Episode 8 of The Witcher's second season opens with a stark image of Geralt and Yennefer, riding side by side towards Kaer Morhen in silence. Their words are as distant as the stars, especially with the weight of Yennefer's betrayal heavy on Geralt's heart. Despite her attempts to justify her actions, explaining that Voleth Meir's evil essence preys on despair and insecurities, her apologies echo in the void. Geralt remains focused, driven solely by the mission to find and save Ciri.
Meanwhile, Ciri has fallen under Voleth Meir's sinister spell, urged to strike down the slumbering witchers at Kaer Morhen. As Vesemir narrowly escapes this fate, Geralt rushes in, piercing through the facade, realizing the Deathless Mother's presence within Ciri. He demands, "Tell me what you want," but her answer is a violent slash, a defiant "no" echoing through the air.
Elsewhere, Filavandrel and Francesca receive shocking news: Dijkstra and Redania are behind the murder of their daughter. Their rage blinds them, and they rush off to seek vengeance. However, their target was not Redania. Undeterred, the elves descend upon the town, unleashing their powerful magic, leaving a trail of innocent babies slain in their wake.
With hope lost, Yennefer decides to serve as the vessel to take the Deathless Mother away and free Ciri. As Mousesack and her Mother fade, Ciri makes her choice and decides to head home. With tears stinging her eyes, she returns to Kaer Morhen and collapses.
With Yennefer now holding Voleth Meir as a vessel, Geralt calls on Ciri to use her powers to throw Yennefer into a portal. Geralt and Ciri join them though, as the evil spirit leaves Yen’s body and instead inhabits the Wild Hunt. Yes, the black riders are here and they’re intent on finding the Daughter of Chaos.
Ciri manages to use her powers to bring them back, but it’s an ominous sign of what’s to come in the next season. It also appears that Ciri’s screams awoke Voleth Meir in the first place, hence why this spirit was so interested in finding Ciri. She wanted to go home, and with Ciri able to travel across to different Spheres (like the one she took the trio to where the Wild Hunt rode toward them) then it would seem like she was the perfect vessel. Geralt though is concerned and wonders just how Nilfgaard knew about her power before anyone else.
Back in the fortress of Kaer Morhen, Yennefer and Jaskier collaborated diligently to concoct a serum, a desperate attempt to liberate Voleth Meir from Ciri's ensnared body. Their reliance solely on ancient wisdom, devoid of magic's aid, heightened the gravity of their task. Meanwhile, the remaining Witchers embarked on a relentless pursuit for Ciri.
When Geralt finally laid eyes on her, he proposed a bargain - release Ciri and take him in her stead. But the Deathless Mother, her might unyielding, summoned a swarm of Hellish beasts through a portal that materialized behind her, distracting the Witchers. Amidst the chaos, Geralt squared off with Ciri, striving to pierce through her trance.
Ciri, however, was trapped in a hallucinatory dance, her mind imprisoned within a banquet illusion where Mousesack and her parents were present. The Deathless Mother clung to her, yet Geralt persevered in his efforts to reach her. In the midst of the ferocious battle, he realized that their mutual hatred was fueling the Deathless Mother's strength.
After vanquishing the creatures, they begged Ciri, with hearts heavy, to see reason and return to them. With hope dwindling, Yennefer made a selfless decision - to become the vessel, sacrificing herself to banish the Deathless Mother and liberate Ciri. As Mousesack and Ciri's mother faded from sight, Ciri made her choice - to return home. Tears streaming down her cheeks, she stumbled back to Kaer Morhen, her strength ebbing.
With Yennefer now housing Voleth Meir, Geralt called upon Ciri to harness her might and propel Yennefer into a portal. Geralt and Ciri followed suit, as the malevolent spirit abandoned Yennefer's body and found a new host - the Wild Hunt. The ominous presence of the black riders heralded their arrival, intent on tracking down the Daughter of Chaos.
Ciri managed to harness her powers and summon them back, yet it was a foreboding omen of the perils that awaited in the next season. It seemed that Ciri's screams had initially awakened Voleth Meir, explaining the spirit's keen interest in her. Her desire to return home, coupled with her ability to traverse different Spheres, made her the ideal vessel. However, Geralt's concerns mounted - how did Nilfgaard come to know of Ciri's power before anyone else?
Amidst the turmoil, Yennefer's magic resurfaced, and she employed it to mend the wounds of her fellow Witchers. It was intriguing indeed, her magic returning as a reward for her selfless sacrifice. With the ship now seemingly secure, Geralt, though still harboring resentment, entrusted her with the vital task of mentoring Ciri in the art of magic.
However, dark clouds gathered as Tissaia and the council plotted against Ciri. They issued a bounty, targeting not only her but also anyone who stood in her defense. This tumultuous situation stemmed from the elves' massacre in Redania, driving Nilfgaard to the brink of war. Rience collaborated with Lydia, while Dijkstra relished in fueling the flames.
Unexpectedly, Istredd appeared before the elves, revealing Ciri's identity as Hen Ekeir, the bearer of Elder Blood, thus affirming her role in the prophecy. She held the potential to save them all. Tragically, Dijkstra's scout, Phillipa, overheard the conversation from her perch in the trees. She relayed the information to Dijkstra, who dispatched her to capture the bard.
Meanwhile, the White Flame, Emperor Emhyr var Emreis, descended upon Nilfgaard. Fringilla and Cahir confessed to murdering the elven infant, but in truth, it was the White Flame himself who ordered the child's demise. His entire scheme was a quest to find his daughter—Ciri. As Emhyr turned, we beheld his true identity—Duny! Without hesitation, he ordered the arrest of Cahir and Fringilla, bringing the season to a dramatic close.
