The Silent oath

Chapter 17: Tomorrow Isn't a Promise

The weight of The Faceless One's words hung heavy in Zai's mind as she returned to her duties. Their warning about the dangers of love echoed in her thoughts, casting a shadow over everything she did. Despite her attempts to focus on her training and responsibilities, the kiss with Alicent kept resurfacing, a vivid reminder of the personal connection she desperately tried to suppress. Zai threw herself into her work, her movements sharp and precise. She practised blending into the shadows, honing her skills in combat, and perfecting the use of poisons. Yet, no matter how hard she pushed herself, her mind drifted back to the night she had spent with Alicent. Every time she closed her eyes, she saw Alicent's face, felt the warmth of their kiss, and remembered the soft promises they had shared. The inner conflict was maddening. The Faceless One had warned her that love was a weakness, but she couldn't escape the emotional turmoil that plagued her. The reality of her feelings stood in stark contrast to the detached, ruthless persona she was expected to embody. She knew she had to focus, but every attempt to banish Alicent from her thoughts seemed futile.

The following day, Zai found herself summoned to The Mother's office. The austere room, with its dark, polished wood and sparse furnishings, seemed to amplify the tension in the air. The Mother sat behind a massive, imposing desk, her expression inscrutable and her posture rigid. As Zai entered, The Mother's gaze fixed upon her with an intensity that made her heart race with a mix of anticipation and dread.

"The time has come for you to undertake a mission of utmost importance," The Mother said, her voice as cold and authoritative as ever. "This mission will be fraught with danger, and its outcome is uncertain. I trust you understand the gravity of this task."

Zai met The Mother's gaze with a resolute nod, though her insides churned with anxiety. "I understand. What is the nature of the mission?"

The Mother's eyes narrowed slightly as she handed Zai a dossier. "The details are in here. You are to infiltrate a fortified estate belonging to a rival faction—one that has recently risen to challenge The Family's authority. Your objective is to eliminate their leader and secure any intelligence that could be of use to us."

Zai opened the dossier, her eyes scanning the documents and photographs inside. The estate was heavily guarded, and the rival leader was described as a cunning and dangerous individual. The mission required her to breach multiple layers of security and confront an enemy whose reputation for brutality was well-known. Her heart sank as she realized the odds were heavily stacked against her.

"This is a suicide mission," Zai said, her voice trembling slightly despite her effort to remain composed. "The risks are extreme, and survival seems unlikely."

The Mother's gaze remained unwavering. "This mission is crucial to maintaining our dominance. We need to strike decisively to prevent this faction from gaining further power. I trust you will approach it with the skill and determination that have become your trademarks."

Zai took a deep breath, her resolve hardening. "I understand. I will complete the mission."

The Mother gave a curt nod, signalling the end of their discussion. "I have faith in your abilities, Zai. Do not disappoint us."

As Zai left The Mother's office, the weight of her impending task bore down on her. The knowledge that she might not return to the life she had built, the people she cared about, and the promise she had made to Alicent filled her with a profound sense of sorrow and determination.

She wandered through the cold, silent corridors of the fortress, her mind heavy with the implications of the mission. Despite her training and the steely resolve she had cultivated, the uncertainty of her fate gnawed at her.

The quiet of the fortress was a stark contrast to the storm raging inside her. She approached Alicent's chamber with a mix of apprehension and longing, knowing that this visit could be their last moment together. The fortress was unusually quiet as Zai moved silently through its cold, dimly lit corridors. Each step seemed to echo with the weight of her decision and the uncertainty that lay ahead. Her heart pounded as she approached Alicent's chamber, her mind racing with the gravity of the mission and the finality of their impending separation. Zai paused outside the door, her hand trembling as it hovered over the ornate handle. She took a deep breath, bracing herself before pushing the door open and stepping into the room.