Chapter 26: The confrontation

Peter did not forget the sole purpose he was here.

"Free Mia," he said again. His eyes looked at Zachariah with an intensity of a predator.

"Why? Are you in love with her? You have no idea how much I want her!" Zachariah barked at Peter. "No way I am going to surrender her to you after I have so painstakingly created a beautiful cage to imprison her for eternity."

Peter knew that this would not go down without a fight. However, he did not know if he had any edge over Zachariah, as he did not know how to summon any magic, not that he could remember at all. Zachariah, on the other hand, was the most powerful warlock walking in the surface of the Earth. He would need something more that just fists and guts to beat this man who had his exact likeness.

"Do you think she would ever want you? I think she hates you." Peter smirked. "Even though I saw how similar we looked, she saw right through it all, and she told me that the softness in my eyes was a far cry from the coldness in yours. You are evil, and she saw that clearly. No matter what you do, she would never love you."

Zachariah's frustration was evident in his eyes. He wanted Mia so badly, and deep inside his soul, he wanted her to accept him. It was now only wishful thinking on his end.

"Do you think she won't be able to get out of your magic trick on her own? She is a very mysterious woman, and many who have dedicated their lives to her. She would be able to escape just on her own, I came because I wanted to try claim some credit. But I know my limits. I am no match for you."

Peter saw a flicker of in attention in Zachariah's eyes. For that split second, he had observed that Zachariah had scanned the left corner of his side. He made a dash towards the left, and saw a path that led to somewhere else.

"No!" Zachariah cried and Peter knew he had made the right move.

The path led to another smaller cave, but more brightly lit than the first. Right in the middle of it, Peter saw a large iridescent bubble that was glowing brightly. There was a translucent image of Mia sleeping in the bubble.

Zachariah was rushed in and screamed, "Don't you dare!" He tackled Peter from behind, and the both of them crashed into the ground.

Peter threw a dagger in the direction of the bubble and prayed with all his heart that it would not miss.