Greetings

Hey guys I'm back finally. Thought I was dead eh? Well guess what, back from the grave to stab you guys in the back with this chapter. Enjoy!

For what seemed like hours that had passed between the two, the sorceress mouth was still agaped. Despite her high intuition, it still couldn't process what the damn self proclaimed 'Ghost in the Shadow' had just said.

The raven haired mage tilted her head, her one eyebrow raised that it could almost touch the ceiling. "Do you mind repeating that again? I must've misheard you over the tavern." she did in fact heard him, however, she had to hear him say again. This man had bollocks to approach her with this information.

The Uchiha silently sighed, leaning back in his chair. "The King of the Wild Hunt schemes my very-" The Uchiha's onyx eyes widen slightly, sensing the sudden buildup of magic, he could only evade at the moment.

Quickly doing a roll of the chair and landing on all fours, he narrowly dodges a high velocity spell, it seemed like it was aimed for his jugular, a lethal hit for sure. The Uchiha glances up, his face still hidden, narrowing his eyes at the sorceress who was reading another attack, however, also seemed surprised, which in her turn, made her eyes narrow. Probably not expecting such a fast evasion; no doubt spiking her interest in the stranger. Though still holding her glare, she was already done charging her next spell, she decided to say something.

"You are the first ever being to evade one of my spells without the use of magic." getting into a stance of her own that she often used to help with the flow of magic that resided in her, she then says her final piece. "You will be the last." bringing both of her hands onto her next offensive spell, which created so much light in the room, it almost blinded her. But Sasuke had other plans.

Standing up, he let half of his face shows. "As much as I love to fight such a renowned sorceress," he said while his entire visage showed distortion, like he was as if some clone. Letting his infamous smirk show through the darkness, all this made the sorceress eyes widen at the sudden ruse. "you and I are going to have a small chat." the clone finished, suddenly disappearing with a small magical explosion, leaving nothing but a magical gleaming crystal behind, it's glyphs of Aen Elle.

As this suddenly happened before Yennefer's eyes, her senses suddenly alerted her of a presence behind her. Immediately turning on her heels with the spell still in her hand, but before she could even as much as finish her move, a pair of strong arms grabbed both wrists pulling them apart from the spell, pretty much rendering it useless now. This sudden action drew a sharp breath from the sorceress; entirely not expecting to be taken by surprise through strength and cunningness. What also surprised Yennefer was that the 'Ghost' what doing nothing else but holding her arms apart, there was no fatal blow yet. Her breath still racing, she then slowly turns her head, looking at her captor through the corner of her violet eyes.

Since they were standing next to a light source, this did little effect to hiding Sasuke's face. Another surprise overtook the sorceress. This man's features were not of this world by first glance; nor Aen Elle or Aen Seidhe.

His large almond eyes that could easily get mistaken for evlen ethnicity, though the stranger's complete blackened eyes speak of a different land he hailed from. Even his thin lips seemed forigen somehow, all of this was accompanied by a few long strands of raven darkened hair that indeed yell outworlder from Yennefer's point of view.

The two held eye contact for the passing moment before Sasuke murdered the silence with his foriegn accent. "Ne… I only want to talk, Yennefer." Sasuke quietly said with a calming voice. Though the sorceress seemed even more confused, not bothering to hide her distress that graced her face.

"Who are you, exactly?" she asked seeming more calm that the stranger wasn't here looking for a fight, if this man was from the Wild Hunt, he would've captured her or even use interrogation techniques, all this went against that; however it didn't hurt to be on guard. She continued her speech, "You can also let go of me Ghost." she asked, though sounding more of a demand than anything, she also wasn't appreciating the fact that she was being man-handled, how easily he overpowered her in a manner of seconds. However before the stranger granted her request, he got in real close to the sorceress face, unknowingly breathing down her neck that made the hairs on her neck stand up.

His foreign speech tick, making her wonder where he was from. "Daga, I would prefer that you didn't try anything, sorceress Yennefer." he finished his sentence by letting go of her arms before calmly walking back; stepping out of the light source and into the darkness.

Rubbing her wrists Yennefer turned on her heels, as she was going to say something, however she was only met with the empty corner of the room.

She parted her mouth for a few seconds 'Where in the blazes did he go to' only to hear what sounded like a bottle of wine being uncorked, she wildly turned her head to the sudden sound. Witnessing none other than a tall ghost pouring himself a glass of wine. The audacity to be drinking her wine, she was also not going to get used to his sudden disappearances, it annoyed her how easily he can slip out of her senses. She decided to make one of her infamous witty remarks.

"Not only do you break into my room and break the huge news to me, now you've the audacity to help yourself to my quarters," putting her hands on her hips as she usually does, continuing. "Does thou require a back rub, or must I run a bath for you?" she finished with an annoyed look.

Though the Uchiha was quick to add, "It's not for me." he finished, taking off his hood, that revealed his entire appearance. He glances at the sorceress who was short compared to him, his onyx eyes, calculating the female mage. This made Yennefer clear her throat, not expecting such a powerful gaze that seemed to rival the Nilfgaardian Majesty's gaze.

