FIORA: DARKNESS BEFORE DAWN

VOL 2 - Chapter 23 - The Royal's Offer

In the darkness of night, Zerou made her way through the narrow streets of Tarvernia, her lithe and agile form slipping through the shadows like a wraith. She navigated her way to the outskirts of town, her destination a seemingly old and abandoned shack. To the untrained eye, the structure appeared to be nothing more than a dilapidated, forgotten relic of a bygone era. However, Zerou knew the truth.

As she pushed open the creaky door and stepped inside, the shack's interior revealed itself to be the lavish and expansive foyer of a grand mansion. The ruse was a clever illusion, a well-kept secret known only to a select few. Zerou's ice-blue eyes narrowed in disdain as she surveyed the scene before her: a gathering of inebriated nobles, their raucous laughter echoing through the opulent halls.

"Filthy pigs," she muttered under her breath, her lip curling in disgust.

With a grace and stealth that belied her powerful presence, Zerou made her way through the throng of drunken aristocrats, her gaze never wavering from her objective. As she approached the guarded areas of the mansion, the guards instantly stiffened in fear at the sight of the notorious ice shifter. Their hands trembled as they gripped their weapons, their eyes wide with terror.

"Stand aside," Zerou commanded, her voice cold and sharp as a shard of ice.

The guards hesitated for a moment, their fear battling with their duty. But ultimately, they knew they were no match for Zerou. With a mixture of reluctance and relief, they stepped aside, allowing her to pass. Zerou continued deeper into the mansion, her mission far from over and the evening's events yet to unfold. Little did she know that her path would soon cross with that of Max, Agnes, Lucianna, and Antrodos, setting the stage for an encounter that would change the course of their lives forever.

In the dimly lit corridor, Zerou's sharp gaze met the shadowy figure that emerged from the darkness. The man, a royal dressed in expensive finery, carried himself with an air of arrogance and authority. He approached Zerou, the whispers of his silken robes barely audible above the distant sounds of revelry.

"Zerou Aurastia," the man said, his voice oily and smooth. "I have a job for you. A man of your... particular talents."

He tossed a heavy bag of gold coins in her direction, the jingling of metal echoing through the hallway. Catching it effortlessly, Zerou appraised the weight of the bag, a smile playing beneath her mask as she let out a satisfied sigh. The royal had her attention.

"Very well," she replied, her voice as frosty as ever. "Tell me about the target."

The shady figure stepped closer, his eyes flicking from side to side as if fearing unseen ears. "His name is Antrodos. A tiefling knight who appears human. Black hair, missing left arm, and with two remaining children – a son and a daughter. He is a formidable foe but eliminating him would be highly... advantageous to my cause."

Zerou's eyes narrowed at the mention of the target. She was familiar with Antrodos' reputation, a man who had proven both ally and enemy to the kingdom in the past. But business was business, and the weight of the gold in her hand was more than enough motivation.

"I'll make short work of him," Zerou promised, her tone cold and determined. With a final nod, she turned and vanished into the shadows, the weight of her new mission settling on her shoulders. Unbeknownst to her, this would be an assignment that would bring her closer to Max, Agnes, and Lucianna, and set the stage for a confrontation none of them could have anticipated.

Within the quiet confines of her home, Zerou took a moment to gaze at the family portrait that adorned the wall. Her eyes lingered on the faces of her mother, older sister, and herself, a pang of longing and regret filling her chest. The scratched-out face of her father, a reminder of the pain and betrayal she had experienced, served as a stark contrast to the otherwise warm and tender scene.