll die. Here are some vials of a potion called Golden Oriole. I don't know if you can drink it. This is your last resort. Only drink if you're sure you've taken too much venom. It'll either save you or kill you."

Present Mic walked around with a package, handing out one potion per person.

"Now something about the Endregi. They are divided into several types. Drones, workers, warriors, and the queen. The queen is several times larger than a human. We have to find and kill her. The more monsters you encounter, the closer you are to the queen. Drones have two goals. The first is to impregnate the queen. The second is to kill and eat everything that moves, including you. Warriors are the strongest monsters you will encounter, apart from the queen. Their tails are saturated with venom. They live to fight. They were created for this purpose. They can kill a human with one slap of their tail, even before the poison takes effect. Workers are the most numerous caste. You will almost always encounter them in groups of at least 6 individuals. Endregi are fast and deadly. Fight from a distance and stay in a group. Do not let yourself be surrounded. If you can use fire or attacks that can stun such an opponent, do not hesitate. They will kill you if they have the chance. I repeat again. WE MUST kill queen. If you come across large holes dug out of the ground, try to blow them up. Any questions?"

Burnin raised her hand, her eyes burning with determination.

"Do Endregi have weak points? Weak spots that can be attacked?"

Vesemir nodded.

"Between the armor segments on the leg joints. If you manage to turn the monster upside down, attack its belly."

Master Driller frowned.

"What if the queen disappears underground? How do we get her out then?"

"She won't. When the queen starts laying eggs, she's already too big to dig herself into the ground. She definitely has a hiding place in the form of a cave or something similar. To lure her out, destroy the eggs she lays in the trees. The eggs will be clearly visible... you won't mistake them for anything else."

Gang Orca nodded slowly, processing the information.

"I see. What if someone gets cut off from the rest of the team?"

"I'll tell you straight. I'm the only one who can fight solo because of the experience I have. Any of you who decide to fight solo are risking your life. Your choice."

Gang Orca looked at the young man... actually a child who exuded confidence and authority. He had never met a child with such traits.

"One more thing. I don't know how many there are. At least a few dozen."

Gang Orca decided to take the initiative.

"Alright boy. Just remember that I'm in charge here. I won't let you go alone."

Vesemir narrowed his eyes slightly.

"Let's get one thing straight. I'm a trained monster slayer who has killed more creatures than all of you combined. My knowledge doesn't come from books, but from years of practice, during which I learned from my grandfather. If I decide to leave you, then I will. If I tell you to retreat, then you will."

Gang Orca fell silent for a moment, his gaze becoming icy cold. The surroundings suddenly fell silent, as if everyone was holding their breath, waiting for an answer. What surprised the Pro Hero was Vesemir's behavior... the boy didn't look away, nor did he show any fear in any other way....

Vesemir pulled out a silver sword and poured Insectoid oil on it. The Pro Heroes looked at him with a lack of understanding.

"I'm a professional. You don't think I came unprepared, do you?"

Vesemir turned away from them and went towards the first visible monsters.

Gang Orca stared at Vesemir's retreating silhouette for a moment. He turned towards Aizawa.

"Eraserhead. Where did you get this brat?"

Aizawa was silent for a long moment. Tiredness and a shadow of pain appeared in his eyes, which he rarely showed. He sighed quietly, adjusting his goggles.

"He's my son."

Gang Orca froze, his eyes widening slightly. Burnin, standing next to him, looked at Aizawa in disbelief. Before they could say anything, Present Mic spoke.

 "It's... a bit more complicated." 

Aizawa followed his son. Present Mic joined him... Master Driller.... Burnin.... Gang Orca and his sidekicks.

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Vesemir walked calmly. He watched the monsters. He breathed in the scent of death. He moved faster, changing from a walk to a trot.

The first monsters noticed him almost immediately. Three workers and one drone. The monsters hissed furiously and scattered, trying to surround Vesemir from the sides and from behind.

Vesemir didn't intend to wait. He jumped in front of the nearest opponent and cut at an angle, aiming for the joint between the armor segments. The blade of the silver sword cut through the chitin, spilling the stinking liquid onto the ground. The remaining beasts attacked simultaneously. Vesemir made a half-turn, and made the Aard sign to stun the insectoids.

He immediately went to attack. He managed to cut off the drone's tail, after which he was ready to continue the attack. Gang Orca crushed Endreg with his head. The last Endrega began to convulse, set on fire by Burnin's attack. Vesemir nodded. He was pleased that his companions were competent. He had feared they would be like Mr. Brave. At least these two had killed the monsters without much effort... but it would soon become clear whether they were up to the challenge.

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They moved quickly into the park. Along the way, they killed the lost Endregi. They died from fire, sword, and Gang Orca blows. Vesemir could already sense that a massacre had taken place in front of them. He smelled the intense stench of corpses. He could hear many monsters gathered in one place.... he could also hear screams.... the screams of children. He started running. When he broke through the bushes, a small building appeared before his eyes, which insectoids were trying to get to. He knew what he had to do. He started running.... as fast as he could. He was faster than a normal human. Gang Orca ran right after him, keeping up with him. Eraserhead tried his best to catch up with them. When he saw how many monsters had gathered in front of the building, he started shouting to his son to slow him down... to wait for backup....

