Chapter twelve
No more tears...
The night was still, with the only sounds was that of crickets chirping outside the window and rustle of blankets coming from Kiko's bed. The young sorceress tossed and turned in bed until she suddenly sat up in a cold sweat; face drenched and bangs soaked to her brow. As her dual colored eyes glancing around the room frantically, she tried to catch her breath and calm her burning nerves. She'd had another dreaded nightmare; one which had ended with a blade through her chest. All she did was walk down what felt like a winding corridor, seemingly seeking out someone in the nightmare before turning one corner only to be pierced by a steel sword. She'd been having that nightmare at least weekly by now but she didn't tell anyone about it.
It was so strange and frightening that Kiko simply kept it to herself, standing from the bed and making her way out to the hallway and then downstairs. She seated herself in Geralt's chair pondering over what the dreaming meant this time. Why was she looking for someone and just who was it she was trying to find? Why did a figure plunge a blade through her chest even? What if she wasn't seeking someone but just trying to find a way out? The dream wasn't clear about it. Just a long winding, right turning corridor and the blade in her chest suddenly when she turned a corner…
"What are you doing up?" The sudden whisper breaking the silence made Kiko jump and cast a spell in her hand to illuminate the dark room to find that Geralt was the one awake. He most likely heard her walk by his room. He shielded his eyes from the bright light emitted from her hand before she tossed the spell at the fireplace lighting the wood resting there.
"I just couldn't sleep anymore, dad," She sat back down. "I was going to just sit down here, think and mentally prepare myself for the exam today,"
"Don't worry too much about that examination, you'll be stressed as Yennefer if you do,"
"She still concerned about that?"
"You know she is," It's true, Yen was always wanting to protect; well more like she was overprotective of her youngest child. Now with the exams being within only a few hours it seemed Yennefer was going into overdrive with her motherly instincts.
"She'll never change,"
"Yen never has, never will. It's just who she is," Geralt yawned slightly. "Alright try not to stay up too long, you'll need rest for those exams,"
"Don't worry dad, I'll be fine," She gave Geralt a smile to reassure him as he left back upthe stairs to bed. At least it left Kiko to her thoughts as she leaned back in the chair, staring up at the ceiling and just letting out a puffed cheek sigh. At least she had something else on her mind. The exams were never talked about, no one was permitted to being they were pretty much made on the spot. It was rumored that two mages fought or that they battled a magical beast with their spells and the beast was summoned by the elder sorceresses professors. No one was certain of the information about the exams but you literally had to be in peak performance levels to pass them and get called a full fledged sorceress.
Now it was Kiko's turn to undergo them and hope she passes so that she can be what she's always dreamed of. A sorceress like her mother and if she passed she could even pick her name. Most sorceresses don't even have their birth names stating that upon entering the sorceress life they could be 'reborn' in a way they weren't before. Kiko was aware Yennefer's birth name given to her by her parents was actually Jenny and that Yennefer was a retelling type name to her original that could have been 'Jen' 'Jennifer' and so on. Instead she declared her name was Yennefer and upon her graduation she became Yennefer of Vengerberg or to some was THE lady of Vengerberg.
Some though kept their real names but simply tacted on where they were from. It was the same thing in a way for Witchers. Geralt wasn't born by that name he chose it when he became a full fledged Witcher after completing the Trial of Grasses. Sad how the Sorceress Exams had no name, unless you called them just that. Sorceress Exams. Eh seemed boring really. All the thinking soon let Kiko drift to sleep but not before a flick of her hand put the fireplace out...
"Kiko," a hand patted her cheek several times until she woke with a sleepy sharp inhale only to find Yennefer was leaning over her trying to wake her. "Get up, you need to eat,"
"Right... what time is it?"
"Three hours from the exam; it's around 9, and the exams are at noon. Now get up, you need to eat," Yennefer stepped back and headed to the table where she'd at least made Kiko a plate of eggs and sausage while sitting in the center of the table was buttery rolls in a basket. The young sorceress stood and almost trudged over like she was weighted down by sleep still, sitting down and quietly ate like everyone else at the table.
