*NOTE. MUSIC LINK. https://suno.com/s/7R292vk2q1fXSvLl . PLEASE READ FIRST UNTIL THE APPROPRIATE MOMENT TO LISTEN TO THE MUSIC. THE SONG IS CALLED "RAISE THE BLADE" BY PIDZEJOWATY ON SUNO.COM*
Chapter 19
Vesemir's brain had just reset. The room fell silent. Aizawa began to regret telling the truth at that moment, but he couldn't hold it in any longer.... He had to help his son return to society.... or rather, adapt to the new environment...
Yui tried to bring Vesemir back to his senses. She began to squeeze and loosen her grip on his hand.
"Vesemir?"
She asked quietly, fearfully. She was afraid of what the boy might do now.
Vesemir returned.... to his cold form.... He looked at Aizawa.
"You're lying.... my father died in battle."
Something stabbed Aizawa under the heart. So his son... had a father... there in another world. He continued to look his son straight in the eye. He was afraid of his coldness... but it wasn't fear for himself, but for Vesemir...
"I understand that you don't believe me. In the Middle Ages, there were no such tests that would allow you to check kinship. Vesemir, I don't lie... I would never say something like that if I wasn't sure of the truth."
Vesemir looked at him coldly. He controlled his facial expressions, but his anger was growing.
"My mother....told me that he died....in battle..."
Aizawa took a deep breath and with obvious pain in his eyes, looked away... just for a moment.... the guilt was overwhelming.... but it could still be saved.... he could still be a father... he could be the father Vesemir deserved....
"I don't know why she told you that. Maybe she wanted to protect you.... maybe she was ashamed of me.... maybe she didn't want you to look for me because she thought you wouldn't find me anyway.... but now.... you're here.... I won't leave you..... and I hope that one day you'll let me call you my son..... you have the right not to trust me.... I'll work hard to earn your trust..... just.... please give me a chance..."
Nejire felt Vesemir begin to squeeze and loosen his grip. She gently placed her other hand on his back and drew small circles with it. Her mother always did that when Nejire was scared. Maybe it would help Vesemir.
At first, Vesemir's back stiffened. He looked at Nejire.... and relaxed his muscles. Too much anger... sadness.... too many emotions.... he had to control himself before he said something he would regret. After a moment.... he felt ashamed.... how could he blame a man who didn't even know he existed.... after all.... it wasn't his fault that his mother... Ciri had lied to him.... Still... he had to ask.... He looked at Nezu.
"Sir Nezu.... is... is it true?"
"Yes Vesemir... I promise you it's true... you're Aizawa's son."
Vesemir nodded dully... he was tired after a sleepless night... but he finally looked at... his father once more...
"For a moment..... I wanted to blame you..... I don't know what for... everything..... but it's not your fault..... how were you supposed to know... that I'm your son...."
Aizawa felt something inside him break... but not from pain, but from emotion. For the first time in many years, he wanted to get up, go over and just hug someone... his son to be exact... He didn't want to invade Vesemir's space. He didn't want to impose. Despite being a teacher... he didn't know what to do.
Hound Dog slowly nodded. The boy showed an adult attitude that was hard to find among children his age.
Vesemir looked at the smiling Present Mic...
"Sir...."
"A A! Not any 'Sir', but 'Uncle Hisashi!"
Present Mic admonished him, returning to his loud persona.... but still a bit subdued.
Vesemir nodded....
"Sir Uncle Hisashi.... do I understand that you are the brother of.... my father?"
"What? Me? Never in my life! I am simply more than a brother! I am his CHOSEN BROTHER! Best friend!"
Aizawa looked at his 'best' friend..... with his signature look indicating less irritation.
Midnight was silent. She watched Vesemir carefully, feeling that the boy was teetering on the edge between falling apart and holding himself together. She decided to act.
"Vesemir...."
Vesemir stood up. He almost yanked his hands out of Yui and Nejire's grip. His face was cold indifference... he was as muted to emotions as a witcher.
