The Mutated One 🐺Cora Hale🐺

Chapter 9

Stiles faced the Nemeton, his hand at the ready on his sword. He could feel the shift of energy in the air. It emanated from near the tree stump. He narrowed his eyes as the others followed. "This is the Nemeton?" Geralt asked. "Yes, it's the beacon that draws supernatural creatures here." Mieczy replied nearing the large stump.

Mieczy knelt down and looked at the ground near the tree. He grabbed a clump of dirt before sniffing it. "It's here." He whispered, rising to his feet. He examined the tree. "Fireflies." Ciri pointed out looking at the bio-luminescent insect in the air.

Mieczy instinctively snatched the bug and crushed it. "Why did you do that?" Ciri asked. "This is no ordinary firefly, Cirilla." He answered opening his hand to reveal a plume of black smoke. The firefly was gone.

Mieczy faced the Nemeton before climbing atop of it, looking down at it.

He raised his sword into the air before plunging it into the center of the stump.

The tree rumbled. The cracks in the tree glowed.

"What's happening?" Geralt questioned. "Awakening the tree." Mieczy answered before yanking the blade out of the stump. He walked off the tree and watched as the Nemeton rose into the air.

"How did you-" Ciri started. "Follow." Mieczy voiced entering the tunnel leading down under the tree.

"Igni." Mieczy whispered before setting fire to a branch and used it as a torch. He held it out in front of him as he descended into the cave.

"Where are we going, Fox?" Geralt asked.

"To meet an old friend of mine," the Witcher answered before pausing for a brief moment. He looked down at the tunnel floor and knelt down. He placed his fingertips to the dirt-covered ground and closed his eyes.

He felt the rhythmic vibrations of something walking. Pacing, back and forth. He felt a buzz of electricity vibrate his body. The slight sound of metal clinking together echoed softly throughout the system of tunnels. He navigated the tunnels through the vibrations in the ground. Until he found what he was looking for.

Mieczy opened his amber cat-like eyes and started forward. "This way." He announced. Ciri and Geralt shared a look with one another before following the Fox. Cora right beside him.

Mieczy finally came to a stop at a large opening in the tunnel. He stared ahead at the being that was chained to the floor by his ankles and wrists.

The figure froze, lifting its head. "So...the tales are true....The White Fox...has come." The being voiced before turning around to face Mieczy with a wicked grin. 

"It is so good to see you again." The being stated. "Mieczy, who is this?" Cirilla asked.

Mieczy glared at the being before him. The figure smirked displaying a line of chrome fangs, that glinted from the ambient light of the flaming torch in Mieczy's hand.

"It was only a matter of time before you came to see me. After all, you need my help if you are to defeat Nilfgaard." The being sounded.

"One more word, and I remove your tongue, demon!" Mieczy snarled. "Ooh! Temper, temper! It appears that I've struck a nerve. And here I thought Witchers did not have emotions." The prisoner stated.

Mieczy placed the torch on the wall before looking back at the being.

"Mieczy, who is this being?" Geralt asked.

"I am the Nogitsune. The Void Fox. The Bringer of Chaos and Devourer of Pain." The demon answered with a devious smile.

He flew at Geralt before he was yanked back by the chains. He dropped to the ground.

"How do we destroy Nilfgaard and the Wild Hunt?" Mieczy questioned. "One does not simply receive an answer from the likes of me so easily. Come on, you know me better than that , boy." The Kitsune commented.

"Fine. Then I guess I will just remove each one of your tails until you decide to comply." Mieczy threatened grabbing ahold of one of the many invisible auratic tails that swished behind the demon fox.

The demons' eyes widened. "NO! DON'T! I'LL TELL YOU! DON'T HARM THE TAILS!!!" The kitsune begged.

"Tell. Me." Mieczy spat continuing to hold onto the tail.

"One does not defeat the Wild Hunt. One can only reroute its course," the void fox explained.

"How does one do that?" Mieczy asked. "You can't. Anyone that has tried was killed by them. You can't fight them. They're invisible to all. Even to Witchers. They serve Death and Death alone. They hunt all whose time is ending and take them out," the Nogitsune rattled as Mieczy narrowed his feline eyes.

"Sending them to everlasting purgatory," he added.

"The Wild Hunt can only hunt down physical and tangible entities, correct?" Mieczy questioned. The demon fox furrowed its black brows as its eyes widened. Mieczy smirked. "Yes, of course. The Wild Hunt can hunt all but spirits...which...is what you are. Demon Fox. That's why kitsune are immortal. The Wild Hunt can't touch you." Mieczy concluded.

"No," the fox whispered in fear.

"The White Fox saves the world from the Wild Hunt. And the only way to do that...we need you to change...into a Celestial." Mieczy explained. "Hence the name, White Fox." Stiles pointed out.

"NO! I WILL NOT!" The fox shouted, its eyes glowing bright white with rage.

"You seem to think you have a choice in the matter." Mieczy voiced. "You don't." He finished before grabbing hold of the demon's head and closing his eyes.

"NO! NO! NO! DON'T! PLEASE! I'LL DO ANYTHING YOU WANT! DON'T DO THIS! I BEG OF YOU! BOY! LISTEN TO ME! NO!" The demon cried out before a bolt of white lightning struck the Nemeton. The bolt traveled down the system of tunnels before crashing into the Void Fox.

The fox screamed out in agony before it turned into a high-pitched screech. Wind whipped through Mieczy's hair as he summoned the power. The Void Fox struggled to free himself but couldn't. Mieczy snapped open his eyes and glared at the kitsune.

The Nogitsune's scream was at a high enough pitch it was inaudible. The tunnel rumbled and shook as clumps of dirt fell from above. A bright light filled the tunnel space as the Void Fox glowed brighter and brighter. His white eyes were beams of pure light. His open mouth the same. His once dark violet aura was now heavenly gold and white. His tails the same. It was like looking at a star three inches away.

A blast wave knocked everyone to the ground. But Mieczy remained frozen in place, refusing to release the demon fox.

"Give me your power, Celestial." Mieczy snarled before the stark white kitsune possessed Mieczy with a nod. Mieczy threw his head back letting out a gut-wrenching scream. His scream carried throughout the tunnels and out into the forest above.

"MIECZY!!!" Cora shouted over the screaming Witcher in pain. "He's feeling the immense energy the celestial fox is radiating. It's bonding to his soul. Becoming one with him. Accepting him as its host." Geralt explained before the tunnel went dark and Mieczy collapsed to the floor.

"Mieczy!" Cora exclaimed running to her love dropping beside him. She held his head in her arms. "Mieczy! Wake up! Please!" Cora cried out shaking the witcher gently. Mieczy's eyes opened wide as he let out a gasp for air. Cora pulled him into a hug with a sigh of relief. "It worked." Mieczy breathed out. "Someone's got to remind Eskel to pay up when we return to Kaer Morhen." Ciri quipped.

Mieczy looked at Cora. "I'm alright, Cora." He told her cupping her face with his hands. The wolf smiled at him before pressing her lips to his. The two stayed there a moment refusing to pull away. Who would retreat for air first? Neither would give in. Until Geralt cleared his throat. "As much as I love to see your relationship...we need to leave." Geralt expressed. "Geralt, is right. We have to return to Kaer Morhen." Mieczy breathed out as Cora helped him to his feet.

"Do you wield the power to defeat the Wild Hunt?" Cirilla asked. Mieczy flexed his fingers feeling the buzz of immense power course through his veins. He nodded his head. "Then let's go." Cirilla said before the four returned to their time.