"Wayne, are you alright?" Triss asked, her voice weak as she regained consciousness. She saw Wayne cradling her, his face pale and blood staining his lips. She reached out to touch his cheek.
Wayne gently clasped her hand, offering her a reassuring smile. "Almost done," he said, feeding her another potion. "The evil god is nearly finished."
Triss, her strength slowly returning, looked towards the underwater palace. The five-meter tall monster was battered and broken, its tentacles severed, its black skin riddled with wounds from the witchers' blades and the freezing blasts of dimeritium. The six witchers, though weary, maintained their relentless assault, taking turns hurling bombs and hacking at the monster's flesh.
Whenever it managed to break free from the ice, attempting to lash out with its tentacles, Keira would conjure a shield, protecting the witchers and giving them time to retreat.
When it turned its attention to the sorceress, the witchers would swarm, keeping it occupied and unable to give chase. This coordinated effort, a relentless war of attrition, had severely weakened the effigy. However, the underwater environment hampered their efforts. The effectiveness of both lightning and fire magic was greatly diminished, leaving them without a decisive means to deliver a killing blow.
Though the it's body was riddled with wounds, its immense size and regenerative abilities allowed it to endure, forcing a protracted battle. Wayne grew increasingly anxious. With Triss injured and Keira occupied, only Yennefer remained to maintain the barrier, a daunting task. While the witchers seemed to have the upper hand, the situation could easily turn if the fight dragged on.
Desperate for a solution, Wayne turned his thoughts to external resources. He remembered the offensive items in his storage bag and a plan formed. Releasing Triss, he retrieved five detonation seals from the world of Naruto, an exploding arrow from the world of Diablo, and his elven shortbow, a gift from Toruviel. He carefully wrapped the detonation seals around the arrowhead.
Wayne, gritting his teeth against the pain, made his way to the edge of the barrier. He nocked the modified arrow to his elven shortbow, aimed at the struggling creature, and called out to the witchers, "Get its mouth open!"
Without hesitation, the witchers sprang into action. Lambert and Eskel, despite their injuries, attacked the creature's legs, forcing it to its knees. Vesemir and George, protected by Quen shields, engaged its claws, though they were quickly knocked aside by its immense strength.
Geralt seized the opportunity, leaping onto the creature's face and slashing at its jaw with his sword, a kick to the eye causing it to roar in pain and finally open its mouth wide.
Wayne, seeing his chance, drew the shortbow to its limit. The exploding arrow, trailing a white streak through the water, shot into the effigy's maw, the detonation seals glowing brightly.
"Get back, Geralt!" Wayne shouted before collapsing to his knees, his body wracked with pain. He had pushed himself to the limit to take that shot.
Geralt, a veteran, needed no further warning. He and the other witchers swiftly retreated from the creature.
The combined power of detonation seals and the exploding arrow proved devastating. Just as the it believed it had escaped the witchers, a violent explosion erupted from within its mouth. The shockwave, amplified by the water, shattered its head like a watermelon. Red, black, and purple gore mixed with the water, staining it a murky hue.
But before they could celebrate, Yennefer cried out, "Keira, take over! I can't hold it any longer!"
Keira, exhausted from the fight, had no magic left to maintain the barrier. Without a word, she made a quick decision, casting a spell that opened a portal within the barrier, a shimmering tear in the fabric of reality.
Everyone understood instantly and swam towards the portal. Wayne, abandoning any pretense of chivalry, scooped up Triss and rushed through first.
The portal's exit was on Black Tern Island, in the center of the lake. Wayne and Triss emerged onto the shore, soon followed by Vesemir, Lambert, Eskel, Berengar, Keira, and George.
Finally, just as the portal flickered and began to collapse, Geralt stumbled out, carrying an unconscious Yennefer in his arms.
.......
When Wayne awoke, he found himself neither in his Vizima home nor a sorceress's bed, but by a tranquil forest lake. The Lady of the Lake, a vision of ethereal beauty, reclined beside him, humming a melody. Her delicate hands, like sculpted masterpieces, rested upon his bare chest, channeling a healing energy into his wounds.
Her clear blue eyes met his as he opened them. A gentle smile graced her lips as she ceased her song and spoke, her voice like a soothing balm, "You are awake, my warrior. The Dagon has been vanquished. You have fulfilled your promise and accomplished a noble deed worthy of song."
Ding! Master level quest [Destroy the Evil God] completed. Reward: 450 experience points, a master level treasure chest.
The emotionless system notification echoed in Wayne's mind as he sat up, dazed. He was naked, his injuries healed, a warm energy coursing through his body, leaving him feeling revitalized.
"Your Majesty, Goddess," Wayne asked, his voice raspy, "Where are my companions? How long have I been out?"
The goddess cupped lake water in her hands, offering it to him. "Do not worry, warrior," she soothed. "You were unconscious for but a night. The Fisher King found you and brought you to me. Your companions rest safely beyond the forest."
Rising from the lake, she revealed her flawless form and gestured towards the water. A magnificent two-handed sword, sheathed in blue, slowly ascended. The goddess rested her hand upon it, not drawing the blade, but intoning, "My warrior, you have fulfilled your promise, accomplished a feat few mortals could achieve, and eradicated the minions of a vile god.
"If you pledge to banish evil from this world, protect justice and valor, and uphold peace, then this sword is my gift to you. It will be your loyal companion and steadfast guardian, and my hope for you.
"This sword is called Aerondight, a blade worthy of any warrior."