Midnight watched the boy's every move. When Vesemir almost yanked his hands out of the girls' grip, anxiety appeared in her head. It wasn't just the coldness on his face. She knew that sight too well. It was a mask. The mask of a warrior who doesn't allow himself to feel emotions.
"Vesemir... please..."
She said softly, but Vesemir ignored her. He slowly walked around Hound Dog, who had gotten up from his crouch. Without looking at anyone, he approached the door. He opened it, stepped out, and slowly closed the door behind him.
Nejire looked at her hand, which had just been holding Vesemir's.... giving and drawing strength from the boy. She felt the coldness, even though it wasn't physical. She managed to whisper.
"Why... why did he do that?"
Yui frowned. She stared at the door the boy had left through.
"Vesemir... pushed us away..."
Hound Dog shook his head.
"He didn't push you away, but his feelings. It's a defensive reaction. He was probably taught that emotions make him weak."
Present Mic knelt down next to the girls.
"Hey, listen. This isn't your fault. Young Vesemir probably got scared."
Yui looked at him and asked.
"But...what?"
"Showing emotions, my little listener. You saw it on the screen...."
"Um... sorry, but..... that's not all...."
Doctor Osaka spoke up.
Nezu looked at her.
"Please elaborate."
Doctor Osaka shifted uncertainly from one foot to the other.
"I... wanted to get more information... I wanted to create another music video right after the first one, but my quirk suddenly stopped working..."
Everyone looked towards Aizawa.
"I didn't do anything."
Doctor Osaka shook her head.
"I know... I felt.... emptiness.... like my quirk disappeared.... but right after I took my hand off Vesemir's forehead I... I felt like I was regaining control."
Everyone froze.
"Oooooh man..... Shota! Your son has your quirk!" Present Mic shouted.
"That's impossible..." Midnight said in a low voice. "Vesemir... has erasure?"
"If the doctor felt... her quirk being turned off... why didn't I?" Nejire asked.
"Me too." Yui stated.
"Because you weren't the target," Aizawa said.
"My quirk can only affect one person at a time. The person I'm looking at. Vesemir... can have a similar effect, but without having to look at someone... all he has to do is touch someone..." Nejire nodded.
"Then... what now?" Yui asked.
"Now we go after him and kick his ass for daring to rip his hands out of ours!" Nejire said, trying to be funny.
Midnight looked at both girls, then nodded.
"Go, but don't push him. If anything happens, call me immediately." Midnight's last words were to Yui. Nezu stood up. "Then I invite all adults to my office. We need to talk about how to help Vesemir."
.
.
.
Vesemir donned his armor. Two swords were where they belonged. On his back. Knives, vials of potions. He took all his equipment. If you train, you should do it in full gear.
He left the building and headed towards the park. He had to find a way to calm his thoughts…. As soon as he came out from behind the building, Nejire and Yui were standing right in front of the entrance to the park.
"I told you she'd be coming here!"
"Mmmm"
Vesemir stopped…. he mumbled under his breath.
"Fuck….."
The girls were about 30 meters away from him. They moved towards him. They didn't hear what he said, but Yui watched his lips move. She guessed he cursed. When she and Nejire came closer, she asked with a slight smile.
"I thought you said something Vesemir. Can you repeat that?"
Vesemir sighed heavily. He closed his eyes. He exhaled through his nose….
"Truly, we have beautiful weather today, Miss Yui. I was delighted with the surrounding architecture and the singing of flying birds. When I just looked at your faces, I had to comment to myself on the beauty surrounding me. So I said, 'What beautiful women have stood in my way. I have truly been blessed by the gods.' "
If anything, it was Dandelion who taught him… the right vocabulary, how to express himself among ladies in such a way as to… get out of any trouble. He had used this knowledge more than once to talk his way out of trouble, in front of Triss. Sometimes it worked….
Nejire frowned. She looked at Vesemir with a mixture of concern and disbelief.
"Do you think we will forget what you looked like when you left the room?"
