Beginning: Victoria

Chapter 13

After parting ways with Jaimus in Henesys, Zenith kicks his speed up a notch and hastily runs towards Kerning. Henesys has not yet been attacked but they have their strongest fighters forming a defense around the city's parameter. Jaimus had said he would stay and help in making the shelters for the town's folk until Zenith came back on his return to Ellinia.

Zenith does not wish to return and face his sensei, but he has a burning need to speak to him. There is something on his mind that he can't shake.

As the sun begins to set, the Kerning City skyline comes into view and the peaceful wooded path become bustling city streets. As he enters the city, Zenith can spot scouts along the city limits. Word of the beasts near Ellinia has spread and people scurry stocking up on food and water to bring into their shelters. Rogue fighters stand watch and prepare for the worst.

Zenith makes his way through alleyways and streets until he reaches the Jazz bar. A few people sit boozing at the bar, unconcerned with the attacks. He walks past them and enters an employee's only door. At the bottom of a set of stairs Zenith enters a room with a boxing ring, a table and a few chairs. A few assassins and bandits sit discussing tactics. Passed the boxing ring is another door marked Private. Zenith pushes open the door and comes face to face with Dark Lord, the leader of the rogue fighters. Zenith looks over Dark Lord's shoulder and sees a slender dark haired man sitting at a table in the corner.

"May I have a few words with my sensei," says Zenith referring to the man at the back of the room.

Dark Lord nods and leaves the room.

"Zenith," says the man standing. "You have returned. Why aren't you with your team?"

"I had something I wished to discuss with you," says Zenith.

He and his sensei had never seen eye to eye. Zenith does not enjoy being in his presence. A lot had happened between them in the past, a lot of things Zenith wishes he could forget.

"I don't believe in fate," says Zenith looking the man in the eyes. "And this is too big of a coincidence."

"Whatever do you mean?" he asks smiling.

"My team," says Zenith. "Why is it i get the feeling i was placed in this team on purpose?"

"Oh?" asks the master rogue. "Why would u say a thing like that?"

"It would not be the first time Perion and Kerning conspired together secretly," replies Zenith. "Or are you not aware that one of my team mates is his daughter?"

"My dear Zenith,"says his sensei. "What surprises me most is that you got to know your teammates enough to figure out who this girl is."

"You did know…" says Zenith.

"Of course," says his sensei. "It is obvious we would follow his bloodline and make sure it is clean."

"Why was I not aware of this?" asks Zenith getting madder.

"Would you have gone?" asks the man.

"Of course not," says Zenith. "You should have gotten someone else to do your dirty work. I'm not interested. In fact had I been able to find you I would have protested being in a team in the first place. I was part of the security council, my training was private."

"Zenith, you seem to be forgetting that you, yourself chose to be off of the security council. In doing so, you become a regular ranked assassin," explains the man looking tired of Zenith's outburst.

"You enjoy it, don't you?" asks Zenith more angry now. "Testing me…"

Are you scared," says his sensei? "You always were a frightened child Zenith. Your incredible talents are the only thing that have gotten you this far."

"I am not frightened," says Zenith.

"Oh?" says the sensei. "I remember quite well how frightened you were holding that dagger when we went on that particular mission."

"Rem, I was still only young," shouts Zenith addressing him impolitely by his birth name. "And I had the right to be frightened, you brought us on a mission far too perilous and my sister paid the price for your ignorance."

"Your sister lived," answers his sensei, Rem. "And you... you got to see first hand why we must do our job... you got to see the dragons spirit."

Zenith feels a lump in his throat.

"You should be honored you were appointed such a task. Not many people your age become such high ranking protection officers," continues the sensei.

"It is an honor," agrees Zenith. "However, I do not agree with some of the methods used in the past. What were we told of dragon knights? Nothing besides a little history and a few vague facts. We know nothing, we are sent to kill. I left the security council because no one could tell me what I wanted to know."

"So tell me," says the sensei changing the subject to what he was truly interested in. "What of this girl? Does she have it, the dragon's spirit...like her father?"

"I ...," says Zenith. "She's weak."

"That's not what your eyes tell me," says his sensei. "Either way... she is in your hands. The protection council of Perion and Kerning has agreed that the extermination laws remain in place. This is your task."

"I resigned," says Zenith.

"I recommended you Zenith because this is what you need," says Rem. "This is the wake up call you need to realize how you are made for this task. Only the strongest of assassins can go against the dragon's spirit. You have too many gifts; we have worked too long on you to let your strength go to waste on petty missions and regular ranked teams."

"I will not," says Zenith angered.

"You won't what?" asks Rem.

"I will not kill her," shouts Zenith turning around and putting his hand on the door to leave.

"Why would you need to kill her if she's weak… like you said… hmmm?" asks his sensei. "You know the risks; you know that if used recklessly she will become consumed completely by it... you saw that for yourself with her father. This is no time to let emotions get in the way."

"I will not kill her," repeats Zenith. "I will not kill anyone unless they are my enemy."

"Oh?" says the man. "But you helped kill her father."

Zenith opens the door to the private room and slams it shut on his way out.