Though she had to make note of this man's full facial features. His long wavy hair that seemed total pitch black in this barely lit room, his defining jaw line, almost what seemed like a sharp nose, and even his posture seems foriegn to her, despite him wearing such a concealing cloak, she could tell. Like he was always in a warrior's stance, on guard, never letting his guard down. His composure, she found herself admiring for some reason, also looked odd, never fazed by the situation she put him through earlier; like he had it under control from the very beginning.

Despite him being a complete stranger, it was very rare to come across such a cunning, devious, and strong adversary who didn't attack without reason. And to be two steps ahead of your opponent. This Ghost seemed to be straight out of a fantasy novel she enjoyed reading from time to time. How a male adventurer would dominate every move his enemies threw at him and to get the woman he wanted in the end; It turned her on in her opinion, after all he was handsome.

Immediately snapping herself into reality after that last notion, she notices that she has been staring at him while he was trying to hand her the glass of wine. "My thanks." she quickly chirped, taking the glass of wine before gulping it down, making the Uchiha raise a sudden eyebrow.

'Was this sorceress well?' The Uchiha brushed off this assumption, making his way to a nearby chair; since the last one he was in was completely obliterated from the spell the sorceress casted earlier. He finally took his seat, glancing at the sorceress who seemed like she was almost done her wine. When she finished, she looked at him with wonder in her eyes. This was followed by Sasuke nodding at the chair next to him, gesturing for her to take it. He witnessed the lady named Yennefer rubbing her forehead, pacing towards the chair along with a sigh.

As Yennefer took her seat, silence greeted the two yet again, Yennefer composing herself in her seat, now looking at the ghost.

As Sasuke took his seat, he went against his code about revealing his face, however that move did seem to work in easing the sorceress. She did have her uses, though he couldn't jeopardize his future plans by announcing himself to a well connected person. That would most certainly attract more attention to his trail; acting on another alias couldn't hurt.

He was the first to break the silence; being blunt. "My name is Saboth." he simply said, making the sorceress tilt her head slightly, like she was trying to solve a puzzle. "Is that even your real name?" she asked, her voice still tense; probably because she tasted of what this man was capable of, and what was curious on what this man wanted from her.

He finally replied. "Of course not." he said bluntly.

This pissed off the sorceress, he wasn't even lying about it. The ninja added on. "Though, tell me what is it you want to hear exactly." he said making a point in his sentence that he didn't have all day; taking a small sip of water from his flask that he just pulled out from underneath his cloak. He didn't exactly feel like wasting his precious time answering endless questions. Time was money after all.

The sorceress picked up on his hastening tone. "Were you…" She didn't know how to finish that sentence. So the lost Uchiha answered for her. "Teleported here? I cannot confirm this, I've no memory prior. However..." taking another sip of water which he followed by making eye contact with the confused sorceress; he continued his story. "When I arrived here in an elven tower, I knew from the very beginning that I was different from you people." He glances off to the side, the flickering candle between them seemed more interesting than anything else; silence building up between the two.

The sorceress waited for his next words, taking another sip of her wine while holding her calculating gaze. Making Yennefer more enveloped in where the direction of his story was heading in.

The candle flickered suddenly, as if was apart of the story that was told.

"Though after arriving," Sasuke said with past revelation, continuing "then that's when the Wild Hunt appeared." he simply said, like it was trivial fairy tale.

Two days earlier, Undvik

The fog that rolled into the bay just below the village, was thicker than Sasuke realized; his foreign instincts told him so in that icy fog. Ignoring the loud chatter coming from the three Skelligians. The shinobi narrowed his eyes and glanced down on the ground they were on.

They were currently walking on ice, his frown was hidden in the fog of misery. 'We missed our turn?' the Uchiha thought, they were supposed to take a left into the mines and retrace their steps.

His ears twitched when he heard what sounded like ice cracking or the clanking of heavy armor.

Sasuke stood still, slowly swivaling his head towards the odd sounds; his eyes remaining steadfast, searching for what was there. He didn't bother trying to warn the Skelligians of his concerns. Instead he just stood there as they trailed off, listening to what sounded like white noises that the fog gave off. Like it was haunted.

The Uchiha thought to himself with a frown. He wished he had a sword.

Some ways off from Sasuke, the lost trio were walking, the two on edge while one seemed annoyed. Vigi the Loon crossed his arms, snorting. "Look Hjalmar, I just don't get how Manticore is having all the glory, I mean, weren't we the ones who did most of the work." Folan shook his dead after he heard that, while Hjalmar had a straight face, staring forward into the fog; his hand on his sword, ready.

The Loon continued. "I mean, he just shows up out of nowhere and kills the giant, sure, I'm grateful, but we were here first so I think-" Vigi was suddenly interrupted when Hjalmar came silenced him. "Quiet!" he loudly whispered to his friends, hearing something in the fog.

