[ Geralt nods. ] The Dimming. Yes. We'd scattered by then. [ Hence the clash. Solvunn and the Cities had taken in the influx of new faces—and began to summon their own. Then sent them to the Singularity. ] As you might imagine, the Summoned who were in Thorne then remained by choice.

[ Loyalty or ambition. It isn't like that now. Of those who decided to stay in Thorne, only Yennefer is left, and he knows she stayed for Ciri. For herself, too. She's changed since—he trusts her, but he is not unaware of the desires she once harboured.

In any case, Claude is not alone in going along with the government's requests. Plenty have filed reports, sent in forms, taken assignments. Joined the army. All voluntary. He doesn't begrudge people for their choices. He simply understands that his drive to protect his family will lead him to conflict. There are things he will not compromise on. It's how he's always been.

The best he can do is make sure he has people with him, too. He's learnt he cannot do this alone.

Speaking of nightmares. ] That was the second time the Singularity exhibited an instability. The months before the first Dimming—it showed no signs of the power we've felt since.

[ Shared memories and dreams. Twisted realms in the Horizon. The emergence of beings this world calls its gods. Geralt can't be sure it's connected, but the correlation is certainly there. ]