Ancient Pasts - Tbate

The Land of Deities Epheotus

Cathan Leywin Pov

As I stepped off the bridge and into the castle, I was drenched in cold sweat, fearing whoever or whatever was guarding the bridge. The interior didn't disappoint, as it was as magnificent as the outside.

Ceilings were unnecessarily high, with arches carved out of the mountain. The walls themselves were adorned with intricate detailing as if they told a story. Yet, considering how large the castle was, it was eerily quiet.

"This way. The Indrath Clan is waiting for you." Windsom seemed to be on edge as he kept fixing some part of his attire while we walked.

"Wait, the entire clan is waiting for us?" Arthur asked while quickly walking to catch up to Windsom.

"Yes, now please, let us hurry," the asura sighed as he went ahead of us into a particularly intimidating corridor.

I looked at Arthur, who seemed nervous after hearing this, and shrugged at him before walking behind Windsom. Arthur eventually caught up to us as we continued walking.

Shivers ran down my spine, but this time, I was able to see the source. At the end of the corridor were two figures guarding the door. I couldn't make out much of their appearance as they were shrouded in darkness from the shadows cast by the corridor's lights. However, my instincts had already kicked in, desperately trying to convince me to run as far away as possible from these two shadowed figures.

The three of us eventually approached them. Reaching the door, I was now able to discern the two guards' features. One was a female with an amiable expression on her face.

She looked tomboyish, with her green hair cut short to just underneath her ear, but the distinct curves noticeable below her light leather armor showed otherwise.

The man next to her looked much fiercer, with sharp eyes and a scar that jaggedly cut crossed his cheek. The only visible weapon I noticed on either of them was a short dagger strapped to each of their waists.

"Elder Windsom. I see you finally brought the human boys," the female guard grinned. The male guard stared at Azrael and then Sylvie and looked up at Arthur in a studying gaze. "Is it appropriate for a human child to be carrying the Princess?" he asked disapprovingly.

"Let it be, Signiz. The two of them have bonded," Windsom dismissed. "Now... are you going to let us in or not?"

The two guards looked at each other briefly before giving Windsom a brief nod. As the two of them faced the door, the aura they emitted increased significantly, enough for it to be nearly palpable. Only a few seconds had passed, but beads of cold sweat rolled down my face.

The two guards each held onto one of the door handles and pulled it open. I could only imagine how heavy it was since the two guards were struggling to pry it apart. Finally, with a loud clack, the towering door slid open, revealing what I assumed to be the Great Hall, and staring right at us, seated on a blazing white throne, was a man who looked to be no older than twenty.

Windsom immediately stepped past Arthur and me and into the room and kneeled. I followed suit quickly, but Arthur kept standing for a while before kneeling alongside us.

"My Lord," the asura addressed, bowing his head.

While my head was down, I couldn't help but peek around the room. Standing to the side of the great hall were figures of all ages and sizes staring at me, some disdainful like the prior male guard, while others with simple curiosity.

Each of the figures was standing around us emanated auras that would make even the most powerful mages in Dicathen faint and froth in the mouth, yet, the man seated on the throne burned in a shimmering white fire emitted none. Even after trying to sense him, I couldn't even feel his presence. Even though I could see him, I would've had trouble believing he existed if I wasn't staring at him.