"Do you hear that? I hear movement." he asked with cautiousness. He suddenly looked back. "Mantic-" Hjalmar didn't finish his sentence, when he noticed the tall halfing wasn't with them anymore. 'Where the hell did he go?' Hjalmar thought to himself, which was soon interrupted when he heard the all too familiar sound of a ship colliding into ice; which sounded close.

"Shit! Everyone draw!" He yelled with command in his voice, his friends didn't need him to say it twice, they instantly made a small circle, watching each others backs. There was something off about this fog from the very beginning in Hjalmar's opinion. He couldn't even smell the ocean anymore. Instead it reeked of an odor he couldn't identify.

And that noise… There was another loud sound of ice breaking, followed by a loud creaking sound. Wood being shifted on a large scale. Which was too loud for a Skelligian longship; this one sounded like a dreadnought. The fog started to part in Hjalmar's direction, and then he saw it.

The largest sail he ever saw on a ship came into view, it was dark as the abyss, and as more of the ship appeared, it looked like armored plating on the sides of the ship that seemed impenetrable. It looked like fingernails in his opinion. Hjalmar's eyes widen at the realization… they had to run. He suddenly yelled "NAGLFAR!" turning on his heels as did his comrades, going into full sprint with what stamina they had left with no sense of direction; adrenaline pumping, this wasn't about glory, he and his friends were weakened, their safety was all that mattered to Hjalmar.

They would have another chance to fight the dreaded phantoms. He had to warn the clans of Ragnarok.

As Sasuke stood there, he tilted his head to the general direction when he heard a yell. 'Naglfar?' he danced with the elocution in his mind, how it's syllables were intense in the beginning, than how it transitioned into a calming, yet deadly manor. Ah yes; Aen Elle speech. The ninja closed his eyes, there it was again, the sudden realization of something he already knew… yet didn't. Like a surfacing memory with no recollection. It was contradicting, confusing even. Who was he exactly?

He opened his eyes, looking down at his hands, he wasn't shaking, not even with the lack of clothing and despite the cold bite of death. 'Ire lokke,' he dropped his hands, looking forward into the distant cold fog, where the Naglfar was located… where his answers were located. "Ire tedd." he silently said in elven, taking his first step forward towards answers.

His first step forward, into the darkness. For he had just closed his eyes. For he had saw one goal. For it laid in the path of perpetual torment;

Darkness.

As each leather boot made contact with the ice, it almost rhythmic, but it was masked with the piercing cold wind. You couldn't even tell where the wind was coming from, the fog was, in a way, disarray; unnatural. But none of these bothered Sasuke. The answers he needed, were but a few steps away. Or so the shinobi believed. But there was something a few steps away, in fact, the shinobi came to a standstill because the air around was being distorted, ripped even.

Pure instinct alone made him rolled to the side, as an absurdly large figure larger than him suddenly appeared, in a blinding flash of white and blue was before him with an oversized mace coming downward, smashing where he once stood, into nothing but large shards of ice. As Sasuke remained in his crouched position, he looked up to the massive clad figure. A figure who was clad in dark steel skeleton shaped armor, that had scrapes and dents from past battles, as did with the person's shield. Sasuke was a little impressed with how the dark knight was able to wield such a giant mace along with a full plate shield. How he did it was a mystery to him. And to deal with such a strong blow despite being weighed down.

Realizing he was getting distracted, the shinobi raised himself up, tencing his leg muscles incase he needed to dodge again. The dark knight however, relaxed, impressed also. "Impressive." the massive elf stated, his commanding tone; who was surprised that his attack was easily avoided. Resting his mace on his shoulder, while slightly lowering his shield; exposing more of his erie attire.

Perhaps the Wild Hunt General finally met his match. Sasuke did not show hesitation in his stance, he remained steadfast again the unknown figure. "Who are you?" the shinobi asked without emotion. This seemed to impress the General even more the foe before him did not waver, yet had bollocks to make demands. The General hummed, sounding almost demonic. "Yes… you are that we seek. Outworldly being." Imlerith grinned under his helmet, adding on. "Ae Dhu Cerbin!" which was followed by a sudden charge. He raised his shield, charging the nin at full sprint, his magical boots, giving his grip on the ice, creating cracks with each step he took; there was a slight tremor as well.

All of this put Sasuke on guard, there was no sense in running away, he knew from observation at how the giant was somehow having traction with each step he took. His boots must be enchanted. And there was no way he could out match his opponent with pure strength, not at the moment, he was still fatigued from giant slaying from earlier. He had to at least tire him out, and keep evading.

Sasuke also had to take into account that he just woke up from his eternal sleep, slaying the ice giant was a surprising feat alone however, unbeknownst to him, slaying the general of the Wild Hunt was going to be much more of a challenge. Something he wasn't going to do today.

Sauke was brought out from his thoughts when the sorceress was calling out to him; glancing at her. She had risen one her eyebrows at him. "After the Wild Hunt appeared?" she asked, slightly leaning towards Sasuke. She needed to know more of what happened, and more of what this person was in front of her; if she was ever going to trust him.

