章節 9: Endless dreams

Reima wakes up the next day and sees that he is the only one present, the Arie and Erik must have left earlier. He ignores the other vacant beds as he heads to the dining room Vesemir requested them to meet up.

He gets there and sees Arie and Erik already seated waiting for him with Vesemir standing at the head of table.

"Reima, come and sit." He gestures towards one of the vacant seats on the table. The only other Witchers present are Geralt and Eskel who seem to be making something in the kitchen.

Vesemir "I am sure you are all weary about the trials but I am sorry to admit that you can't stop now, I have already set up the Trial of the dreams in the laboratory but we have more pressing matters for now. We will conduct a funeral for those we lost yesterday, afterwards we will continue with the trials... But for now you need to eat your fill due to the amount of strain this trial puts on the body, even if it's just a bit, it will help."

Reima can see Eriks fists squeezed so tightly they have gone white.

Arie "What will we be eating?"

Vesemir "You will have the pleasure.. Or perhaps displeasure of eating Geralt and Eskels cooking, I don't know whether they have improved or not over the last time they cooked for me almost half a decade ago." He chuckles receiving glares at Geralt and Eskel who are bringing plates stacked high with eggs, meat and cheese.

Geralt "Would you like to cook instead my liege" He says sarcastically to Vesemir.

Eskel "You know what they say, never insult the man who cooks your meals. Eat up kids, trust me, You'll need it."

The three young boys proceed to devour everything in site, the terrible tasting wild herbs and mushrooms making what's prepared taste like ambrosia mixed with happiness.

An hour passes with the boys squeezing all they can in their stomachs, they finish and sit back with a breath showing their bloated bellies.

Vesemir "Good?"

"Good" The three reply simultaneously

Vesemir leads everyone north east of Kaer Morhen to where Aubry, Lambert and Frank have prepared pyres. To the side 17 cloth-wrapped bodies were lain, Vesemir had taught the proper rights earlier in the year, possibly predicting such an outcome beforehand.

Reima approaches the bodies with a stack of flowers in his arms, followed by Erik and Arie. Reima and Erik trying to stifle their sniffles as they decorate the bodies with flowers they had picked or been given. The Witchers finish preparation and watch on at this sad scene.

After they had covered their friends in different coloured flowers of all kinds they stepped back and watched on as the Witcher respectfully lifted the bodies onto the pyres.

Eventually candles were lit and everyone was facing the pyre, Vesemir stepped forward and spoke in some language Remia's didn't understand.

Vesemir "And so we bid farewell to those who faltered on the path." Vesemir spoke those words bitterly or perhaps self mockingly."

The surrounding Witcher use Igni to light parts of the pyre which caused it to gradually envelop their friends. Erik looks on tears streaming down his face as he said farewell, the others holding up a strong persona and didn't give a hint of emotion.

2 hours later

After the funeral rights were completed the three were lead into the laboratory for the 3rd trial. Three devices that looks suspiciously like torture racks were placed a good distance between each other as a number of bubbling instruments sat at the side.

Erik held Reima's hand as they approached and were given an idea of what would happen.

Vesemir "This trial, while not as deadly as the last is the one that truly makes one become a Witcher. Unlike the last trial that was relatively painless, this one will leave you conscious as your organs melt, muscles tear and strengthen and your genetic code rewritten."

Erik shakes as Vesemir describes just what is about to happen to them. Arie shows an emotionless facade but it doesn't hide the fear in his eyes. Reima who knows that he will survive is weary of the pain and worried about the others.

They strap each boy into the restraints as they prepare to administer the mutagens.

Erik "We will be alright... Right Reima?"

Reima doesn't know how to respond to a child that may or may not die within the hour...

Reima "Mmm, we will."

Erik gives a fearful smile and closes his eyes as the needles pierce his skin. Reima feels like these are larger than those they use for flu shots.

Reima looks to the side at Eskel who is beside him. "How was it during your trial Mr Eskel?"

Eskel looks grimly at Reima and speaks quietly. "Painful. You know why they call it the trial of dreams? Because most don't wake up. Good luck kid."

Reima was about to retort but feels unimaginable pain rocket through him as what feels like fire and brimstone races through his veins. His body shudders and his legs shake as he involuntarily moans in pain. Erik on his left is howling in pain as he shakes and twitches against the restraints.

Reima closes his eyes as he feels like they are melting in his eye socket, his muscles make funny noises similar to a rope being strained under enormous weight.

His bones feel as if they were being hollowed out and filled with lava, he grits his teeth almost making them crack and chip under the pressure.

Eventually the screaming stops, Reima quietens down and notices Erik has stopped as well. He opens his eyes to find everything blurry, looking to the side where Erik was he sees his humanoid shape still lying on there breathing heavily. Looking around he spots what should be Eskel and asks him to undo his restraints, Eskel does just that and releases him and he falls to the floor.

He picks himself up with surprising ease and wobbles over to Erik, blinking his eyes to focus a little his breath catches in his throat.

There lying on the rack Erik previously laid is a misshapen creature with limbs too long to suit it's body and half it's face and torso melted and melded to the rack.

Reima looks at Geralt and Vesemir who looks even more downtrodden at the results.

Reima "Is this... Erik?"

They almost jump at the quiet voice.

Vesemir frowns and nods as he looks at me.

"R-rre-reim" Erik's heavily muted form speaks in a whisper.

Reima "Erik... Do you hurt?" He whispers back.

Erik struggles to get words out as his melted lips bleed from the effort. "Y-y-ou lied."

The shock of this statement almost topples Reima over as Geralt catches props him up, tears start flooding down his cheeks and he sobs out. "I did, I'm sorry... Forgive me."

Erik's eyes look like the abyss due to the pupil unnaturally expanding, he looks as deeply as he can and gasps out in a final painful breath. "I fo-rgi-ve y-ou" He manages to splutter out before finally slumping into the rack.

Reima cries into Geralts chest as Arie stumbles up and places his hand on Reima's shoulder to comfort him.