Two men dead.
I Pull another dagger from my waist belt, hurling it at the two men running towards me. Tilting my right leg back, I watch as the blade sinks into their necks, blood splattering across the pale floor. A sly smile tugs at my lips.
Slowly, I approach the last man, cowering, trembling, begging for my mercy.
In a blink of an eye, I shove him against the wall, pressing my favourite dagger. "You know," I mutter, tilting my head, "this is custom-made. I don't waste such precious on someone like you."
I smile, His wide eyes meet mine, I could see the fear, and I loved it.
A thin line of blood beads beneath my dagger's tip as his voice falters. "P-please… I didn't do anything wrong! I-I can tell you everything! Just don't kill me!"
I pause, raising an eyebrow.
Desperation spills from his lips, his words tumbling over each other. I listen, taking in every detail like a computer absorbing data. When he finally stops, a flicker of hope crosses his face.
I step back, releasing him. He staggers away, looking at me with gratitude. "Th-thank you," he breathes, bowing deeply. "Thank you so mu-"
My dagger flies before he finishes. Blood splatters. His body crumples.
I stroll over, yanking my blade free. "Such a waste."
I glare at my supervisor, arms crossed. "Nothing. Absolutely nothing. No leads on my parents. No answers."
Kaelzir, as calm as ever, watches me silently, hands folded behind his back. His lack of reaction fuels my frustration.
"That temper of yours won't get you anywhere," he finally says.
I scoff. "You're talking to me about temper?"
He nods, unfazed. "Regardless, well done, Zeyrithia. You never fail to impress me. Thirty men. Not even a single scratch on you."
I roll my eyes. As if he is ever surprised.
He continues, "The Noctivex Syndicate has taken notice of your efforts. They have an important mission for you."
My heart skips a beat. Then two!
A letter appears in his hand personally from them, or so I guessed. I snatch it, staring at it like I've just found a lost treasure.
"Now, Zeyrithia," Kaelzir says, voice low and serious, "this mission is a life and death situation; you cannot joke with this. One misstep, and you lose everything, including your life."
I hum in acknowledgment, barely hearing him as I tear open the envelope and scan the paper.
Zeyrithia,
We have an urgent mission for you. We expect your full cooperation. Failure will result in severe consequences. Succeed, and you shall have what your heart yearns for.
Details will be provided by Kaelzir.
I snort, holding the letter up. "Some shitty writing here."
Kaelzir rubs his temples, clearly exasperated. "Details, then," I speak softly yet sharply
He steps closer. " Well, in the further part of Sebilia, the most renowned and most popular man resides in. now this does not technically fall under what you're used to, so take it as a challenge."
I frown. "You mean the city where the most elite and powerful people live? I have no place there."
"Calm yourself, Zeyrithia."
I scoff. "They took my fucking parents, Kaelzir. How can you tell me to be calm? My search is in vain, and I don't even know if they're alive or dead!"
My voice tightens at the thought, my mind forcing away the possibility that they could be....
Kaelzir sighs. "I understand. But this is important."
I force myself to nod. "Go on."
"You have to go back to school, Zeyrithia, the most renowned aristocracy school."
My jaw nearly drops. "The most powerful academy in the world? That aristocracy school?"
He smirks. "That's right."
I shake my head. "Only people with powers are allowed in."
"And that's where the Noctivex Syndicate comes in. They'll arrange for you to get in. You'll fake your ability to manipulate air. You're skilled enough with daggers and projectiles effortlessly like it's swimming in air, so it won't be difficult."
I nod slowly. "Fine. But who's the target?"
A slow, knowing smirk creeps onto his face.
"Virethar is the target."
I inhale sharply, then let out a humorless chuckle. "The most powerful man alive. You're joking. That's like walking straight into my grave."
Kaelzir laughs. "The look on your face is priceless. No, they're not asking you to kill him. Not yet. First, you must uncover what he's been hiding for years. Only then can he be eliminated."
My brows knit together. "What exactly is he hiding? And how am I supposed to get close, even close enough to find it? Especially since i have no connection or whatsoever and I cannnot just infiltrate their home, I'm good as dead"
Kaelzir exhales. "It's not something to speak of openly. But I can tell you this, it has been a secret that has remained buried for thousands of years. A power meant to be unleashed, so even the powerless can feel a taste of it. And the key to it?"
His gaze sharpens.
"The heir himself, Draevon. His son."
I cross my arms. "So… trick him? Deceive him? Manipulate him?" I smirk. "Sounds easy enough."
Kaelzir nods approvingly. "Your beauty will work to your advantage. If he's anything like his father, he'll be drawn to you. But your white hair is rare, especially among the powerful. It will draw suspicion."
I raise an eyebrow. "So, what do I do?"
"You'll need dye it. Everything you need will be provided, assuming you do your job well, cause once you go in, you can never come back."
I laugh softly. Doubting me? What a mistake! sometimes I wonder how someone so close can doubt my abilities?, though I do not blame him; in a situation like this, anyone can have doubts.
I tilt my head. "And what do I get in return?"
Kaelzir smiles knowingly. "That's simple. It is the truth about your parents."
A slow, satisfied grin spreads across my face.
"We're on," I say, voice quiet but firm.