All of this made Sasuke look away with his eyes closed; taking a sip of his water. "Irrelevant." he simply said, getting up towards the door. This made the sorceress even more confused, she was supposed to get answers; getting up she walked after him, grabbing his arm to turn him.

Though the moment she touched his arm, he immediately grabbed her by the neck, pushing her up against a nearby column, making her draw a sharp breath. Holding his forearm to her throat. She didn't resist. However she made her opinion clear to him.

"Respect is a two way crossroad Saboth, I cannot help you if you are not honest with me." She said while having a slight cough in her speech, respect was indeed a two way street, if they were to benefit from each other, Yennefer was not going to be some lap dog in this scheme. She made her concerns clear through the glare she was sending him.

After Yennefer said that, it made the shinobi contemplating her words. Respecting them even. He responded

"The Wild Hunt are as lost as You and Geralt. I have been in this world for not long Yennefer and let me tell you," he leans into her face yet again, lessening the amount of strength he was applying to her throat. "I dislike being manipulated by arrogant fools such as Eredin. Prove to me that you can help discover where I am from, and I can promise you, I'll help find your Cirilla. That… is my favor. My, ambition. I give you my word."

He said with utmost determination that seemed to even impress the sorceress. How fearless he was of the Wild hunt, how not even them or anything else in this war ravaged world would deter him from achieving his goals. She admired it even.

Letting go of the sorceress who then rubbed her sore throat, she fumbled her eyebrows as he watched her. Clearing her throat after a cough or two. Sasuke finally spoke, "Our first step into finding Cirilla starts now. It won't be long before Ermion finds out the mask has been stolen." he said in a monologue tone.

However the sorceress seemed more determined than ever in finding Ciri, to have someone from the Wild Hunt itself to help her and Geralt; such a formidable person capable of giving Geralt the run for his orens, who she thought was the strongest until now. It made her confident. She quickly replied. "How can I help?" she added. Though this made the shinobi make a hidden smirk that Yennefer couldn't even pick up on.

However she did catch where his gaze landed on, it was her precious choker necklace. Her charm.

Some time after mid-night

It was quite stuffy the immense room, the library to be specific. If you were to give silence the chance to overwhelm your ears, you could hear the odd sniffle from a nose from time to time. As to who it was coming from, well, our beloved Uchiha; Sasuke. Or going by his alias, a mythical Persian creature that's a mix between a lion, face of a man, stinger of a scorpion, and twisted ox horns. A manticore, in short. Although it seemed the foriegn Uchiha couldn't care less about the stale air. Sitting in an crinkling old oak chair, too engrossed, turning the pages. Gathering all the information about Skellige. Even far as reading books about Kaer Trolde, and it's ancient architecture.

The information that he was gathering was quite the gold mine as the local miners would say. Intelligence though it was old, provided Sasuke whereabouts in regards of rivaling clans. Documentation about local livelihood and local flora and wildlife. Equipping the Uchiha with medicinal herb lessons or even simple things like wild berries as to what's okay to eat; poisons that he can even use against his enemies even. Even more documents about the world he was in, it was old, but there was a detailed map that was located in the library. This world that he felt a complete stranger too, seemed quite basic according to the lost Uchiha. As to how he knew that he was not from this world, his first clue was that he had no memory; none whatsoever, like he was just born. Aquintises from days prior confirmed this. But he still needed to gather intel on them. His looks as well, from the pictures he saw in the books about various species and races also confirmed this, he could not pinpoint his ethnicity according to his looks. So his new source of information confirmed it yet again. Back to the beginning of how he thought this world was basic. The northern hemisphere only consisted of few empires and a handful of regions. The ruling empire being of course the Nilfgaardian Empire in the southern continent, boasting a strong military with mages thrown into the mix. And their ruler being Emhyr var Emreis. A very successful ruler of a republic dominion Sasuke noted.

Just north of the Nilfgaard (region) was the Northern Realms; Kingdoms. A good accommodation of strong kingdoms being Termeria, Redania, Kerack, Kaedwen, Aedirn, Mahakam, Cidaris and the lowest region, Sodden. From what Sasuke read, on how such a large unified Kingdom fell to the starting Nilfgaardian Empire. After multiple strategic sanctions that has been placed during their rule, the economy took a huge blow for them as they were trying to buy from their southern regions competitors. And thus, couldn't fully fund a proper army nor support them with food. Two things a King hates during wartime.

But none of this peaked Sasuke's interest, nay, it was the lack of magical events that bored him, it was just feuding kingdoms fighting over pieces of land. It was things like Witchers, mages, magical creatures, or simply mythical creatures that went into near extinction that peaked his interest. Magical objects like the megascope definitely caught his interest. You had to be a fool if you didn't see the in use in these. Not too long ago he read a book about Witcher: Signs, a gift from Yennefer. An intriguing book in the shinobi's opinion. Magical abilities summoned with the flick of a few fingers all the while requiring the application of concentration and stamina.

