The Enchanter

Two years later.

Serena has risen to the challenge and was nearly a fully realized mage. Her, Nera, and Uma's Ascendant ceremonies drew near.

Now, she stood on the battlements of Aretuza.

"Carefully, cupcake, or you'll lose control."

Rectoress de Vries had been privately tutoring Serena in control to enhance her magic.

Serena nodded and focused. She closed her eyes and waited.

Then, lightning crackled across the sky. Serena opened her eyes and called the chaotic electricity to her. The bolts coursed through her body, and she shook with the raw power inside of her. Taking in so much lightning without killing oneself was an unaccomplished feat for any mage. But, then Serena redirected it out of her body and back up into the stormy skies. Her body collapsed.

Tissaia stepped forward. "Cupcake?"

Serena groaned, "I'm okay."

"Get some rest. You've strained yourself, and you have a big day today, cupcake."

"Yes, Rectoress."

Tissaia helped Serena up and took her down into Aretuza. As they were making their way back down, Tissaia was deep in thought:

Serena may be even stronger and more powerful than Yennefer. She may be the one who can help save the Continent, seeing as Yennefer has gone missing.

Once Serena was back in her room, Tissaia returned to her office.

Serena curled up on her bed and closed her eyes. Sleep overtook her.

A knock at the door woke her up.

"Wha? Who is it?"

"Get up, cupcake. You have a meeting with the Enchanter."

Serena groaned but got up. She brushed through her hair and took one quick look at herself in the mirror. Then, she opened her door and walked with Tissaia to the Enchanter's room.

There, she was introduced to the man who would enchant her to look like anything she chose.

"But first," he said as he turned to Tissaia. "Where is she headed?"

Serena looked at the Rectoress, for even she didn't know what Tissaia had planned for her.

"I have not yet chosen."

The Enchanter looked shocked.

"But Rectoress de Vries, her Ascendant ceremony is tomorrow."

"Yes, I know. Just let her choose a dress."

The enchanter didn't argue with her. So, he let Serena look at the many choices that she had. There was an array of beautiful dresses. She sifted through them and finally chose one.

The mermaid dress she had chosen was a deep wine red with gold cuffs on the end of the sleeves and hemline. The Queen Anne neckline was threaded with gold thread as well.

"Ahh, a wonderful choice," the Enchanter said.

"Yes, indeed," Tissaia added. "Enchanter, prepare the herbs."

"As you wish, Rectoress."

Tissaia then left the room. The Enchanter turned to look at Serena.

"What do you want to be reborn as?"

"What?"

"I can remake you into anything or anyone. Just imagine it and project it onto the mirror. I can design you off of it."

Serena was confused. "What do you mean, 'remake me'?"

"Part of the Ascendant ritual is to be reborn. That is my job."

"So I can look like anything I choose?"

The Enchanter nodded.

Serena looked at herself in the mirror. She knew her traits marked her as Nilfgaardian, though no one had ever said anything about it. She also knew that in order to hide her past, she would have to be totally remade.

Serena closed her eyes and envisioned a new her. She imagined it appearing in the mirror. Behind her, the Enchanter smiled.

"I can work with that."

He led her over to a chair and sat her down in it. She watched as he made a concoction and handed the bowl of it to her.

"What is it?"

"Just some herbs that will put you to sleep."

"Why?"

"You're a curious one, aren't you?"

"Not always."

He laughed.

"To be reborn, you must give something up. To be reborn, you give up the chance to bear."

Serena's eyes widened.

"Are you saying that I can never have children?"

He nodded.

She bit her lip, but then drank the bowl of herbs and water. Soon afterwards, her eyelids fluttered shut, and everything went black.

When she woke back up, the Enchanter was gone. But standing in front of her was Tissaia.

"Hmm, cupcake. You chose well."

"Rectoress?"

"Yes?"

"Have you really not decided where I'm to go?"

"I have chosen."

"Where?"

Tissaia pinned her with a glare. She formed another sound barrier.

"You will not be like Nera or Uma."

"Then what is my purpose after Ascension?"

"You will leave Aretuza, yes, but not to serve a royal court. Instead, and neither the Brotherhood nor the Chapter know this, you will go and find Yennefer, Geralt, and Princess Cirilla. Nilfgaard is rebuilding its army. We need them. And you will be the one to find them."

"Wait, are you serious?"

"It is too dangerous right now to send you to any court other than Nilfgaard. And if I do that, then I would be seeming to back Nilfgaard."

"But I don't even know where the three are. No one does!"

"They're hiding from everyone, yes. But they don't know about you. You, Serena, can go anywhere because you won't be bound by the Brotherhood. You will have the freedom to go wherever you need to, at any time."

"How am I supposed to accomplish this, Rectoress?"

"You're stubborn and have perseverance. If anyone can find the trio, you can."

"But why are you putting all of your hope in me?"

"Because there hasn't been a mage that has Yennefer's capabilities in decades. Then, I sensed your conduit moment when you handed that loaf of bread over to your friend. You had unknowingly warmed up the loaf of bread with magic. You converted energy into heat without experience. That was when I knew you were capable of so much."

Serena's eyes widened.

"Is that why I have an affinity for lightning?"

"Yes. You are a Conductor. Which means that you can change electricity to energy and then energy to anything."

"Oh wow."

"Serena, there has never been a mage such as you. That is another reason why I have tried to keep you hidden from the Brotherhood. But tomorrow, you will be announced to the world. Watch your back, cupcake. You never know who will try to take advantage of you and your powers."