As the first rays of morning light spilled over the desolate frozen cliff, casting an ethereal glow upon the barren landscape, the group began to stir from their restless slumber. The biting cold had kept them huddled close to the meager campfire throughout the night, seeking solace in its dwindling warmth. Among the group were Seraphina, Bastion, Rosalind, and the brothers Tom and Timmy, the second in command of the members of the Arezo family knights, still reeling from the previous day's battle, their faces marked with exhaustion and worry.
Rubbing their eyes and stretching their stiff limbs, the Arezo knights exchanged weary glances. The events of the past few days had taken a toll on their physical and mental well-being. However, their attention was soon diverted when they noticed something peculiar, a missing presence amidst their midst.
"Has anyone seen the head of the family?" Rosalind asked, his voice laced with confusion and concern.
The others glanced around, their brows furrowing as they realized that their leader, Lester, was nowhere to be found.
"I can't find Magnus either," said Bastion.
"I asked the Parada family members, and they also don't know where they are," Seraphina announced.
Determined to uncover where their leader had gone, the Arezo knights sprang into action, their footsteps crunching through the frost-covered ground as they fanned out, searching every nook and cranny of the campsite and its surroundings. Their gazes scanned the area, their eyes trained for any sign, any clue that might reveal Lester's whereabouts.
Fray, who was with Elisa and Adam, and Montaser, standing around the campfire having breakfast, looked at the worried Arezo knights with a calm expression as he said slowly, "Elisa, send the Parada knights to help them look."
"Alright, sir," answered Elisa.
----The previous night----
Under the cover of darkness, Lester and Magnus ventured into the frozen landscapes, their footsteps leaving faint imprints in the pristine snow.
Lester's face bore a haunted expression, etched with worry and fear. His eyes darted anxiously from side to side, scanning the darkness for any signs of danger. Magnus, struggling to keep pace with his leader's frantic strides, cast concerned glances at Lester, their breath forming frosty plumes in the frigid air.
"Lester, what's troubling you?" Magnus asked.
Lester replied with an uneasy voice, his words barely audible over the howling winds. "I'm not sure. But I can't shake the feeling that we are being watched, followed even."
Magnus' eyes widened. He quickened his pace, his steps crunching in the snow as he struggled to keep up. "Watched? By whom? Is it one of those monsters? Or don't tell me..."
Lester whispered, his voice barely audible above the roaring wind. "We must keep going."
As they pressed on, the frozen landscape seemed to grow colder, the temperature dropping with each passing moment. The pale moonlight cast long shadows that danced in the periphery of their vision, heightening their unease. Each step felt heavier than the last, the weight of their fears bearing down upon them.
Suddenly, from the corner of their eyes, two dark figures emerged from the darkness. Lester, with a pale face, looked at the two figures as he mumbled, "You!?... What do you want from me?"
....
The chilling winds swept through the camp. Fray stood tall at the edge of the camp, his piercing gaze fixed upon Lester, who stood before him. Elisa stood silently beside him, her eyes reflecting an icy indifference.
Lester, after seeing Fray's return, had spent hours thinking about what he should do. He knew that he could take a chance with one of the Parada family members. With a deep breath, he mustered all the courage he could find and began to speak, his voice laden with regret.
"I... I apologize, Mr. Parada," Lester's words flowed out in a subdued tone, laced with humility and respect. "I made a grave mistake, a treacherous act that betrayed our sacred alliance with the Parada family. Fear consumed me, clouding my judgment and leading me astray. I understand if you wish to punish me for my transgressions."
Fray's eyes narrowed, his face an impenetrable mask of coldness. He remained silent for a moment, allowing Lester's words to hang in the air, suffused with a palpable sense of tension. Then, in a voice as chilling as the wind that swept through the camp, he spoke.
"I won't punish you," Fray said with an indifferent voice. "I have no desire to waste my energy on avenging a lost cause."
Hearing Fray's unexpected response, Lester's lips involuntarily began to curl into a smile, but he quickly regained control, maintaining a respectful expression. "Thank you, Mr. Parada," he said, his voice quivering with a mix of relief and apprehension. "I am sincerely grateful for your leniency. I promise, with every fiber of my being, that I will work tirelessly to regain your trust in the future."
Fray's cold stare pierced through Lester's facade, extinguishing any flicker of hope that had dared to ignite within him. "No, Lester," he stated with an unyielding resolve. "There is no future for you here."
Lester's smile vanished, replaced by a perplexed expression. "What... What do you mean, Mr. Parada?" he asked.
"You have two choices," Fray replied, his voice devoid of emotion. "Leave this camp immediately, taking with you the person who assisted you before, or face the consequences. Know that if you choose to remain, I will not hesitate to kill you and everyone who assists you."
Lester's heart sank at Fray's words, his mind racing to find a solution. He knew that returning alone to the treacherous depths of the dungeon would be nothing short of a death sentence. Yet, staying and facing Fray's wrath seemed equally futile. Fear clawed at his chest, threatening to paralyze him.
"I understand that I have gravely erred, Mr. Parada," Lester stammered, his voice betraying his inner turmoil. "But there must be another way. You know that our skills and expertise are indispensable to the success of our mission. We know that you need us."
Fray's expression remained unchanged, his voice cutting through the air like a frigid gust. "I don't like to repeat myself, Lester. Leave now, or stay and perish alongside your misguided team."
Lester's mind raced, weighing the options before him. The realization dawned upon him that Fray was resolute in his decision, unyielding in his cold demeanor. There would be no changing his mind. With a mix of desperation and resignation, Lester knew he had no choice.
"I... I will leave," Lester whispered, his voice filled with defeat.
....
"You!?... What do you want from me?" mumbled Lester with a careful expression " Mr. Parada..."
From the shadows, Fray, with a cold look on his face, slowly emerged with Elisa by his side. As he looked at Lester without answering him, he said, "Elisa, I will need their bodies. Try to end it without causing a lot of damage."
Hearing Fray's words, both Lester and Magnus opened their eyes in horror. They both knew what Fray meant.
Thus, as he grasped his sword with trembling hands, Lester said with a desperate voice, "Mr. Parada, what are you doing? You promised that you would let us..."
Before Lester could finish his words, Elisa disappeared from her place like a teleportation. She arrived in front of him and the shocked Magnus. As Lester raised his sword, trying to block the upcoming attack, he suddenly felt it—the effect of the Armor that Fray was talking about.
"Ahhhh...."