Knowledge, that's all that mattered to Sasuke, along with finding out who he was exactly, and where he was from. There was nothing in between. This was one thing that was clear to him, gather as much information as he can, find a way to increase his power, he knew from recent experience and the fight from ice giant on Undvik, along with the Wild Hunt, that he also had limits. And the book he had just read, proved there were far superior being out here that were capable of such devastation, or even more.

A small smirk tugged at the corner of Sasuke's mouth. Such anticipation of meeting a strong opponent made Sasuke feel excited. Who could deny him such fun.

When it came to the advance side of the library, the druid who's name was Ermion as Sasuke learned, was pretty sure the old hermit would very much disapprove of him being in his private section of the library about chemical formulas that was either created or learned throughout the years.

But Ermion the Druid didn't need to know that now did he.

Turning to the final page of the book he had just read, which just an entry level book to chemistry, the Uchiha shut book at the final page which just stated the credits to whom contributed to the book. Not really mattering to him. He rubbed his nose due to the sultry air. Perhaps it was high time he digested his newfound knowledge with some fresh air. After all, he had to initiate starting stage of his grand scheme. Getting up from his seat with a small sigh, still feeling the fight from two days ago, he makes his way to the dusty bookshelf, sliding the book where it was originally located.

Which was interesting, because if you were to look around the room, it was as if a tornado swept through the room, wrecking everything in sight, and yet the lost shinobi still had the decency to properly put something away. Even if he was the one who destroyed almost everything in the room. Stepping over some debry, and smashed wooden planks, he finally made it to the entrance. After walking out he made his way through some stone corridors, and a few stairs, his old, foreign instincts alerted him of a new scent. Not stopping he continues in his tracks, tasting the scent, it smelled of earth and reeked of moss; smoked pine, it was familiar.

Sasuke hmphed, scoffing at the fact the druid thought he could catch him off guard, noticing the failed suppression of his powers. 'Ermion.' he thought to himself. In fact, he was counting on it. These next few steps in his plan had to be perfect; the sorceress, Yennefer agreed to the scapegoating. Although, Sasuke knew himself he wasn't being entirely honest. Continuing his calm pace.

Emerging from the small flight of stairs and a few more steps forward, he wasn't surprised by the fact that Ermion was standing there. What did surprise him was when the druid slammed the bottom of his staff down on the cobblestone, releasing a small amount of magic in hopes of intimidation; impressive as it was, it failed miserably in cowing the undaughting Uchiha. Sasuke did take note that Ermion was considered the most powerful of the druids, such a display of power was definitely worth taking note of, in case if he ever had to cross swords with him. He would be a fool to take him on without first gathering intel on your opponent.

To add on that even more, in such an event that a shinobi came across an unknown opponent that was capable of overwhelming you, it was considered a strategic move to retreat. And it was also risky, however rewarding, gauging your unknown opponent for abilities and weaknesses on first encounter then withdrawing for a future strike to afflict major damage in case of encountering said opponent again.

Sasuke didn't need to remember this from his past life, he was a shinobi to the core.

The nin narrowed his onyx eyes, noting the few steps the druid took towards him. Also yelling his presumptions, which were secretly true. With puffed cheeks the druid yelled. "You have some nerve being here, you half elf bastard! I felt the presence of the mask gone!" he yelled with hostility. Mere seconds pass by before Manticore smirked. "Hn, what did I ever do wrong Ermion?" he silently mocked. Which was indefinitely heard and was effective at spiking Ermion's rage.

Ermion knew himself just by that sentence alone proved Manticore stole the mask; just by the way he used that tone. All of his sense and reason was gone, he had to get the mask back. Such devastation could be summoned through carelessness. And he hated thieves, especially the ones where you invite them in your home; only to get backstabbed out of the kindness of your heart.

Gripping the old oak staff with a redding grip, he yelled again. "Oh-ho-ho, the bollocks on you, BOY!" Ermion yelled yet again, pointing his wrinkled finger at him. The nerve of this damned thieving foreigner, to steal from the very clan that took you in when you were homeless, this is why he hated foreigners. They lack the very human disciple, Humility.

"Where is the mask you thieving bastard, you fucking bastard, you souless prick you- you- you whore of A MOTHER!" he cussed, his face beyond red, facial muscles tensed. All the while reading a spell.

Sasuke made his smirk visible, "Ne, so what if I did, you old geezer?" he said crossing his arms, during the druids fuming rant, he noted a couple of well placed display swords on the wall next to him, they looked real enough for use Saske noted, he wished he brought his own but that would look suspicious on his part, possibly jeopardizing his plan; and he wasn't planning on using one either. Nay, he couldn't use a sword as he did not want to inflict damage on the old druid, after all he had to stay alive for the future. So it had to be fists.

He was ready for a fight. In fact, he was itching for one, curiosity and eagerness to test his mental against a well renowned druid. His muscles were tensing, ready to explode with a shot of adrenaline. As he was angering the druid, just up the stairs behind him, there were a couple of alleyways with benches in them for resting, he could use those small indents in the wall for cover to avoid direct blasts of magic in case of directional spells, the ceiling was high enough to support chandeliers that seemed capable of hold his weight. Another way of avoiding direct fire and can also be used to advance his position. All in all, it seemed risky but the odds were even.

