Words were unnecessary. Viktoria didn't need a reason to do what she did. Unlike with Decius, where she needed a justification, here, she needed none. Three of the five elders who entered had supported the proposal to exile her baby boy to the capital. So, she simply took advantage of that and attacked them directly. She also added the remaining two for good measure—though one of them managed to escape after a few strikes.
The fight didn't last long. Like Decius, these elders initially tried to stand their ground, but Viktoria overwhelmed them, and in the end, they surrendered of their own accord. If they had combined their strength, they might have been able to delay their inevitable fate. But her status as the First Lady played in her favor—and who was she if not someone who seized opportunities when they arose?
Viktoria's body ached like hell, but that was necessary. It served as a reminder to everyone not to cross certain lines. She could endure the pain to send a message. Some things were simply untouchable! Everyone in this damned household seemed to forget that.
Once she finished her lesson, Viktoria clapped her hands together, looking down at the four bloodied bodies piled on top of each other. She hoped that when they woke up, her lesson would be engraved into their very bones. But if not, she'd be more than happy to do it again—only slower and far more painfully. She didn't know how much her body could take, but as long as she was able, she would do what needed to be done.
Viktoria returned to her precious Deon and her maid, Yulna. Of course, she ignored all of Yulna's worries—they were unnecessary. She even warned the old maid that excessive worrying was bad for her health and would only make her even uglier. But the foolish woman wasn't smart enough to take her words as fact. If anything, she seemed to grow even more anxious for some reason. Oh well. Viktoria shrugged and went back to her baby boy. If Yulna wouldn't take her advice, she certainly would.
She remained in the training halls, exchanging words with her baby Deon. He spoke to her honestly about his troubles, and Viktoria, as his mother, provided her support—along with the push he deserved. Deon wasn't as resistant as Vierenna, and Viktoria took full advantage of that.
At some point, a group of household members entered. They avoided where Viktoria and her son sat as if it were a black hole—which was perfectly fine with her. They came to retrieve the bodies of the elders, carrying them away on stretchers to provide them with the appropriate medical care. They struggled a bit when extracting the snake, Decius. The sight was amusing. Viktoria even took the time to watch the spectacle, laughing now and then. Even her baby Deon couldn't suppress his smile, and that alone told her she hadn't failed as a mother.
Viktoria took her time with Deon, even more so than with Vierenna. He was willing to converse with his mother and didn't mind her affectionate teasing. But in the end, she had to let him return to his day. She, too, still had five more elders on her list to deal with.
So, against her wishes, Viktoria gave Deon a big kiss, restrained herself from biting him, and bid him a temporary farewell for the day.
***
After dealing with the remaining five elders, Viktoria returned straight to her room. She felt a fatigue unlike anything before—worse than even her constant pain. She had planned to have dinner with her children, but she was forced to postpone it against her wishes. Even the summons she had planned for the elders—to deliver her message more clearly—had to be delayed.
She lay in bed, her eyes tightly shut, trying to force sleep. But it wouldn't come. Though it was still early, just a little after sunset, Viktoria had always been an early sleeper—especially since her illness had begun to wear her down more and more each day. She felt as though she was losing her breath rather than her strength, but she knew the opposite was true.
Viktoria was tempted to drop the illusion surrounding her. Would that bring her some relief? But she wouldn't allow herself to. The illusion was her strength, and if she abandoned it, she would lose her drive. The illusion was her way of seeing. She didn't wish that fate upon her children, but for herself, it was simply how things were. So, she held onto it and kept trying to sleep.
She managed, somewhat, to let her mind drift into a state of numbness, though it wasn't sleep in any real sense. Still, it made her feel a little better.
A few hours passed, and with them, Viktoria began to feel a bit more at ease. Soon, sleep would come—she could feel it. She yawned, her eyes watering—that meant sleep, finally.
"Good morning, Continuum."
Viktoria's sleep vanished like a candle losing its flame at the soft voice. She opened her eyes, which now gleamed with a cold, lifeless glow—almost appearing blue.
"It's night," Viktoria stated coolly, seeming like a completely different person from the one she had been with her children. She sat up, leaning against the back of her bed, facing the figure shrouded in darkness. "Why are you here, Ashe?"