Vesemir tensed his shoulder muscles. He avoided their gaze. He sighed heavily, then shrugged. He said, trying to sound neutral.
"I need to practice."
Yui shivered slightly. She understood what Vesemir wanted to do.
"You're closing yourself off from emotions..."
Yui's voice wasn't accusatory... but it was filled with pain. It wasn't even her pain... it was Vesemir's... the pain this girl was trying to understand... In her opinion, it was pain woven from years of survival, loneliness, and fear of attachment.
"I don't need to talk... it won't bring back the ones you've..."
Vesemir didn't finish... if he did, his voice would break... He was breathing through his nose, rhythmically, trying to stifle his emotions.
Nejire couldn't take it anymore. She took a step forward and stood in front of him. Her gaze was firm.
"Vesemir-kohai... look at me..."
He felt that if he looked... he would burst. And he couldn't burst. He had already almost crumbled in front of everyone once. He had had enough of his own weakness. But... that voice...
Nejire repeated.
"Vesemir-kohai... look at me... please..."
Vesemir trembled. Barely noticeable, but the girls noticed it. Finally... he slowly turned his gaze in her direction.... Her gaze didn't judge... didn't blame... didn't reject...
"Nejire-sempai... don't look at me like that."
Nejire tilted her head slightly... she asked gently.
"How am I supposed to not look at you?"
".... As if you didn't.... As if you saw the good in me."
Yui came closer.
"Vesemir. You saved me then... why?"
"I did what had to be done. I took an oath to defend those who cannot defend themselves."
Yui touched his jacket....where he had been stabbed....when he had pushed her away and taken the blow. The jacket had been repaired, but the mark was visible.
"If you hadn't done that....if you hadn't pushed me out of the way..."
Vesemir shook his head.
"It...was a reflex."
Yui looked him in the eye. She said firmly.
"No. It wasn't just a reflex. A reflex is to cover yourself with your hand. You threw yourself between me and the blade."
Vesemir felt his throat tighten and his heart beat faster. He didn't want to admit the truth. A reflex. It was easier to call it that. It was more convenient because he didn't have to explain himself.
"I wasn't thinking at the time. I just... couldn't let anything happen to you."
He lied.... he knew perfectly well that he could get stabbed. He pushed her out of the way of the knife... because he saw no other way out. He reacted quickly.
Yui smiled slightly....how rare her smile was.....
"So stop pretending you have no heart."
Vesemir clenched his hands. He felt something inside him crack. Yui and Nejire...both girls were digging into the wall he had built.
Nejire looked at him carefully, feeling the moment. She gently took his hand
"I won't let you think you're alone. You may have been lonely, but you're not alone anymore."
Vesemir stared at the hand Nejire was holding. Her touch was warm, but not intrusive.
He clenched his jaw, trying to ignore what he was feeling. But he couldn't. Something was trembling in his chest. Like an echo of memories...screams, cold, blood, faces that had long since disappeared from this world. Faces he hadn't been able to save.
"I can't allow myself...to be close to you."
Yui frowned. Her voice was calm, but full of determination.
"Why? Because you're afraid of letting us down? Of losing us?"
"I'm being hunted... by people from that world... if I got here... then they can too... and then they'll hurt you... to hurt me... that's how it's always been..."
Nejire narrowed her eyes. A new strength appeared in her gaze, one that wouldn't let someone she cared about die alone. She took his face in both of her hands.
"Listen to me very carefully now, Vesemir... if you ever think about leaving us again, even for a second, to live alone, to leave us because it's better that way... I'll kick your ass so hard that you'll permanently leave a mark of my boot on your ass..."
Yui joined her after a moment.
"And I'll tie you to a pole and hold you while Nejire kicks you."
Vesemir looked from Nejire to Yui.... he snorted quietly and said.
"Was that supposed to be a threat?"
Yui took a step closer and hugged Vesemir from the side, not asking for permission.
