A/N: Apparently, judging from the reviews, you all anticipated for Geolia to be Victoria's mother.
No, her story is a little more complicated than that.
And here it is...
About twenty-five years ago...
A little girl named Trina was born to a simple farmer and his wife. They weren't well off by any means, despite a quality crop, but they loved and cared for their only daughter.
A few years later, when Trina was seven, her father suddenly became incurably ill. She did her best to help her mother, who was distraught by his waning health. He had held on for month after month, promising to make it for his little girl's next birthday. Trina only wished for one thing: for her father to get well.
Sadly, he only slipped away further until finally one cold night; he passed. Trina was devastated, crying every day and night since. She was so entrenched in her own emotional turmoil that she didn't realize her mother's growing contempt. Faced with the mounting daily chores and debts, Trina was looked upon more and more as an utter burden by her mother.
One day, horrible pains plagued Trina's mother. She ran to see if she was alright; her screams heard for a mile. Upon meeting with her mother, Trina came to find out that she had in fact given birth to a baby. Her mother's nerves and active lifestyle made her completely unaware of her pregnancy; apparently conceived some time right before her husband began to get sick.
The woman who was so poor stared at the sleeping infant girl. All she saw was more labor and costliness to her already fragile situation. She came to a decision: she must get rid of the child. Trina was told to find something thick to wrap the baby in and she asked why. Her mother proceeded to tell her that she had no intention of keeping the little girl. Trina protested about simply throwing her new baby sister away.
Trina's mother slapped her hard and admonished her for being insubordinate. She then demanded that she toss the child into the river. Trina swallowed and very slowly picked up the baby and walked out the door with her while her mother rested.
Walking down the hill toward the river, Trina began to cry. She would look at the little angel who was just waking up and smiling at her older sister. Her heart was shattering; she learns that she has a sister only to kill it the next minute. Trina stood at the riverbank, holding the baby tightly. Unbeknownst to her, she was gently bouncing the baby to comfort her - she had seen other people do it before. Biting her lip, Trina's mind raced with what her mother would do to her if she didn't do what she asked.
Trina cursed herself for being so weak. But then she really looked into the olive-skinned girl's eyes and came to a realization: this was her little sister. The blood that flowed through her veins was the same as hers. They are connected; they have a bond like nothing else. If Trina let go, sending the baby into the cold racing waters; she would be done for. And that was something she was not about to allow to happen.
It may be wrong, disobeying mother; but a sister protects a sister no matter what. Besides, she was so small and so new; what has she done to deserve such a horrible end? Trina wished for a sister for a long time; playmates were not easy to come by. It killed her to do it but Trina had to make sure that she would have a good home. Even if they were apart forever, never knowing their love for each other beyond that night, that would be something Trina was going to have to live with.
"At least she would be safe," Trina thought. "At least she would not be able to remember."
Wandering into the village, Trina eyed a kindly-looking couple but she stopped in her steps - not knowing how to explain her having a child. Then she saw it. The cart full of colorful flowers. She figured someone that appreciated beautiful and precious things would pay this baby some regard. Little did she know that this cart was on its way to the castle.
Trina ran from the cart when she caught wind of the whoever's cart this was approaching.
She didn't realize that she was retreating in a different direction than when she arrived. It didn't take her long to get lost. Trina suddenly started getting scared. The sounds that she herself was making underfoot kept making her jump, believing that someone or something was following her. Trina then started to run. Before she knew it, she was in the dark forest.
The tall trees looked monstrous, their limbs looking like arms stretching out to get her. Animal noises and the wind created a cavalcade of terrifying sounds. Trina was convinced that she might just die all alone in these woods. She cried herself to sleep beneath a large oak.
Awakening to the warm sun, Trina opened her eyes and looked around. The forest was much different than the night before. The trees were lush and shady. Her skin was wet from the fresh dew on the ground. Trina saw a little movement that caught her eye. It was a dwarf rabbit. It looked at her like it was watching her. She turned her head and the critter mimicked her action.
Trina smiled and the rabbit hopped up to her.
She petted his soft fur as it snuggled close to her. Still having no idea where she was or how to find her way home, Trina was grateful for this cute rabbit. It gave her comfort. After a while, she stood up and began to walk around. She looked back periodically and saw that the rabbit was following her. Trina appreciated the company.
Something unusual was in the distance.
A wooden bridge that connected one side of a chasm to the other led to a small cottage. Smoke was coming out of its chimney. Trina picked up her rabbit friend and started to slowly traverse across the bridge. As she got closer, Trina could smell something was burning. The odor got more and more intense as she reached the door and knocked.
Nothing.
Trina pushed on the door and it opened. It was dead silence inside. Looking to her left, she could see the living room and the source of the burning. There was a stew cooking over the fireplace and it was boiling over. Trina put the bun down, letting it free to explore the house along with her. The house was completely vacant.
And so, with nowhere else to go and nobody knowing she was here; Trina stayed.
