The Absolute Surrender

Chapter 6: Fragments of Fate

Lilian's fear grew stronger as they entered the Kingdom of Timura. The town before her was a scene of devastation. Its once lively streets were now just burned ruins. Thick, choking smoke filled the air, making every breath a struggle. Flames flickered through the wreckage, casting a ghostly light over the charred buildings and scattered debris. Her stomach felt sick as she took in the destruction, her heart pounding with the weight of the scene.

"This is awful, Kalen," Ardan said, his voice full of sadness.

Kalen, alert and tense, heard a faint, raspy sound nearby. He moved carefully, parting the tall grass with his sword ready for any danger. Lilian's fear increased as she clung to Kalen, her heart racing.

They stopped suddenly when Kalen cleared a path through the thick foliage. Lilian gasped when she saw a small child lying on the ground, shaking and hugging himself tightly. Without hesitation, Lilian got off her horse and approached the child with a gentle manner.

"Shhh... It's okay," she said softly, crouching beside him. "I'm Lilian. We're here to help you. What's your name?"

The child, his face streaked with tears, looked up with wide, scared eyes. "I'm Alre," he said, his voice shaking.

Ardan got off his horse and knelt beside the boy, clearly worried. "What happened to your village?" he asked softly.

The boy sniffled, trying not to cry. "The bad men came in the night and burned everything. They killed everyone, but the dark-haired man saved me," he said, his voice breaking.

"Please don't hurt me..." were his last, desperate words before he collapsed into Lilian's arms, exhausted.

Lilian wrapped her cloak around Alre, holding him tightly. She looked at Kalen and Ardan with pleading eyes. "Please, we need to help him."

She glanced at the destruction around them. The scene was more than she had ever imagined, and her heart ached for the child. Though she felt helpless, she was determined to do something—anything—to help.

As she held the boy close, Lilian wondered if she had the strength to make a difference. The weight of her thoughts was heavy, but she knew she had to try.

Kalen gently lifted the unconscious boy and carried him to his horse. Ardan helped Lilian onto her saddle. As they continued on their way, Lilian kept looking at the boy in Kalen's arms.

"He will be fine, Lilian," Ardan whispered to her. Lost in her thoughts and the tragedy she had seen, Lilian had almost forgotten how close the king of Silla was.

"That boy is now an orphan, all alone. It's so sad," Lilian said. Ardan put his hands on her shoulders in a comforting way, showing he understood.

"We'll find him a safe place to stay," Ardan promised softly. "Even though this war is beyond our control, I feel for those who suffer because of it. They don't deserve this."

Lilian noticed the serious tone in Ardan's voice, so different from his usual way, and it made her realize how dire their situation was.

She sighed. "I know I'm not in a position to say this, but could we let Alre stay with us?"

Ardan was silent for a moment. Lilian hesitated but decided not to push the issue. The path they were on was quiet, surrounded by thick woods and tall grass, adding to the eerie silence. Lilian felt a sudden chill as the temperature dropped. Ardan's arms wrapped protectively around her.

"Be careful, Kalen," Ardan called out.

Suddenly, a sharp, relentless ringing filled Lilian's ears, causing intense pain in her head. The high-pitched sound seemed to cut through her thoughts, making her scream in agony. Her head throbbed with each pulse of the noise, making it hard to breathe as her body spasmed uncontrollably.

Kalen's worried voice broke through the chaos. "What's happening?"

"It's the forest!" Ardan shouted urgently as he tried to calm her. "Lilian, Lilian!" His voice seemed to stretch and blur as darkness started to close in.

"It's too painful, please help..." she cried out one last time before losing consciousness.

When Lilian woke, her head ached painfully. She groaned, trying to open her eyes to a distant, dim light. Weak and unable to move, she lay on the damp ground as rain continued to pour. The warmth of the earth was a small comfort.

"Is she awake now?" Ardan asked.

"Little dove, how are you feeling?" Kalen's worried voice reached her.

She wanted to speak but found herself unable to. It was the same paralysis she felt when Kalen had found her in the forbidden forest.

"What's happening to her?" Ardan asked a hooded figure who approached them. He was holding the boy they rescued. The man's brown, baggy hooded coat extended to his ankles, hiding his face in shadows.

Kalen and Ardan exchanged uneasy glances as the man, rumored to live on the edge of the dark realm, slowly approached. Both brothers had hoped to avoid the forbidden area, but they found themselves drawn to this ominous cave.

"What do the king and the prince of Silla want from me? Curious..." the man mused, more to himself. Ardan and Kalen watched as the stranger moved deliberately, ushering them into the cave.

"Are you the wise man from the North?" Kalen asked.

The stranger paused. "I have many names, but some call me wise for my vision that defies understanding. Are you here seeking clarity for this human?" he asked bluntly.

"Yes, we need to know if she is indeed the prophecy," Ardan confirmed.

Suddenly, the candles inside the cave extinguished, plunging them into darkness. Kalen's grip tightened around Lilian as the darkness engulfed them. Alre, wide-eyed, remained silent, too frightened to make a sound.

"Ah, the prophecy of dust and ashes..." the man intoned mysteriously. He raised his arms, revealing a symbol on his right arm—an unfamiliar marking, a sign of the dark lord, forbidden in their realm.

Kalen hesitated, but the man's voice cut through his uncertainty. "Don't trust only what your eyes show you. Sometimes, the truth lies beneath the surface."

Resolute despite his doubts, Kalen gently laid Lilian on a rocky bed. The candles reignited magically, bathing the room in a warm, steady glow. Lilian struggled to open her eyes and move, her limbs feeling leaden. The wise man approached and touched her hand, sending a curious warmth through her.

"Curious..." the man said. "Red fiery hair, tangled between three bonds of blood." He asked, "Where did you find her?"

"I found her unconscious in the forbidden forest," Kalen explained. "She claimed she was transported to our world. Do you understand what that means?"

"It was her destiny," the wise man replied. "Sent to the human realm to remain hidden. She has endured suffering from an early age, yet her heart remains untainted."

"What does that mean?" Ardan demanded.

"In time, all questions will be answered," the man replied cryptically. "The stars will align, and the three bonds of blood will unite."

Kalen's frustration surfaced. "You must have more answers than this. We've traveled far seeking clarity, yet all we receive are more questions."

The man's smirk remained, indifferent to their distress. "My visions are murky at best," he said with a chilling calm, "but one truth is clear: she is of immense value. Guard her with your lives. The darkness grows stronger by the minute. She could be our salvation—or our destruction."