Food, a hot bath and within the few hours Kiko was practically running after Yennefer who was obviously nervous for her daughter partaking in the exam. Actually there was only five girls partaking today, the top five girls in the advanced classes with Kiko as one of them. New young mages looked up to those five girls as if they were celebrities or something but in truth it was because they respected and feared them for they were considered some of the most powerful girls. Yet now it was put up or shut up time.
Entering the school, Yennefer immediately darted away leaving Kiko in the hallway while she left to speak with the other sorceresses. The young sorceress leaned against a chilled stone wall awaiting for Triss to come find her since she was in charge of overseeing what she was to do for her exam. While waiting she watched several younger students laughing and chatting with friends. Funny thing was Kiko was so into her studies she didn't make time for friends so she sort of envied the younger kids.
"Well if it isn't little Kiko," oh god that voice... the young sorceress looked up to see Missy; yes that was her name; Missy. Sure enough she was also followed by her two lackey friends Dara and Maria. Missy was the blonde with sapphire eyes and she had a snobby attitude all the time. She was also Philippa's pupil which meant Professor Eilhart was her mentor. Like how Yennefer was Kiko's. Each young sorceress upon entering the advanced classes gained a sorceress mentor that prepared them for the exams. Missy though for some reason hated Kiko, most said it was because she was simply jealous that the Sorceresses seemed to want to pander to Kiko even though it wasn't true. They were simply protective of the young prodigy child.
"Hello Missy,"
"What are you doing here? I heard there was only five girls taking the exams,"
"Yeah I'm one of them and if I remember correctly I'm top of the class with you being the lower of the five," Kiko smirked as she watched Missy's face tint slightly red. It was true though. Kiko was the top of the class, being the best of the best as some would say while Missy was all about chasing the young sorcerers of the school. "Cat got your tongue?"
"Hey, what's going on here?" Kiko's head spun to see Philippa walk up but she wasn't faced towards Kiko, no she was focused on Missy. It was always hard to tell where her gaze was but the way her expression was said it all and she was not happy. "Go get ready for your exam, now," Missy snarled to herself before storming off before Philippa turned her head towards Kiko.
"The exams starting soon I take it?" Kiko asked. The older sorceress nodded slowly. "Then I should get going too," She went to leave when Eilhart's hand suddenly caught her forearm. Kiko looked back at the blindfolded woman with a puzzled look.
"Shed your last tears today, Kiko. Once and if you pass you'll be a sorceress,"
"And nothing is more pathetic than a crying sorceress,"
"Yennefer's taught you well,"
"I'll also get to chose my 'name' today as well won't I?"
"So long as you pass the exam," Philippa finally released Kiko's arm. "Now be off and get yourself ready," With a nod, Kiko darted off to find the where the other girls were getting ready for the exams.
She entered the large auditorium of the academy and leaned on the wall by the door looking around. There were many girls here be them for the exam or here to watch the events today but there were also several mentors, as well as sorceresses and sorcerers who didn't work within the academy but came to also watch the exams and perhaps meet future sorceresses they may end up working with. Kiko could see Margarita walking around greeting people and chatting with some of the other teachers while Triss was darting around trying to gather the girls for the exam, clipboard in hand checking off names.
Kiko's gaze moved to the auditorium itself. The stage was large; mostly used by the drama club who enjoyed putting on plays or musicals, had it's velvet red curtains drawn open and a few younger students had sat themselves on the stage edge while idly chatting away or laughing about whatever they were going on about. The audience seating was perfectly set up without a chair out of place but some of them were filled with guests and students alike. Seems the exams were more than tests, but an event to greet new full fledged magic users into the circle.
Kiko was suddenly pulled from her thoughts when Triss walked up beside her and toched her arm which made the young sorceress jump. Triss retracted her hand almost as quick as the young woman before her jumped. "I didn't mean to scare you," She said.
"It's fine I guess I'm just a bit nervous,"
"You don't need to be," Triss checked off that Kiko was present at the exam on her clipboard with a large, what seemed to be peacock feather. Attached to the clipboard was a ink jar which she'd dip her quill back into before writing down things on it. "I'll be setting up your test anyway, so just remember to breathe and use everything you've learned,"
"Have you seen my mother?"