The rabbit would go away and come back from time to time as a companion. Then other animals would manifest seemingly out of nowhere; leading Trina to food. One time it was a deer that she followed to a creek with water clean enough to drink and cook with. Another occasion a flock of doves guided her to massive fruit trees. And even her rabbit friend showed the way to some delicious wild mushrooms.
As Trina began to grasp the lay of the land, the creatures intervened less and less. When she would catch glimpse of one, she would silently thank them. It was a strange feeling. She could not talk with any of the animals but there was an understanding between them.
Even the trees seem to emit an energy that Trina could tune into. After picking a peach tree enough times, she got the idea to take pit and plant a new one. She started doing that with the seeds of other trees where she acquired food. And as she did this; the arbors always bore the biggest, most colorful and tastiest fruits imaginable. The forest could have remained indifferent; it needn't sympathize with a human. And yet, the flora and fauna of this place saved her life and for that she was grateful and respectful in return.
Years pass with Trina passing the time by reading the books of whomever used to live here. Over time, she came across one book unlike anything she had heard of before. It dealt with alchemy, potion-making, communicating with the dead... she came to the startling discovery that a witch or wizard had to have lived here before. At first she was teetering between cautiousness and dismissing the text as quackery. But then she came across a badly-wounded falcon. Being careful not to injure it further, she collected it in a blanket and brought it back home.
Once there, she looked in the book for something that could heal the hurt or sick. Not knowing how to do anything medically, it was her only option. She flipping through the book and read and re-read the handwritten words very carefully. Trina went out to collect some purple berries and the leaves of a Kalvi tree which grows very wide like an umbrella (similar to a willow but with very large leaves). She returned with the ingredients and mashed them together. Then the mixture was placed in a boiling pot filled with water. Trina then added a feather from the bird that was stained at the tip with blood. The potion required a sampling of the afflicted.
After changing several colors; Trina deduced that the potion was ready. She carefully applied it once it cooled onto the falcon's open wound. The bird did not flinch but just calmly stared at her with it's piercing eyes. Trina finally recited some lines of Latin to make the whole spell coalesce. Within minutes she could hear broken bones mending. The falcon squawked from the discomfort. Soon it started to get on its feet and walk around. Trina spent the next few months taking care of the bird, feeding it and checking on its flight feathers.
Now that they've grown completely back, Trina put up her arm and the falcon perched on it. She went outside and raised her arm to release the falcon. It flew majestically and within seconds was out of sight. She knew then she wanted to learn even more about magic.
Over the course of her formative years into her adulthood; Trina had become quite proficient in what would constitute "the black arts" but she swore to never use magic in a malicious way. For her, it was just another tool for survival. But occasionally, she would use it as a way of looking into the world outside the great woods. When she learned how to see visions in standing water, Trina conjured up the courage to ask of her mother. Upon learning of her death shortly after giving birth to her sister, Trina immediately scrapped the idea of seeing what became of her too. She would rather not know for certain because she can still hope that her baby sister is still alive.
Somewhere.
Deciding that there was nothing out there for her, she got rid of the only relic left from her old life. One day, she left "Trina" behind and began to refer to herself as Geolia. Trina was a frightened little girl whose one act of good led to stupidly losing her way. Instead, she saw herself as Geolia - the witch of the mystical forest. Her skills as a master of magic is only outdone by her deep roots with the nature all around her. Despite not having any ill will per se, there was no doubt she was a force to be reckoned with.
And should the right antagonist come along to threaten her, Geolia would not hesitate to defend herself.
But this wasn't her life that hung in the balance. And it did not help Geolia that she was totally unprepared for the revelations to whose life it was that Noxymis brandished in front of her.
"So, Geolia" the man teased. "Do we have a bargain, or not?"
"You are lying," she shook her head.
"See for yourself," Noxymis insisted, holding out one of Victoria's arms still keeping a firm grip on her. "Go on."
Geolia thought about it and touched the girl's hand and read through her memories. Vague imagery of a flower cart and her face was the earliest Victoria's mind could remember. Geolia was convinced and she admitted to herself that the resemblance to her mother was uncanny. But she still could not believe it.
Never in a thousand years would Geolia think that she would come face to face with her little sister. After all this time, there she was. And she was in terrible danger.
"So what will it be?" Noxymis, the patience in his voice dissipating.
Geolia breathed deeply and reached for the blue crystal from atop the mantle. Holding her palm open, the jewel levitated on its own and flew slowly to Noxymis' grasp. Grinning devilishly, he said "Why thank you Geolia. I am glad you came to your senses."
"Now let her go," Geolia demanded.
He nodded, "Oh, I will."
With a swift motion, Noxymis stabbed Victoria in the chest and throws her to the floor.
"NO!" Geolia screams as she fell to the floor to help her.
"Sorry, my dear. But I had to make sure that you would not follow me."
Geolia looked up to glower at him. "There is no hole deep enough for you to hide from me," she threatened.
"I have no reason to hide," Noxymis taunted. "In fact, I think everyone will soon know my name."
Cackling maniacally, the darks sorcerer vanished.
Victoria could hardly understand what was being said and to whom; he had done something to her to make her weak. And now all she feels is pain and all she sees is darkness.