[h2][center]Geralt of Rivia[/center][/h2]
[center]Carcass Isle[/center]
[center]Lvl 7 (142/70) -> Lvl 8 (76/80) [/center]
[center]Word Count: 906 words[/center]

[center][hider=New Strength- Mutation Resistance] Owing to Geralt's history of taking (alchemically sanitized) monster parts into himself for power prior to Galeem's combining of the worlds, he has now gained a sort of resistance to the negative effects of Spirit Fusion. When Fusing with a Spirit, Geralt reduces the effects of any weakness they may impose. Fears become general aversions, and damage vulnerabilities are reduced in severity, for example. [/hider][/center]


It was time, Geralt saw, as the other Seekers from Blue Team began gathering. Giving his swords and crossbow one final check, he stood, towering over the others. It was still a bit strange, especially after the thankfully-short lived change he'd experienced aboard the Maw, to tower over others so. He was getting more used to it, but it was still extremely strange. Some of his agility had suffered, though he hoped that as he grew acclimated to the new form, he'd be able to compensate for the differences. He assumed that his skin was thicker, and his new claws made it so that if he was disarmed, he was still a threat. 

Shelving that line of thinking for when he had the time to properly get used to being a 10-foot tall unicorn Witcher who could summon a giant cannon platform from the sea, Geralt joined the rest of the Seekers and began the descent into the heart of this godsforsaken place. 

Carefully watching Nadia as she prepared to dispatch the first of the slug creatures that they came across, he frowned when she paused, but as he caught up to see what was wrong, did the same for a moment. 

The cavern that opened up before them was massive, and absolutely teeming with flora that was, in all honesty, quite beautiful to behold. He allowed himself a moment of appreciation, before a few words spilled from his lips. "Such a beautiful bounty, hidden behind a repulsive antechamber. It seems [i]somebody[/i] didn't want to be disturbed." Turning his gaze to the worshippers, Geralt hummed. "Best not disturb them. If they're willing to let us go by, might as well do the same. Might avoid a fight that way, as well. All things considered, I'd rather not deal with all that." 

As the group carried on, Geralt kept an eye on the assorted creatures prostrated in reverence. Despite what he'd said, he still half-expected an ambush to spring any moment. Their goal had been confirmed to be at the end of the cave, the same direction these things were all pointed in prayer. It made his hair stand on end, and his blood chill just a bit. Whatever was awaiting them, it was able to do this to all manner of creatures. Either through fear, respect, or outright worship. It reminded him of the village in Skellige that worshipped a Leshen and used it as part of their rite of passage. It would seem that Galeem had chosen wisely for his Guardian. 

Oddly enough, though, he noticed Bowser break off from the group for a moment to grab a few of the fruits from the cave and start eating. Blinking a few times before admitting to himself that he could use something to eat, and fast, Geralt joined him in gathering some, his oversized claws making it slightly awkward, but still manageable. Putting a few into his mouth, he bit down and sighed in relief at the taste. "Not terrible..." He grabbed a few more and chowed down, sating himself somewhat.

Passing through, Geralt did not relax, only breaking from his watch by the sight of the terminus of the cave- and the impossible vista that replaced it. Nadia was right, this made no sense. Abhorrent creatures were one thing. Even the strange, controlled storm had some basis in reality as he knew it- but unless they'd passed through some kind of invisible portal that perfectly transported them with no side effects, they'd gone down into a cave only to find themselves at a beach with a sky above them. Impossible, indeed. 

The corpses covering the beach triggered an instinct in Geralt. Just by seeing such a concentration of corpses, his body was preparing to fight in anticipation of Necrophages of all sorts. That was enough to break him from the wondering of how this place existed as it did, and his hand went over his shoulder to draw Silver. Whatever form the Guardian took, they had to kill it. There would be no peace in this place. 

But the corpse that was still moving gave him pause, blade in hand. As it's stomach revolted and bulged, Geralt watched with caution. After a moment, when the pile of viscera burst from it, Geralt sighed in realization. They were witnessing the birth of a monster. 

As the Orphan of Kos stood, Geralt's face steeled and he drew back his sword, looking at the others. Nadia had paused, eyes glistening as she listened to the Guardian weeping. Sakura let out a few words in what he thought might be sympathy for the thing. He didn't disagree with them, and were the circumstances different, Geralt knew in his heart that he would be more sympathetic to its plight. The tears in his eyes, which he himself barely noticed, felt more like the seasonal allergies than tears of sadness. How...odd.

But, the circumstances being what they were, demanded that Geralt make the Sign of Quen as he turned back to the Guardian before them, pausing as he saw Bowser had taken the opportunity to start casually approaching the thing. "Boss?" He called out, carefully approaching. "What are you doing?" 

Looking between Bowser and the Guardian, he sighed. "We should at least try and take advantage of the situation. Take up tactical positions. Were you just going to walk up and punch it?" Geralt asked, completely missing Bowser's actual plan.