Ashe leaned back comfortably in his chair, crossing one leg over the other before answering in that same soft voice. "You are Number One. The strongest. The most knowledgeable, second only to me. And yet, you are facing your death. Why? Is there something I should know? The fate of the world may end if one of us allows selfishness to take hold."
"I have accepted my failure for a while now, and I will accept Emlyn as the candidate." Viktoria observed Ashe carefully as he remained silent. "We've talked about this. Why are you really here?"
"I am here to talk, because this may be the last time," he paused as if searching for the right words. "I know you haven't been pleased with me in these past few years, and I am here to ease some of the tension."
Viktoria remained silent, listening intently despite knowing the words were just a repetition.
"I have given your candidate a chance—chances, more than anyone else. Eighty-eight, to be exact. He did not perform well in them, nor did he persist in seeking improvement. Repetition was never the answer."
Viktoria frowned. She didn't like his words, didn't believe them to be true. But when everyone disagreed with her, she could only step back.
"Even your alliance with Eirenios led to nothing. Their bloodline died out long ago, and so did their history. They have forgotten what they once were and have become like any other household. Your experiments failed. But I suppose they were more than just experiments? You've always been selfish."
"I'm beginning to think you didn't come here to ease tensions," Viktoria said, scowling. "Are you doubting me? Now, of all times?"
Ashe placed a hand on his forehead, still shrouded in darkness. "No. I am simply worried. You were always the one who understood."
Viktoria sighed. She could understand Ashe's concerns. Even though she was displeased with him and the others, she still considered them her closest allies.
"This won't be the last time we see each other. And rest assured, I will be there when Emlyn arrives."
Ashe remained silent, but his body language showed both relief and some confusion. "Thank you, Continuum, for your optimism."
Viktoria laughed at his words as if she had heard an amusing joke. "It's not optimism. I will be there—to see with my own eyes how your candidate is supposedly better than mine."
Ashe seemed unsettled by Viktoria's promise, but he was pleased by her words and their sincerity. She was not one to lie.
"I thought mana depletion weakened its host over time. You look sick, but not weak. How many years has it been, and you're still as strong as ever?"
"About sixteen years." Viktoria closed her eyes and smiled, her mind drifting back to a certain memory. Then, she reopened them and continued. "And I can hold on for another two—with some sacrifice. And it's not mana depletion as everyone assumes. But keep that to yourself."
Ashe didn't seem too surprised by the revelation. It was as if he had expected it. And since the subject was Viktoria, there was no reason to be shocked.
"Your words are not mine to share."
Silence settled between them for a while. Viktoria expected Ashe to disappear, as he always did, but he remained seated, appearing tense.
"Is there something else?" Viktoria asked curiously. This wasn't like Ashe—he was always efficient, too serious to waste even a moment of his time.
Ashe sighed to himself and stood up. He didn't approach the window, as if afraid that the moonlight might strip him of his identity. He remained in the darkness.
"You and I know a lot, but we never truly saw eye to eye. You are the only one who knows what comes before Ashe. Meaning that despite our differences, I have always trusted you—only you. And yet, you never trusted me enough to tell me what comes after Continuum?"
Viktoria felt her heart sink.
Ashe's words were true—for the most part. She, too, had trusted him and his seriousness about their cause. But she could never tell him who she truly was. That would only ruin everything they had built together over the years.
She thought about what she could say, but nothing came to mind.
Luckily for her, a soft knock came from her bedroom door.
"Mom, it's me." It was Vierenna.
Viktoria turned back to Ashe, who was still waiting.
"I'll tell you when we meet again. Now, go." Viktoria thought she had lied to Ashe, but she felt the truth in her words.
Ashe met her gaze and seemed to see the sincerity in her.
So, he smiled faintly and said in a quiet tone, "Until we meet one last time, Number One." And with that, he vanished without a trace.
Viktoria sighed helplessly, her thoughts in disarray. But she pushed them aside—for another time. She checked the illusions on her before turning to the door with a bright smile.
"Come in, my V!"
It was time for the important conversation with her baby girl.