The Absolute Surrender

Chapter 30: Dust and Ashes

Amid the forest's desolation, Lilian opened her arms once more, her grip still tight around Marlin's bloodied heart. A wave of intense fire surged around her, engulfing the remnants of fallen soldiers and scorching the trees with fierce embers. The smell of charred flesh and burning wood filled the air, a testament to her unchecked wrath.

Kalen, battered and bloodied, could only watch in despair. His once-pristine armor was stained with crimson, and his gray hair was matted with the remains of the fallen. "Lilian, stop..." he rasped, his voice laden with pain as he saw her mercilessly incinerate everything in her path.

Lilian halted abruptly, her gaze shifting towards Kalen. She crouched, her hair cascading around her like a dark, silken shroud. Kalen reached out, his bloodied hands attempting to touch her flowing strands. "Please, Lilian, stop..." he whispered once more.

For a fleeting moment, sorrow flickered in Lilian's eyes as she lightly touched his fingertips. But the searing rage within her, like a volcano's molten core, swiftly consumed that compassion. Her cold eyes locked onto Kalen's one last time before she turned away, and her resolve hardened.

She rose and walked further, her steps deliberate as she bypassed Kalen. Her gaze fell upon Ardan's lifeless body, his once-beautiful face now a mask of death. The damage inflicted by Marlin was evident, and Lilian felt a pang of grief. She continued, finding Obene next. Her heart grew heavy as she gently touched his face, brushing aside his hair and feeling his cold, lifeless flesh. Pain pierced her chest.

"Leave her body at once!" Roma's commanding voice thundered, his staff striking the ground with a roar.

Lilian turned slowly, her demeanor unruffled by his show of power. She scrutinized him from head to toe, her eyes glinting with challenge and provocation. A cruel smile curved her lips. "Ah, the sorcerer who trapped me for so long. I should hate you for meddling with Aelle's incantation and taking his body. But I forgive you. You provided the perfect host. The years of waiting have finally borne fruit," she said, her arms wide in acceptance of her dark power.

"She is not for your taking! Release her!" Roma demanded again.

"You cannot command me. How dare you! If you want this body back, take it by force," she taunted, her voice dripping with malice.

With a forceful blast, she hurled a surge of dark energy towards Roma, scattering it through the forest. "And this body is so powerful too," she murmured, laughing darkly.

Roma reacted swiftly, his staff meeting Lilian's magical assault. He dodged her attacks but was grazed by a stray magical ball. The confrontation was fierce; Lilian's flames and Roma's countermeasures clashed in a deadly dance. Roma struggled to find a strategy against the dark lord's overwhelming power.

"Don't be a cowardly sorcerer. Fight me with all your might," Lilian taunted, her fire flickering menacingly around him.

"Lilian, I know you are in there..." Roma shouted desperately. "You are stronger than this. Fight the dark lord. You must reclaim yourself," he pleaded, hoping to pierce through her malevolent haze.

Her laughter echoed, cold and unfeeling. "She has abandoned all reason. Her fury consumes her, and soon I will own this body forever. Give up, sorcerer. You cannot save her," the dark lord's voice sneered.

"Lilian, listen to me!" Roma implored again.

With a sudden burst of strength, Lilian seized Roma, exposing him to the open. He stumbled and struggled as she tightened her grip around his neck. Despite his efforts, he could barely breathe. His vision blurred as he tried to reach Lilian's mind, touching her forehead with trembling fingers.