"VESEMIR!"

But his son either didn't hear him or ignored him. He could only watch as his son and Gang Orca plowed into the group of monsters.

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Ibara, Tsuyu and a few adults watched through the glass to see what was happening outside. The white-haired boy and pro hero no. 10 fought the monsters. Ibara focused her gaze on the boy, terrified for his fate. His movements were fluid. A beam of fire shot out of his hand and an orange glow loomed around his body... when one of the monsters attacked him, the blow bounced off the glow... almost as if God himself was protecting him.....

Tsuyu watched with wide eyes, her heart beating like crazy. She couldn't believe what she was seeing. A boy who looked to be around her age was fighting and killing strange arachnids.

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Gang Orca was tearing the overgrown bugs apart with their strikes. Each of his blows shattered the monster into pieces. He glanced quickly at Vesemir. The boy moved with cold precision, as if he knew his opponent's every move by heart. Finally, the other heroes arrived. Eraserhead was using his scarf to tie up his opponent while one of the sidekicks struck the monster. Present Mic was stunning the monsters with his quirk and allowing Master Driller to kill the monsters one by one. Burnin was doing what she did best. She was using her fiery hair.

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Vesemir was even faster than during his morning training. He cut, jumped, dodged... he killed monsters. He cut the tail of one of the warriors when he tried to attack Burnin from behind. She, on the other hand, burned the worker who wanted to attack Vesemir from behind.

Vesemir didn't stop for a moment. He fought like a killing machine. There was no room for hesitation or fear. His body worked automatically, his mind coolly analyzed the situation. He felt adrenaline in his veins. Another monster jumped at him from the side. Vesemir turned around quickly, dodged the attack and cut to the side, ripping the armor along the segments. The monster howled and fell, writhing in agony.

He looked to the right. Burnin was fighting two workers who were attacking synchronously. Vesemir didn't interfere. He noticed that the woman was doing just fine on her own, burning the monsters. On the left, Gang Orca fought three workers at once, smashing them like toys. Each of his blows was like a hammer blow. Gang Orca used his quirk to stun a dozen or so monsters that his sidekicks jumped at.

There was chaos all around. The screams of pro heroes, the cries of children, the sounds of dying Endregi. Vesemir was in his element. He danced with his blade, allowing himself more and more. He moved forward on his own, not looking at the others. There were only monsters around him. He decided to use the sequence of moves that Geralt had taught him. He walked straight ahead, swinging his sword quickly in all directions.

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Ibara saw how Vesemir, surrounded by monsters, did not stop for a moment. His body moved fluidly, and the sword in his hand disappeared and appeared like lightning, now here, now there, always one step ahead of the deadly attack of one of the beasts. Monsters fell under his blade. She couldn't tear her gaze away. She felt her heart pounding in her chest, and the prayer she had just uttered caught in her throat.

Beside her, Tsuyu trembled slightly, hugging her siblings tighter.

"Kero... I've never seen anything like this before."

Ibara swallowed hard, feeling a mixture of admiration and fear growing inside her. She focused solely on the white-haired boy... his movements were perfect... she saw something more. Behind this perfection was loneliness.

"Kero... ... isn't that... the one they were talking about on the radio? The White Wolf?"

Ibara looked at the girl she didn't know by name. She nodded.

"Isn't he too young to be a pro hero, kero?"

Ibara sighed quietly, her gaze returning to the battlefield. She didn't answer.

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Burnin was panting heavily. For a moment she was surrounded by her allies, so she looked around and tried to catch her breath. She looked at Eraserhead's son, who had just killed six... now seven monsters with his sword.... She clenched her jaw, not allowing herself to rest. If this kid had the strength and courage to fight, then she had to show what she was made of. She burned another opponent who wanted to attack Present Mic from behind.

At the same time, Gang Orca barely pushed away another warrior who tried to sneak up on Aizawa from behind, while he was supporting Master Driller. Orca panted heavily, his massive frame moving with effort, but determination was still smoldering in his eyes. He looked at Vesemir, who was fighting his way through the monsters without support. He turned to his sidekicks.

"Gather around! We have to help White Wolf! He'll get there and die if we don't support him!" The shouts of his men answered him.

"STAY AWAY FROM ME!" Vesemir shouted, but not at the monsters, but at his allies. He threw the Igni sign with both hands, setting the enemies around him on fire. One Endregi broke through the fire, burning, only to be dismembered by a silver sword.

Vesemir moved even faster, his movements becoming almost impossible to track. Every step, every cut was like part of one, uninterrupted dance of death.

He swung his sword, slicing the warrior almost in half. Another drone approached from the right. Vesemir didn't even look in its direction. He made a smooth half-turn, slashing his blade across the beast's muzzle.

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Ibara practically clung to the glass, her eyes widening with horror and… admiration. She would have never imagined that someone could move with such speed and precision that her mind couldn't comprehend it.

Beside her, Tsuyu stared in equal shock, though she tried to remain calm for her siblings.