"Yes. We'll torture you until you start screaming 'Oh Yui, please I've gotten smarter!' "
Vesemir raised an eyebrow, looking at Yui with a mixture of disbelief and amusement. The corner of his mouth twitched slightly. It wasn't a full smile. Nejire let go of his cheeks when he was focused on Yui.....
*Flash of light*
Vesemir blinked a few times... he looked at Nejire holding the phone in her hand.
"HAHA! I have a picture of Vesemir smiling!!!!!"
"mmmh.... send it to me. I have to show my aunt. I mean Midnight."
"Wait, I'll just set it as my phone wallpaper!"
Vesemir sighed deeply and theatrically, covering his face with his hand.
.
.
.
The atmosphere in Nezu's office was heavy. The TV screen in the background was still showing a frozen frame from the recording of Vesemir's memories. The moment when he slashed the enemy in the ribs with his sword.
Midnight sat on the couch, staring at the screen.
"This shouldn't be a fourteen-year-old's memory."
Hound Dog stood motionless, staring at the screen.
"It shouldn't, but it is. Damn, look how he defeated them. Those were years of not only training but also fighting."
Recovery Girl decided to give her opinion.
"I don't know how, but it's a miracle the boy hasn't broken down yet. It's a miracle he allowed the examination. It's a miracle he talks to us in such a composed manner."
Nezu looked at Doctor Osaka.
"Doctor. Did you manage to do what we talked about?"
"Yes. I didn't manage to make another music video like I said, but... I did manage to make... something like a movie trailer. My brother's Quirk would work better here. He can make entire episodes like a TV series."
Nezu nodded.
"Please play it for us."
Dr. Osaka did as Nezu said. She went to the CD player and inserted the CD with the music video... and trailer."
.
.
.
*Darkness. Sound of footsteps, sword slashes, crying, pleas for mercy and cut off screams. The camera shows a large wooden door in an unknown room. The camera slowly approaches the door... and after a moment it is blown up by a man with two swords. He enters the room together with another man who has claws instead of hands. After a moment the claws change into human hands.*
"Vesemir!" Geralt shouted.
Regis moved to unstrap little Vesemir from the torture device. On his back he is missing flaps of skin that were sent to his mother to break her.
The boy was barely conscious. The last thing he remembers was the sight of Triss entering.
*Next scene. We start with a view from behind Vesemir's back... his back is completely scarred. He is putting on his jacket. It is winter all around. He stands in front of a man with two wooden swords. At the edge of the training ground stands a red-haired woman and a man who helped free the boy in the previous scene. Geralt throws Vesemir a sword. Training begins. Vesemir keeps losing his sword or falling. Each time, Geralt says gently but firmly.
"Get up."
Vesemir stands up. He's breathing heavily from exhaustion... the camera zooms in on his eye. Geralt's reflection is clearly visible in it... the camera pulls back to show Vesemir, a year or two older now. He's standing on the training ground again, but this time he has a steel sword. His hair has grown. He held the sword with skill.*
*The camera changes position and now shows both of them from the side. Vesemir attacks. He cuts low, but Geralt deflects the blow and delivers a cut himself.
Lightning strikes behind them. A flash on the camera. The scene has changed. Vesemir makes the same move as during training with Geralt. He avoids the blow and beheads the Drowner. Another one comes up behind him and lunges towards the boy. He dodges....
A flash of light.
...and Vesemir dodged Geralt's blow. With a series of quick cuts, he forced his grandfather to step back. Of course, Geralt was better, but he wouldn't have taught the boy anything if his sword had swung out of his hand every time. Geralt made a quick cut towards the head, but Vesemir dodged....
A flash of light.
...Fleder's claws swished menacingly over Vesemir's head. Geralt was right next to him, securing the boy, but Vesemir continued the fight. A slash to the stomach with his silver sword, then a slash to the face. Fleder dodged, but that was Vesemir's plan. He made a sign with his hand and sent a stream of fire at the monster...
The screen ignited with fire.
