17 Peaks Of The Past

"You know her?" Adam questioned, his expression crumpling. "Tsk-tsk-tsk. What a failed generation. Even romance has become embarrassing." With a dismissive wave, he closed the portal targeting Zina, only to open another one in front of him. "I will go for a walk in the city. If you stay alive, I will find you." With that, he stepped into the portal.

Zina turned to her knight, James, who gripped his sword waiting for her command. "You too, James. Stay out of this."

( I knew I would need a shield ) Fray, thinking he observed Zina's violent expression. Without hesitation, he raised his shield, forming a protective barrier around his body.

As Zina turned towards Fray, five circular portals opened around her. From each portal emerged a large silver blade, all converging on Fray.

 While shaking patrons and the pale-faced owner, the five blades shot out simultaneously at Fray.

Clash! Clash!

Fray, quick to react, stopped the blades with his shield, each clash causing a colossal explosion of blinding light.

However, as soon as he halted the first onslaught, another five circular portals materialized, each presenting a blade targeting Fray. The relentless assault continued, the repeated clashes filling the room with bursts of blinding light and deafening reverberations.

Fray, displaying agility and precision, dodged and deflected the oncoming blades with his shield. Amidst the chaotic exchange, he noticed a faint shimmering light, resembling a small needle, shooting towards Zina. The needle swiftly pierced through Zina's neck, yet strangely, she seemed unaffected.

( She's so angry to notice her surroundings, just as planned, now it's time to end this ) as Fray thought Suddenly, a powerful force struck him, a blade heating his shield. It propelled him forcefully until he collided with a wall.

Fray's body slouched against the wall, his shield cast aside, while Zina approached with her sword pointed at him. Remaining calm, Fray spoke, "Zina, you've won. Can we consider ourselves even now?"

Zina's expression remained cold as she replied, "Do you believe this is sufficient to settle our score?"

With composure intact, Fray suggested, "No, I don't think it is. But could you allow me to apologize before ending this?"

"Hmm," Zina responded with irritation. " An apology for Fray Dalma himself, that will be interesting. Fine, let's hear your apology."

"Could we find a more suitable place for this conversation first?" Fray proposed.

With an annoyed huff, Zina sheathed her sword and turned to leave. Passing by the owner, who observed the wreckage with concern, she handed him a bag of coins. "That should cover the damages."

Two figures clad in dark attire observed Zina walking away from Fray. One of them remarked, "Let's return to deliver the report," and with that, they seamlessly leapt from rooftop to rooftop. Their agile movements carried them effortlessly across the city until they reached the towering city walls.

Bounding over the wall, they soared into the night sky, their destination set for a nearby forest. Landing gracefully, they discovered a group of nearly twenty children in their mid-teenage years gathered around a campfire. The flickering flames cast dancing shadows on their faces as they looked up in anticipation.

As the two figures landed gracefully in the forest, they headed towards a girl with dark hair and piercing blue eyes. Her beauty was striking, and they addressed her as Number One. The other children gathered around the campfire and looked on in surprise.

"Number One, mission accomplished. The insect has been successfully planted," the first figure announced with a nod towards the girl.

The figure named number one as well as the other children, were all shocked as with curious expressions, bombarded them with questions. "What !? Who did it? And How did you find the opportunity ?"

The second figure began to explain, "A mysterious man appeared, triggering a fight with the target. In the chaos, we seized the opportunity and planted the insect."

These young-looking individuals were a group of trained assassins, on a mission to eliminate a target, But they faced two problems the first their target was strong and the second was the powerful knight safeguarding him. Determined to execute the mission with precision, the group had been shadowing the target for a month, meticulously planning and patiently waiting for the opportune moment. 

Number One, maintaining a calm demeanour, added, " Great I thought we would need several months to complete this mission, this great opportunity the insect will take eight hours to develop fully within the body. Now, we wait for the right opportunity to strike."

The other children exchanged glances, a mix of awe and anticipation in their expressions. The campfire flickered as they processed the unfolding mission, their hushed conversations blending with the nocturnal sounds of the forest.

....

Back in the dwindling atmosphere of the hotel's dinner, one of the few remaining tables held Zina with a complex expression on her face. 

Her gaze was fixed on Fray, who walking away from from her with drinks in her hands, her mind seemed to be immersed in a cascade of thoughts and memories, remembering how all of this had begun.

Five years ago, a young Zina, with a cute and round face, sat across from the young Fray. Despite his handsome appearance, Fray wore a cold and serious expression.

 "It seems my father and your mother have some business that requires their cooperation. I'm not entirely sure about the details, but I suspect they arranged this engagement between us as a means to further their business. I doubt they are taking it seriously. In simpler terms, they are using us. This is likely why my father chose me over my other brothers. I assume you face a similar situation in your family, am I right? " Fray said 

Confused and puzzled, Zina, with a touch of sadness, replied, "Yes, I don't know why, but my mother and sister don't seem to like me."

Fray continued, his expression serious, "Well, then, I'm certain this engagement will last only until their business concludes. But I have a plan. We can turn this situation to our advantage instead of being mere pawns in their game."

The young Zina with a puzzled look in her eyes, struggling to keep up with Fray's words, asked, "What do you mean?"

Fray explained, "I will use our engagement to solidify my position within the Dalma family and extend my influence in the Lionar Kingdom. Simultaneously, I will grant you full command over the power I establish in the Lionar Kingdom. Once we achieve our goals, we can bring an end to this engagement."

Staring into Zina's eyes, he added with a serious tone, "So, do you agree to be my fiancée?"

As she glanced at Fray's eyes, blushing with wide eyes, Zina, in a hushed voice, responded, "Yes, I will be your faincée."

...

Fray placed the drinks on the table, positioning one in front of Zina, before taking his seat across from her. As Zina took a sip, she detected a peculiar taste, but choosing to ignore it, she turned her gaze towards Fray, asking, "So, where's this apology of yours?"

Fray's expression carried a hint of regret as he responded, "I apologize for what I did that day."

With a cold expression, Zina inquired, "Apologies for what?"

"I apologize for how our engagement ended," Fray said, taking a sip of his drink as a particular memory crossed his mind.

....

Two years ago, in the Academy's training yard, the usual tranquillity shattered as a sudden uproar stole everyone's attention.

Punch !!

 A resounding punch rang out, and there stood a young Zina, her gaze fixed on a girl with beauty rivalling her own. The dark-haired girl, holding her stomach, looked down with a pained expression.

With a cold expression and an angry voice, Zina seethed, "Just as I expected, you're nothing more than a deceitful snake." As she spoke, two circles of ominous energy materialized behind her. "Grab your weapon," she commanded.

Suddenly, a boy with golden hair stepped between the two girls, earnestly stating, "Zina, please, let's not escalate things here."

Zina's gaze turned colder as she addressed the boy, and two ominous circular portals materialized behind her. "Do you want to join the fight as well?"

Suddenly breaking through the tumult, a cold voice echoed from behind. "Zina, what's the meaning of this?"

As Zina turned, she found Fray approaching with an icy expression. "Fray, it's..." she began, but he swiftly moved, positioning himself beside the black-haired girl. "Are you alright?" he inquired before shifting his gaze to Zina. 

On that day, the engagement between Zina and Fray came to an abrupt end, from one side and right in front of the students of the Academy. Only three days elapsed before Zina decided to part ways with the Academy.