"Yen? Yeah she was talking to Fringilla a bit ago when I saw her. Even she seems on edge about this day,"
"She's more nervous than I am about me passing,"
"You two need to stop worrying, you'll do fine," She was about to add more when a loud whistle rang out silencing the crowd roar of chatter and laughter into looking up at Margarita standing on the stage. She put her hands together, cleared her throat and started to speak.
"Good morning everyone and welcome to our lovely school, I'm very happy you all are here to witness these exams so that we may greet any and all young sorceresses with open arms into our circle. Each of our students partaking in the exam today will have one of the teachers within the school setting up an exam for them in which they will need to pass to move the second half. If they are successful in both parts they will become graduates and move on to either work within the profession or continue into more advanced studies,"
A hand lightly touched Kiko's shoulder when she noticed the familiar smell of Lilac and gooseberries. She didn't really have to turn her head but did anyway to see her mother standing there with a slight smile on her face. Kiko rested her head on Yennefer's shoulder as Margarita went on.
"So I'd like the guests to please file out orderly to the outdoor stadium area, just follow Professor Fringilla Vigo," Fringilla stood by an open door, giving a wave so everyone would know who Margarita was talking about. "While students partaking in the exams please follow Yennefer of Vengerberg to the waiting area," Good it meant Kiko didn't have to move yet until she'd have to follow her mother there.
"Waiting area?"
"It's a room enhanced with a sound proof spell so you can't hear what the other student's test was like,"
"Makes sense, like an anti-cheating thing, right?"
"Pretty much,"
"Are Geralt and Ciri going to be here?" Kiko asked. Yennefer pointed over to the crowd of guests right to where Geralt was walking with Cirilla, the latter waving back and giving Kiko thumbs up as encouragement. "Well that answers that,"
"C'mon we've to go," Kiko stood upright and sighed as she, with the other girls, followed after the raven haired sorceress to a room that had no windows but the feeling that there was indeed magic in works hiding sounds outside the barrier. Some of the girls were pacing while Missy was acting overly confident and snobby as always and Kiko was acting like herself; nonchalantly cool and level headed even if she was nervous on the inside.
After at least ten minutes, Triss came in and called out a girl's name having them follow her out of the room. The exams had begun and that didn't help some of the others there as most were ringing out their hands, pacing faster and one was repeatedly biting her thumb to a point Kiko could hear the girl's teeth clicking on her nail. Every passing minute felt like hours had gone by as one by one the girl's were led out when Triss came to get them. Two already failed and three had passed; one being Missy and the other Kiko.
The first part of the exam was a simple one a simple display of more complicated spells. Easily Kiko aced it much to the delight of her family. The second half was coming up though... who knew what that entitled seeing as that was where the two girls failed at earlier. Kiko, Missy and another girl she discovered was named Darla sat in the room waiting on pins and needles until Triss came through the door again.
"Kiko, Margarita and Philippa call for you to do part two," Yen, who was standing inside and by the door glanced up at her daughter as the young woman pushed herself off the wall and rolled her shoulders.
"Alright... let's get this over with,"
"Do your best," Yennefer said softly as Kiko made her way out the door. Once out of the barrier she could hear the roar of the guests ready to see part two of the exam. She made her way outside in the field part of the stadium, being looked down on from the stands by everyone. Most knew she was some prodigy, something she hated being considered as it made her feel everyone held her too high in standard. Either way she had to prove herself like everyone else that she was ready to be a sorceress.
"Two girls have already failed this part, Kiko. Are you ready?" Philippa called out.
No. "Yes," she stood tall, taking a deep breathe when she saw Triss summoning something. An Earth Golem or Elemental, heh no wonder the others failed. Even Witchers had hard times with these but she knew of someone other than her father or Ciri who could take one on and win by herself. Yennefer, her mother had defeated an Earth Elemental on Skellige when Geralt was knocked out by its large boulder fists.
"Begin!" Kiko saw the thing charge for her, swinging its massive fists wildly but she teleported herself out of reach just in time. The creature slammed its fists down onto the ground making a crater where she'd just been standing. Jeez did those girls also get killed or something? No, Margarita and Phillpa would have most likely stepped in before that happened.