...Geralt dodged the stream of fire. The exchange of blows was even faster than last time. The boy had become older. He wore an amulet on his chest and light witcher armor. He cut, dodged, used spells. They both use the same spell. Aard collides between them.
A burst of light.
The bandit was thrown against a tree. Something crunched in his back. His companion lost an arm, and a moment later his life. Geralt and Vesemir danced with swords around a dozen or so bandits. Blood was gushing around. Vesemir makes the final cut....
A flash of lightning.
.... Hitting Geralt for the first time. For the first time in his life, he managed to hit his grandfather during training. Geralt stood on his feet and looked at the cut mark on his armor. He smiled and nodded. The camera began to move away from both witchers.... revealing a training ground.... a dozen or so people watching the training.... the camera moves back further... revealing that the training ground is part of a massive castle.... a city with a massive wall is visible.... a huge port with countless ships sailing in and out....
A caption appears in the middle of the screen.
Witcher.
The screen goes dark.
*ADDITIONAL INFORMATION*
Here you have the text of the music that played in the background during the trailer along with a link to suno.com
https://suno.com/s/7R292vk2q1fXSvLl
Chains in the dark, breath barely there
Blood on the stone, too much to bear
A child of ash, broken and scarred
But deep in the fire, he forged a heart
Steel burst the doors, like thunder it came
A voice cried "Vesemir!" — he heard his name
Arms pulled him free from the edge of night
But nothing could heal what stayed inside
He was torn, he was shattered
Left to bleed in the snow
But a voice said, "Stand up"
And he rose through the woe
Blade in his hand, pain in his flame
Trained by love that never spoke its name
He's not just a sword
He's the fire reborn
He will rise
He will rise through the flame
The ghost of a scream in every strike
Every parry, every fight
He stood not to live—but to protect
The life his grandfather swore to defend
In every scar, a memory bled
But through the pain, he fought ahead
He was torn, he was shattered
Left to bleed in the snow
But a voice said, "Stand up"
And he rose through the woe
Blade in his hand, pain in his flame
Trained by love that never spoke its name
He's not just a sword
He's the fire reborn
He will rise
He will rise through the flame
And when the dusk returns again
He'll remember how it ends
Not in screams…
But in steel
And in the fire
That taught him to feel
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.
.
No one spoke for a few long seconds. Doctor Osaka began.
"What we saw... was just a snippet of his life."
No one commented.... Nezu decided to focus on himself.
What we saw was the beginning. The story of a boy who was torn away from his normal life. Despite what we had just seen, now look at Vesemir.... He could have become a common bandit and murderer, but.... He saved your niece, Midnight.... He defeated the Wraith..... He made a promise to put an end to the criminal gang... His methods may not fit in our world, but no one can deny that he thinks and acts like a hero."
Aizawa finally raised his head. His voice was dry.
"I don't know how to help him. I don't know if he'll ever call me father... I have no idea... how to help my own son."
Present Mic sat down next to his friend.
"You know Shota... I don't know if there can be a plan to help in response to what we saw.... But neither Vesemir nor you are alone in this."
Hound Dog threw advice at Aizawa.
"Don't try to be someone you're not. Be honest with the boy. Something tells me he'll sense a lie, and that will only drive him away from you and all of us."
Recovery Girl finally spoke up.
"I think Vesemir is someone who shows us that heroism comes with a choice. And he's already made a choice. He's become a hero among monsters and criminals. Now he's here, so it's our job to help him become a hero in this world too."
Midnight's phone made a sound of an incoming message. She saw a picture of Vesemir, who was being embraced by Yui and... with something like a smile on his lips. She raised her eyebrows, looking at the screen of her phone. A slight, almost disbelieving smile appeared on her face. She turned the phone towards the others and said.
"The girls just performed a miracle."
Present Mic came closer and looked at the screen. He blinked a few times.
"I can't believe it... my nephew is smiling?"
Nezu smiled warmly and closed his paws on the desk.
"Looks like we have a chance to help him."
End of Chapter 19