The intel was worth it, and he had the element of surprise on his side. He knew from observations that he was beyond ordinary when it came to battle prowess. And to add on he did what little research he can on the famous druid, a well adept mage capable of few offensive spells, though limited, it wasn't enough in his opinion. Indeed, this battle would be in his favor and this druid didn't know what was coming. The Uchiha even dared let his confidence show through his face. Though, that move was the final part of the Uchiha to anger the old druid.

Sluggishly raising the staff, but powerfully charging the spell that was capable of piercing armor. The druid was planning on shooting it down the hallway, right between the bastards smug face, not expecting the half elfing bastard to dodge it. As the druid exhaled and squinted his eyes do to the brightness of the offensive spell, this small moment of lack of awareness made him lose sight of him, not caring if he would be there or not, the druid aimed the oaken staff and let loose of the spell; groaning from the strength of the spell that sapped him of strength. As the spell roared through the air in mere seconds, Sasuke side stepped in easily. Passing him the spell went straight into the ceiling above the stairs. Creating a loud booming sound, that was capable of inflicting permanent ear damage.

The druid huffed, gathering his breath, narrowing his eyes. Though his surprise showing, not expecting Manticore to casually sidestep his offensive attack. His mind, bewildered. 'Impossible! Dodging my attack as it was a trivial task!?" mouth slightly agaped. He was going to say something before he was cut off with a bewildering question.

The Uchiha couldn't help himself, he saw an opportunity at hand. Picking his nails while he had his other on his hip, and to top it off, all the while not looking in the druid's direction. This move indefinitely pissed off the surprised druid in his bushwhacked state.

"Ermion… I don't suppose you know how to open that vault back there, that hides Kaer Trolde's gold do you?" The Uchiha asked, knowing he won't get a full answer from the druid, however, every bit of information counts. Remembering that in a large room he entered before the library, was guarded by statues in forms of animals consisting of bears and wolves, all protecting a hidden vault door in case of thieves, pathetic really in Sasuke's opinion. And as to why he needed the large sums of money, well, he did need to get to Novigrade, and establish a spy network throughout the Northern Realms. The devious Uchiha couldn't help it.

Adjusting a few strands of his long hair.

He was on a crusade; and it was also a mission that was given to him, or so the Wild Hunt thought they did.

The druid, Ermion, was at a loss of words, nothing came to his mind after Manticore asked him that blatant question. He was right, there was a vault hidden in Kaer Trolde, but how could he come acr-

Ermion answered his own question.

He caught his breath, "You… You went through our precious ledgers?" he asked horrified, that a complete stranger went through Kaer Trolde's private lodgers that listed historical transactions throughout the kingdoms, and taxed currency from coastal villages. These bank ledgers were located in a safe which resided in the library. The very one Manticore probleby got his slimy hands on… or... was this a ruse from the very beginning? 'Was saving Hjalmar apart of his devious plan?' The old coot thought to himself.

Indeed, the druid thought to himself, this was a thief they invited in the house.

From the bank notes Sasuke gathered, there was a bank deep within the castle. All the money belonging to a Dwarven organization the Cianfanelli Bank.

After all, nothing in this world was free.

The old mage hastily summoned another spell, making the Uchiha glance his way. The druid yelled something as he let loose another spell.

"LIKE HELL I'M GOING TO TELL SOME WHORESON SON OF A WHORE!," he shot with vigor and pure hate, putting almost everything into the same spell from before, agian squinting his eyes, making the same mistake twice. "BASTARD!" he finished, letting loose, not caring for the amount of splash damage he was going to cause to the castle walls. Killing this damned thieve was worth it. As the spell roared through the air yet again, Sasuke narrowed his eyes at the nearing blue ball of death, he leaped.

As the spell hit the same place as the last one, but nearly destroying the ceiling and caving in the entrance, from Ermion's point of view, Sasuke was nowhere to be seen. That's until something caught his eye from above, his eyes widened, not expecting such an inhuman retaliation.

"What!" the druid said aloud, seeing the elven bastard standing atop of the chandeliers staring at him was, horrifying, no man or beast could do such a thing… unless he was a beast of some kind. No one could dodge his attack and be unharmed. He had questions despite Manticore being his new found enemy.

He finally caught his breath, eyeing the lost Uchiha who slightly tilted his head, who seemed like he was waiting for something. "What… are you Manticore?" he asked which seemed more like a demand than anything. This earned a smirk from the daring Uchiha.

"It's as you thought Ermion… A monster." he said coldly, than suddenly leaping for the druid, who had no reaction time. Making the druids eyes widen, whom was not expecting such inhuman reflexes.