It charged again, this time though Kiko threw her hands up creating a barrier the beast started to beat against angrily while bellowing a frightening roar. The young Sorceress held strong though and blasted the creature in the stomach with a powerful cutting wind spell. It send pieces of stone off the thing's body flying back into the stadium wall. Still though it beat on the barrier until Kiko started to see it crack like glass ready to shatter. Kiko did what she knew would help. Slamming her hands on the ground she quickly gathered dirt clenched into her hands before uttering a spell.
The barrier was about to break, she could feel it.
The dirt felt different suddenly, sharply cold and painful but still she clenched it.
Wait...
SLAM!
Wait...
SLAM!
SLAM!
Wait...
SLAM!
SLAM!
Wait Kiko, wait for the right moment!
The barrier shattered finally and the beast raised its fists up high eady to smash them down on Kiko when she threw the dirt in a spraying motion catching the creature's face making it roar and stomp backwards waving its hands by its face to clear it of the attack. The dirt was frozen and making shards of ice on it. One of the swings from the Elemental's fists caught Kiko though launching her to the right and slamming back first into the wall.
She heard people gasp sharply within the stands when she landed on her hands and knees, winded by barely hurt. Perhaps bruised, maybe that pain was a broken rib? Either way she had to get back up and fight. She did, shaking and each breath was hurting her left side. The elemental cleared its face and roared, stampeding towards the young woman who's head snapped up, blood trickling down from her one eye. People in the stands were saying things like 'oh my god!' and 'Her eye is bleeding! Stop the match!'.
She saw it.
How it'd attack her. Right hook and if it hit could knock her out being she was already in a hurting state and could never react in time to it if the beast got close. With it raging towards her she had to react now. Another teleportation moved her further away but she staggered after landing again. Falling to one knee and coughing up blood from the earlier blow.
'Stop the match! She's hurt!'
People kept trying to plead for Kiko; trying to have the exam stopped. The young woman stood though and watched the beast turn, roar and charge again...
Her hands went up, catching an orb of what could be described as grey smoke in each palm before she tossed each one at the beast blasting at its limbs. The orbs acted as binds, wrenching the arms of the Elemental back as she started to attack it's chest with more of the cutting winds making it slowly start to crumble piece by piece.
Her eye was pulsating, gushing more blood. She was over straining herself and she knew it. She used her eye's ability to tell her what to avoid; how to and now she was overdoing it with the spells. Her hands burned, her heart raced, breathing was getting labored but she'd not stop until the beast lay in ruins. Only then did she stop and hear Margarita declare she'd passed. But she had nothing left in her to celebrate when she felt one final hard pulse blast through her eye and she fell to the side passing out from exhaustion.
Her ears could hear people but they sounded distant with echoes. The one voice she could make out was Cirilla's. She'd apparently jumped down and was leaned over Kiko trying to get her to respond. Yet the young woman couldn't. She was too tired; so tired her limbs refused to move for her, but her lips did move without words though. That was until she finally passed out for now. She needed the rest. She needed it...
Later...
There were fingers, lightly stroking over Kiko's cheek before the hand moved away and brushed a few hairs from her brow. When her dual colored eyes started to open she couldn't see anything clearly but could make out the flicker of small flames nearby illuminating a room she'd been brought to.
"Kiko?" the young sorceress had to blink a few times to clear her sight as she turned towards the voice finding her family there as well as Magarita. Cirilla was seated right beside her; she'd been the one stroking her cheek as she was out. "Good you're awake,"
"What happened?"
"You passed the test, then passed out," Magarita cut in quickly.
"I... did?"
"Yes, I hope you shed your last tears today Kiko. As of now you are a full fledged sorceress like all of us and you may decide upon your name," Kiko closed her eyes and smiled turning her head back so she looked up at the ceiling.
"A name to mark the beginning of a new path in life; like a rebirth,"
"Basically yes,"
"Then I will think on it,"
"Very well, but congrats still. You passed a test two others failed. Shortly after Missy also passed but Darla did not,"
"Thanks for coming to tell me I passed at least," with a nod Margarita left leaving the new young sorceress to her thoughts. Cirilla kept silent only placing a hand on Kiko's forearm to comfort her a bit. "I didn't expect to pass that..." Kiko said breaking the silence.
