Beginning: Victoria
Chapter 15
"Home so soon?" asks a voice coming from behind him.
Zenith turns around and smiles.
"How did you find me?" he asks.
"You think because I'm blind I don't know when my own brother is near?" asks the girl smiling. "My senses have always been better then yours."
Zenith guides his sister to the top of a large deserted construction site and tells her everything. He tells her about Sira and why he had returned.
"What are you going to do?" she asks.
"I'm going to stay away from her," he says. "As far away from her as I can."
"Why?" asks his sister. "Are you afraid of what she might become?"
"I'm..."Zenith tries to find the right words. "I'm afraid of what I might have to do."
His sister understands and says nothing more on the subject.
"They are coming," she says.
"What?" asks Zenith.
"The beasts... They are coming here," says the girl. "There has been an evacuation order. I was on my way to see my husband at work so we could leave together."
"I will speak to dark lord at once," says Zenith. "Go and take cover somewhere safe."
"Please be careful," she says. "And Zenith, remember... Someone will do the job you refuse to do, sooner or later."
Zenith knows she is right and he also knows how dangerous the dragon's spirit can be. The only case he had seen was Sira's father and the power he had witnessed that day still sends chills down his spine. He sees a flash in his mind of Sira in the forest; it was very similar, but not as strong. The cases he had helped investigate were cases of out of control spirits, was it even possible to control? There are legends which talk about men in the past who were gods amongst men because of their immense powers and ability to control the spirit of a dragon. Whether those stories are true or not, he never found out.
Zenith guides his sister through the streets where men and women scurry to take shelter in subways and underground hideouts. He has always admired his sister's strength and acute senses. She is able to avoid the people and obstacles without his aid. After the encounter with the dragon knight so many years ago, they had both been badly injured. He sees a flash of the dagger in his mind and becomes choked up emotionally again. If he hadn't done what he had done, he would have lost much more then a training partner. On that thought he looks over at his sister. The only time he is able to find peace for his past actions is when he looks at her.
Zenith's sister parts ways with him as they reach the weapons shop. Her husband is working there and they would be able to find a safe place to hide. Zenith holds her tightly before running off. He is about to join the defensive line when he crosses paths with Dark Lord. The leader has his 2 best rogues with him, Tesh and Serin. They stop and exchange looks. Dark Lord looks sympathetically at Zenith and takes him aside.
"Zenith," he says. "I give you leave of absence from the protection council on this particular case."
Zenith is surprised.
"What do you mean?" he asks.
"The case of the spear girl that was on your team," he replies in a hushed voice.
"But why?" he asks.
"Son," he says. "It is of no secret to me that what happened when you were a child still bothers you."
Zenith feels embarrassed for the sudden pity from the greatest rogue in town.
"But sir," he goes to say...
"Zenith," says Dark lord cutting in. "It is a job we must do in order to keep the treaty with Perion. It is something we must do to protect the lives of others. In this case it was wrong to have you put into an undercover operation, especially with someone that has relation to the man we exterminated years ago in your presence. It was your sensei's orders, he thought it would make you stronger, harden your emotions more, make you realize your full capacity. He believes in your incredible abilities as do I, he only chooses ways that are not always the best for you to express them. I stood aside and let him do what he pleased. However... Seeing you return here angered I stepped in. I took you off the case."
"I ..." says Zenith. "I don't know what to say."
"Say nothing," says Dark Lord.
"Thank you," he answers. "What are my orders, sir?"
"It is my duty to command you to return to your team and follow the general orders," says Dark Lord. "However, if you choose not to do so...join the defensive line and be cautious. We are not dealing with an ordinary foe. Reports have come in... I believe you already know who it is we are dealing with."
Zenith is confused.
"What do you mean?" asks Zenith.
"I mean," says Dark Lord. "The description that came from Ellinia seems a lot like the description you gave us in Sleepywood."
Zenith's eyes widen and a chill runs down his back. It couldn't be... Dark Lord approaches Zenith and whispers.
"A word of caution," he says. "We are dealing with a being not from this land... do not allow him to see your full capabilities unless necessary."
"What do you mean?" asks Zenith. "You know what this man is after? You know who he is?"
"Just listen to what I have told you," says Dark Lord, returning to the side of his men.
Do not show his full capabilities, Zenith ponders? Why couldn't he? Zenith is confused. Zenith watches the leader all clad in black turn from him, he wonders for an instant if that was a smile he had received from him from under his black semi mask.
The thought of his sensei crosses his mind and Zenith curiously catches Dark Lords attention before the leader of kerning leaves the area.
"Sir," he says. "Just out of curiosity, where is my sensei? I would like to apologize for earlier."
"Your sensei," says Dark Lord not turning around to face Zenith. "Your sensei is carrying out the duties I relieved you of...he has left for Perion"
Zenith's mind is flushed with a ton of thoughts at once. He closes his eyes and before he can realize it, his body is moving. He is walking. Walking very fast. He is running. Running north ...North towards Perion.