The Uchiha inturn grabbed the druid by his neck, hoisting him up with no effort on his part. Seeming somewhat disappointed in this pathetic excuse for a fight. "I must admit Ermion… I was expecting more from this dance." the Uchiha said, eyeing the beaten mage up and down. Making the druid gurgal on his failed attempt of getting air. The Uchiha's onyx eyes narrowed yet again. He still had a plan to follow; and was also hearing a handful of guards approaching. No doubt from the noise Ermion's spells made. Tsking, he let go of the druid, which was followed by a strong punch to the druid's gut, just about making him cough up blood and his lunch. This sent him flying a couple of feet away, looking down on what he thought was a strong opponent, he glances down at the old hermit's staff. It was intriguing. Picking it up, he gives it a few glance overs. Admiring it's function and how this was his first time holding a powerful magical weapon. Though being misused to a pathetic excuse for a mage.

The Uchiha who seemed as though was acting on his true nature, commented.

"Get up." tossing the staff at the druid which than rolled on the floor towards him, echoing across the hallway, followed by a handful of coughs from the druid. The already beaten druid seemed even more determined, he reached for his staff with his bloodied hand that came from when he was wiping the blood from his mouth. Gritting his teeth due to the strength behind that one punch.

"Prick!" the old hermit thought to himself aloud, though he knew he was inferior for some reason, no doubt, wasn't giving up without a fight. Making eye contact with the tall thief, he slammed his staff on the ground, using it as support, standing up, he got into a stance for his next offence, once the druid managed to draw power from the staff he used a force push spell with his free hand, expelling a strong current of air from his free hand, he knocked Manticore who was unknowingly expecting the attack onto his back, who was currently feigning his surprise. The Uchiha even threw some words out there for added effect.

"I-impossible!" coughing up real blood. Next the druid slammed his staff down. Feeling trumpet, feeling cocky for putting the youth in his place, he commented. "After one attack your already defeated Manticore?" he said while quickly approaching the downed thieve with his staff in a readying position.

The druid felt the need to make another remark. "Humph! Even if told you how to open the vault you damned fool, you'd need my blood to open it!" The druid yelled, not realizing in the moment he just gave out information, shoving his staff into the shinobi's neck, making him wince; Sasuke coughed, all the while noting that last piece of information. Sasuke heard fast footsteps approaching, along with a powerful voice, belonging none other too Crach an Craite.

The Jarl and his men finally arrived due to the sudden noise, they were ready for anything, however, they were not ready to see they're most trusted druid, mage adviser pinning down the Manticore, the famed stranger who's kindness helped Hjalmar an Craite slay the ice giant. An explanation was surely required in this odd situation. It even made Crach's eyes widen.

He quickly came out of his stupur, "What is the meaning of this?!" he demanded. Seeing his friend pinning down a hero who saved your son was indefinitely odd, he knew Ermion wouldn't just randomly attack, although he should have kept an eye on him after going against his wishes and letting foreigner into his library. However he was his most trusted advisor, and his friend, he was willing to give Manticore the benefit of the doubt; however the odds were not in Manticore's favor by first glance.

Ermion was indeed to first to respond, still being unrelenting with his staff against the swiving thief's throat; who bit his tongue to force blood out the corner of his mouth, being bold with fiending internal injuries.

"This man Crach! He-he stole the Mask of Uroboros! I knew we shouldn't have let him in here Crach! He even had the audacity to-" Ermion didn't let him finish, everything seemed far fetched as it is. "What?! MANTICORE!" Crach narrowed his eyes, taking large steps that rivaled any large bear, he pushed Ermion off Manticore, who seemed incapacitated; looking at a very surprised Ermion, by what Crach just did.

"Thee Manticore, who saved my boy's life and even killed a giant, that Manticore?!" the Jarl exclaimed.

This made Ermion puff out his cheeks, standing up to his old friend, that no one else in Skellige could do. "Why yes Jarl, that Manticore!" Gesturing to the bloodied fool who seemed to be slowly rising on his knee. While Crach decided to defend Manticore one last time. "Humph, that's quite the claim Ermion. Why would he resort to stealing, he made positive moves to get me on his good side." Ermion was about to respond, however Crach raised his hand for command of silence.

"At least, give the boy to say his piece Ermion. I want to hear his side as well." This made the old druid face go red, feeling offended that the Jarl was not joining his side in retribution. They both looked at Manticore, who was shankingly grasping his knee for support. His voice was winded yet yielding a convincing strong sense of determination in his voice, quite appealing to old viking veterans.

"Y-Yennefer," reaching something from inside his wrecked shirt. Pulling out a small black charmed necklace with a pentagram being in the center that the sorceress was famed for wearing; shankingly holding it up to the jarl, who breathed heavily through his nose.

While Crach and Yennefer were past lovers and who sworn on his Jarl's title that he would look out for Cirilla, he did not agree to theft. Ermion's reaction was entirely different from the Jarl, his mouth was slightly agaped. 'What!' he thought eternally, not expecting that manipulation card to be played, in fact, the old hermit fell for the oldest trick in the lore book. He was about to get framed. Sasuke interrupted his thoughts.

