The Absolute Surrender

Chapter 15: Shattered Defenses

"How did you manage to bring us back to your world?" Lilian asked hesitantly.

Victoria's eyes grew distant as she recalled the past. "It was a stormy night when I went into labor. The pain was excruciating, but I endured it because I knew I had to protect you from Marlin. He was away at the battlefront when you were born, which felt like a divine intervention. As soon as you came into the world, I used a Babylon candle—a one-way escape route given to me by a sorcerer for a steep price. It worked perfectly."

Victoria's expression darkened. "But my relief was short-lived. Marlin's soldiers soon picked up my trail. He had marked me," she said, pulling aside her collar to reveal three large dots encircled by a sunburst—a clear, ominous mark.

"He knows my essence, so hiding was impossible. I had no choice but to abandon you. It was the hardest decision I've ever made, leaving you at the orphanage. You were just a tiny baby, but I had no alternative."

"Why am I considered a mistake then?" Lilian's voice trembled with hurt.

The older woman's eyes glistened with unshed tears. "Because it's my fault. I was selfish in wanting to hold you and meet you, even though I knew what Marlin wanted to achieve. I could have ended your life before you were even born, but I couldn't do it. I just couldn't!" She sobbed.

"Am I truly the prophecy of dust and ashes?" Lilian asked, her voice tinged with despair. King Ardan and Kalen had not been wrong after all.

The woman wiped her tears and looked at Lilian intently.

"What is your name?" her mother asked.

Lilian swallowed. "Lilian," she whispered.

The woman closed her eyes, savoring the moment. "I'm glad they gave you a beautiful name," she said sincerely, making Lilian blush.

"What is your name?" Lilian asked in return.

"Victoria," she answered with a sad smile.

Lilian silently repeated her mother's name. After all these years, she finally knew who her birth mother was, and though their meeting was far from what she had imagined, she was relieved to have some of her questions answered.

Lilian then noticed the wound on Victoria's leg, which was slowly turning gangrenous.

"Why did they chain you?" Lilian asked.

"It's a punishment. Marlin wanted to make sure I could never escape again," Victoria replied.

"Have you been in this dungeon ever since?"

Victoria nodded. "Ever since I left you at that orphanage, it didn't take long for the soldiers to find me and drag me back to the castle and straight into this prison. I've endured countless tortures because Marlin wanted to know where you were. I've borne this pain for all these years."

Lilian hesitated but then reached out to touch her mother's hand, afraid of being rejected. But Victoria smiled at her. Lilian then moved to her mother's leg, gently touching the infected wound. Victoria flinched from the pain, but Lilian felt a familiar warmth spread through her hands. The heat grew hotter and hotter until it blazed, but this time she didn't lose consciousness. She felt a powerful energy flowing through her, and she was stunned into silence.

Lilian wasn't sure what was happening, but her sole focus was on healing the wound. The thought of making it disappear was all that occupied her mind. After a few moments, she pulled her hand away, and both she and Victoria stared in shock as the wound had vanished completely.

"You didn't know you could heal?" Victoria asked, astonished by the sudden change.

"No, I had no idea I could use magic. How did I do that?" Lilian replied, bewildered.