"He fights like he's been doing this forever, kero"

Ibara nodded slowly, not taking her eyes off the silhouette of the white-haired boy who was eliminating monster after monster with almost inhuman precision.

They stopped talking for a moment, listening to the sounds of battle and the sobs of children hidden in the building.

"Who is he... and where did he come from? Who taught him to fight like this? Kero... pro heroes study for years, and he..."

Ibara clenched her hands on her skirt, feeling helplessness and anxiety growing inside her. She let Tsuyu finish what she wanted to say.

"...and he looks like he's been doing this his whole life"

Tsuyu opened her mouth as if she wanted to say something, but the words wouldn't come out of her throat. She swallowed, hugging Samidare and Satsuki tighter.

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Vesemir used the signs Igni, Aard, Queen. He slashed his sword wherever he found a suitable target... slashing, dodging, killing, dancing around the crows... until there was nothing left to kill.

He took a few steps forward... he couldn't hear the screaming of the beasts anymore... they were all dead. People started cheering. Police cars and ambulances started driving towards them.

The Pro Heroes unlocked the damaged doors, allowing civilians to exit. Almost everyone cheered. The children, no longer in danger, began to act out the Pro Heroes' moves during this fight as a way to deal with stress. The adults were calling their families to inform them of the situation.... Aizawa was making a report with the police sergeant.... but Ibara wasn't celebrating... she was looking at their savior, who wasn't celebrating either. He cleaned his sword, then slowly sheathed it. He slowly walked towards the few adults who were lying further away, next to the destroyed fence. Ibara watched as Vesemir knelt down next to the wounded man with the head of a lion. The man slowly raised a shaking hand. Vesemir immediately grabbed it... Ibara saw the white-haired boy saying something to him... She slowly walked towards them.

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Vesemir leaned closer to the wounded man. His voice was quiet but firm, carrying the calm of someone who had stared death in the eye more than once.

"Sir. I see you fought with honor."

"I had no choice, boy.... my wife... and son.... I had to protect them."

Vesemir shook his head.

"No Sir. You didn't just defend your family, but you stayed here, fighting to buy time for the women and children. You behaved like a knight."

The man smiled weakly, his fangs slightly visible in his pursed lips. He sighed heavily, and his chest rose ever slower.

"I can't... feel my legs..."

Vesemir nodded slowly. He knew what that meant... but he had no intention of lying to a man who had decided to sacrifice his own life in defense of the innocent. It was too late for a potion.

"Sir.... The venom of the monsters has been coursing through your veins for too long.... you've lost a lot of blood too."

The man squeezed his eyes shut slightly, as if he had already accepted his fate, but there was no fear in his eyes. There was only silence and exhaustion.

"How much do I have left?"

"Not much.... should I bring your wife and son here?"

The man laughed dryly, although it was more like a broken cough.

"No boy....I don't want them to remember me like that."

Vesemir squeezed the man's hand.

"Your ancestors look upon you with pride, Sir."

The man smiled....and Vesemir looked into his eyes as he took his last breath.

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Ibara approached slowly, her steps uncertain, almost unconscious. Her heart was beating like crazy and her hands were shaking as she looked at the man lying on the ground and Vesemir kneeling next to him. She knelt down next to Vesemir.

"We have to take him to the hospital..."

Vesemir didn't answer right away. He continued to hold the man's hand. He shook his head.

"I'm sorry... but it's too late."

Ibara froze, as if the words had hit her in the chest with the force of a hammer. She shook her head, her voice trembling.

"No... don't say that... he was saying that just a moment ago... ... We have to do something... he... you were talking to him just a moment ago... I heard..."

Ibara noticed the silver chain with a cross around the man's neck.

She squeezed her eyes shut, and the first tears, silent and bitter, flowed down her cheeks. She folded her hands in prayer, bowing her head low. Her voice quivered with silent sobbing.

"May Christ who was crucified for you to bring you freedom and peace.....

May Christ who died for you to admit you into his garden of paradise.....

May Christ, the true Shepherd, acknowledge you as one of his flock.....

May he forgive all your sins, and set you among those he has chosen.....

Amen."

Vesemir was silent. He stared at Ibara, not interrupting her prayer. When Ibara finished the prayer, which calmed her down a bit... she looked at Vesemir's face... and was unable to understand....

"Why... why are you so calm?"

"Because I cannot afford to despair when the danger has not passed. He did what was his. He fought for his family and died in battle."

Ibara looked at him with wide open eyes, in which tears still shone. Her voice was quiet, trembling, almost pleading.

"How... how can you say that..."

Vesemir slowly put the man's hand down with respect.

"Because I can't despair. My duty is not yet complete. I must kill the queen of these monsters. If I don't, his sacrifice will be in vain."

Ibara clenched her fists, feeling her heart squeeze even tighter. She looked at Vesemir in disbelief, unable to understand his calmness.

"But... why do you have to do it and not some pro hero? You're a teenager..."

Vesemir looked at her calmly, but there was a shadow of fatigue in his eyes - fatigue that didn't suit his age.

"Because it has to be done. Someone else might fail."

End of Chapter 22