The Witcher season 3 part 2 might see a controversial change in Ciri (Freya Allan), as the Princess of Cintra could be using fire magic. After expanding with an animated prequel movie and a prequel miniseries, the universe of Netflix’s The Witcher is back to the main series with its third season. The Witcher season 3 was split into two parts not only due to narrative reasons, as it covers some key events in the stories of Geralt of Rivia, Yennefer of Vengerberg, and Ciri, but because this is Henry Cavill’s final season as Geralt. The Witcher season 3 is being treated as an event, and it will see the characters go through important changes.
The Witcher season 3 finally sees Ciri, Geralt, and Yennefer together as they do their best to stay safe while different groups across the Content want to capture Ciri. The Witcher season 3 Part 1 ended with the beginning of the Thanedd Coup, and the trailer for Part 2 has already shown that Ciri, Geralt, and Yennefer will be separated again. Ciri’s journey won’t be easy, and it seems like she will be breaking an old rule of magic in season 3’s final episodes: the use of fire magic.
Ciri Seemingly Uses Fire Magic In The Witcher Season 3
The Witcher season 3 is based on the novel Time of Contempt, and so far, it has been quite loyal to the book – or, at least, a lot more than previous seasons. The trailer for The Witcher season 3 Part 2 shows that the final episodes will continue telling events from Time of Contempt, such as the battle in Aretuza and Ciri using a portal that takes her to the desert of Korath. In one particular, though brief, moment in the trailer, Ciri is seen touching fire, with her hand surrounded by it, hinting at the Lion Cub of Cintra using the forbidden practice of fire magic during her time in the desert. Of course, the biggest questions are why Ciri would use fire magic and the consequences that this will have on her.
Does Ciri Use Fire Magic In The Witcher Books Or Games?
In the books, video games, and the Netflix series, Ciri is trained by Yennefer in order to control and better use her magic. Although the sorceress makes sure to teach the Princess of Cintra about the dangers of some types of magic, Ciri ends up using fire magic at one point in the books. While in the dangerous and lonely desert of Korath in Time of Contempt, Ciri does her best to find a way out but ends up wandering around in circles. Ciri is on the verge of dehydration and starvation when she comes across a unicorn that she starts calling “Little Horse”. The unicorn guides her through the desert to find water, but it’s later poisoned by a sand monster that was hiding in the desert.
In order to save her new friend, Ciri uses the Force found in the element of fire, even though she has been told by Yennefer that fire magic is forbidden. Ciri heals the unicorn with fire magic while other unicorns observe, and though they are not pleased with the use of this type of magic, they decide not to kill Ciri for saving one of their own. Of course, using fire magic has consequences on Ciri, who goes unconscious and has pyromantic visions that try to get her to take revenge on those who had abandoned her and done her wrong, but she relinquishes this power. In The Witcher video games, Ciri doesn’t use fire magic, and instead relies on other skills and abilities.
Why Fire Magic Is So Dangerous In The Witcher
In order to perform magic in the universe of The Witcher, the user needs energy commonly referred to as Power, Force, or Chaos. Most mages and sorceresses draw Power from the four elements – air, water, earth, and fire – but like many other things, using Power or Chaos comes with a prize. Fire magic is a forbidden practice along with demonology and necromancy, and it’s because of its all-consuming nature, while the other elements can be destructive and creative. Using fire magic has different effects on those who cast it, but as Rience explained to Jaskier in The Witcher season 2, in order to channel it, you have to sacrifice something, and it’s a heavy price.
The mages working for Fringilla and Nilfgaard paid the price with their lives during the Battle of Sodden Hill, Yennefer lost her connection to chaos after channeling fire magic during that same battle, and Rience sacrificed his soul in order to continue using this type of magic. In order to channel fire magic, the user has to lean into the negative forces within them, hence why Yennefer used her rage to bring the fire. Yennefer’s loss of powers led to her temporary corruption, while Rience fully gave in to it, and it’s to be seen what will be the price for Ciri if she uses fire magic in The Witcher season 3 Part 2.