"You proved how your years of training paid off; how Yennefer's tutoring worked well and just how far you've come from that scared little girl I knew to being a strong young woman,"
"Ciri,"
"Yes?"
"Don't tell mom but I had another odd dream," the proud smile faded from Cirilla's face upon hearing her younger sister was once again being plagued by another round of dream messages like she had years ago.
"What happened in this one?"
"I was in a winding hallway... it felt like there was no end in sight, all I saw was more of the hallway and when I came around a corner something impaled me through the chest, I couldn't see who did it though,"
"We should tell Yennefer though..."
"No!" Kiko sat up quickly and grabbed Cirilla's hand tightly. "Mother has had her nerves frayed enough lately, we don't need to stress her more. Please Ciri, keep this between us as we can't even tell father because mom can read his mind remember?" Cirilla could feel her sister's grip tighten more on her hand when she gave a defeated sigh.
"Very well... I won't say anything but I can't promise Yennefer won't read my mind too,"
"Just try, please,"
"I will, now hush I hear footsteps," Kiko released Ciri's hand as the witcheress moved to the door to find Yennefer there about to enter. "Oh Yen, we were wondering when you'd come see her,"
"I was a bit busy talking to the other sorceresses," Her focus moved to the young woman sitting up in the bed. "Kiko, how are you feeling?"
"I'm alive, that's what matters. Cuts and bruises will heal,"
"And your eye? I saw it bleeding,"
"It's fine too,"
"Are you sure?"
"Yes mom," Yennefer swept pass the witcheress and made her way to Kiko's side almost instantly taking her chin in hand and turning her head to get a look at the Ghost Eye. There was some dried blood staining her skin just under the lower eye lashes but otherwise it looked fine. "Mom, please stop I'm fine. I promise I am,"
"Can you still see fine?"
"Mom!"
"Just answer me," Yen's voice was stern towards her daughter, who'd lift a hand to brush her's away. Yennefer though snatched her chin back into her hand, took out a cloth dipping a corner in a water pan beside the bed upon a nightstand and cleaned the blood staining from Kiko's face.
"Yes I can see fine still, I just exhausted myself out there against that thing," She pulled her face away from Yen's grasp and stood too quickly as a rush of dizziness caught her and made her have to sit back down holding her head.
"You need rest then, you're stamina isn't exactly perfect as an older sorceress," The raven haired sorceress walked around and sat beside the young woman putting an arm around her shoulders. "Get some rest okay? You deserve it after that hard fought battle,"
"You make it look easy,"
"What fighting an Elemental?"
"Yes, even dad said you fought one by yourself in Skellige, when he got knocked back pretty hard by it,"
"I'm not a young sorceress, Kiko. It takes years of experience and training to reach higher levels of stamina to cast powerful spells or maintain them for long periods of time," Kiko sighed and lightly rested her head against Yen's shoulder. "Now have you chosen your name yet?"
"Not really, I mean so far I'm just Kiko, nothing special about it,"
"That's why you get to pick your name now,"
"Would it be silly if I wanted to be named after you?"
"No because honestly, Ciri wanted to do the same," Kiko looked up to the Witcheress who only gave a smirk and shrug.
"Heh... Kiko of Vengerberg, daughter of Yennefer... I like the sound of it," Cirilla chuckled softly. "I say it works though,"
"But I have no idea what Vengerberg is like,"
"Then perhaps Yen should take you there," everyone looked over to the door as Geralt walked in. "It's a nice place, and Yen has a business there. How do you think she has so much money aside from being a sorceress?"
"Sorceress and entrepreneur... why am I not surprised?" Kiko laughed.
"Maybe you'll be that and more one day," Yen ruffled the young woman's hair which made her protest with trying to shoo away Yennefer's hand.
"I hope so, but first I'd love to see Vengerberg. So... family trip?"
"I'm in,"
"Been a while since I've been home,"
"Been a while since I've seen your home,"
"Oh hush Geralt,"
"Then it's settled! We leave for Vengerberg maybe stay a few months as a family trip in celebration of Kiko's graduation!" Cirilla exclaimed happily while Kiko smiled and gave her mother a kiss on the cheek.
Sorry loves! I've been away due to busy life and recent medical issues!