"I t-tried to warn Ermion that the sorceress was fleeing, but" getting up using his knee as a brace for balance, he faked a couple of more coughs, which seemed to add to his helpless despair. He was going to continue however, Crach rushed to his side, catching the poor Uchiha before he fell, barking orders to his small detachment.

"Bring a stretcher! Bring him to his corders and summon the healers!" he commanded that seemed capable of making even a Wild Hunt Officer flinch. As the Clan an Craite members began to scatter while some ran up ahead, the pissed off Jarl glanced at his 'trusted advisor' that made the old hermit take a step back, who still seemed surprised.

"Crach… I" the an Craite silently cut him off,

"Not, a word, Ermion." The jarl said venomously, while glaring dimeritium daggers at his advisor. "At least make yourself useful. Investigate the damn scene."

Ermion begged. "My Jarl… as soon as I felt the presence of the mask gone, I-I came to investigate immediately-" The jarl wasn't having it. "NOW ERMION!" the Jarl finally finished, seeing a medical bed for Manticore coming.

"Once your done, alert the other Jarls, We're delaying the dinner until the next tomorrow. Cerys needs time to complete her trial." All the druid could do was nod at the command, he in all honesty couldn't make Crach see the truth. The old hermit had been outplayed by this foreigner, and he was a fool for doing so.

As Manticore was being raised by Crach, Sasuke managed to get a glimpse of the already defeated druid.

The manipulative ninja let his smirk show, a smirk that did not sit well with Ermion, like it was a foreshadowing sign of promise in the next future of despair. He gripped his staff even tighter, this was the first move in Manticore's play of cunning, he did not know or what to expect of Manticore.

'Why is he even doing this?' the druid thought to himself. What could Manticore possibly gain anymore from this, he had the Jarl's graces that could make him rich like a king, food, a home even. Ermion's eyes widen at he watched Manticore get loaded onto a stretcher which was soon taken away. Realizing Manticore's first blatant clue.

He was planning on pillaging their bank… a heist.

The room Sasuke was in, was rather poorly lit. The candles, not proving it's brighten dominance as it kept flickering; like it was on the verge of going out from the faintest wind. Although it didn't bother Sasuke, it was soothing to the eyes. Though he wishes he could say the same about his existing injuries, multiple bruises, fractured rib although not too serious, still capable of movement; thanks to exclusive access to high end healing medicinal herbs and potions thanks to the Jarl's gracses. In a manner of hours he felt capable of jumping again. However the healers made note that he shouldn't be moving around, as it was considered impossible for him too. But neither Sasuke nor the healers of Skellige, knew it was thanks to Sasuke's ancient abilities. But it was on que Sasuke was bedridden, slowly throwing the covers off his sore body, he gets up from his bed, placing his feet on the warm cobblestone floor; thanks to his faked excessive injuries, the Jarl made it a point that the healers should no matter what, keep the fireplace in his room going.

Getting up from his oversized bed, he makes his way to the dresser, opening a drawer that contained within his newly acquired leather pants; that had some studs on them, along with fur lining to keep him warm in Skellige's harshest weather. Sliding them on, he glances at his personal chest, an intriguing object that had faded metal trimmings along with a small metal skull for a padlock. He needed to do something since he didn't have the chance to do it earlier, since he was passed out. Walking across the room, while squinting his eyes as the sun was piercing the crack between the two curtains, he crouches over the chest, running his hand along it before finally coming to the lock itself. It suddenly unlocked, as if noticing it was it's owner that wanted the contents within. Unnatural for any chest that matter, like it was out of this world. It opened with what almost sounded like a hiss, the smell was that of iron.

Looking past the unnatural mask with large canine teeth, he spotted his advance mega scope crystal, picking it up, he stands up, straightening his posture with a purpose.

Activating in, a transparent bluish oval mirror appeared. A figure was on the other side, waiting for words to be spoken. Sasuke narrowed his eyes at the figure before he finally spoke.

"Caranthir," he said with a voice that could make Madara smile. "Delay the approach of the Naglfar. The humans are-" Sasuke was cut off to his annoyance by a heavily enchanted mask, caused by the helmet he wore.

"Need I remind you Sasuke that our King is not one to wait! You will gather information on Cir-" Sasuke was not going to take it.

"I'm doing my part. Make sure you do yours Caranthir." he said that last part bitterly, cutting off what was an already fuming elven mage, he deactivated the crystal, tossing it on his armor that resided within the chest. Swiveling his head at the curtains direction, he paces over to them, pulling aside the blinds to let the light in, he sighed.

This was just the beginning of his crusade. He had to find out who he was, even if it costs him to join unworldly beings.

Though at the moment he had to head for Larvik for a certain Sorceress.

Hey guys, in case some of you's were wondering why there was a gap between Sasuke leaving Undvik and arriving at Kaer Trolde… well there you have it. Anyways, lol, just want to say sorry for ghosting you guys for about a year. You know the famous fanfiction authors. We're usually busy with life. However, I'm back and I'm feeling confident in finishing this story.

Review please!