The King of Crows

The Lost Ballroom

We had been walking for... two hours I believe, stopping sometimes for a break. Phil really wanted to show me something that he adored the most in the castle, and it honestly intrigued me. I was also a bit sceptical. I did just meet this man, but clichés all the way baby!

...

Just for this one thing that he wanted to show me though! Nothing more!!
We finally came to a halt, large amounts of rubble in our way. I was honestly surprised that this was part of the castle, how? It was demolished beyond recognition. Apparently this is a doorway according to what Philza told me, but it no way in hell looked like one. Just, rubble. So much of it. How the fuck did he know it was a doorway?! Let alone know this led to more of the castle? It confused me, but I'll let it slide. For now.

"Are you sure this leads anywhere Phil?" I threw away another piece of rubble when I asked the question. He looked at me for a split second, before throwing another piece of rubble beside the one I threw. "I mean, how'd you know about this being a doorway? It looks too broken beyond belief to be a doorway."

"I know many things about this castle Y/N," He answered, dusting his hands off, walking over before holding one of my hands. "Many things. It is... hard to explain, but do not fret. I will say when we are both ready."

"Okay..." My voice trailed off, both of us continuing to throw away the rubble that remained. Finally after what felt like hours, but apparently was only minutes, we got the rubble out the way. The doorway's broken, but still elegant, frame now clearly was noticeable for both of us. The cracks were massive, but for me it gave a nice flair. It's hard to explain really.

Philza gently grabbed my hand and walked into the massive, grand room. We walked to the middle of the room, the two of us still holding hands.

"This is the ballroom," He pulled his hood down, revealing the rest of his blonde hair. I finally could tell what kind of shade his irises were too, a steel blue colour. It matched him. "A place of dancing to classical music, wearing beautiful royal outfits that always blend together well. Speaking of which..."

I watched him walk off after letting go of my hand, taking a small heart shaped object out of his coat and inserting it into a thin hole that was cut into the piano. Before I could walk over to where Philza was, he dashed back over to me; the piano now playing without anyone using it.

"Care to dance?" The blonde bowed with his hand extended towards me, a smile on his face. I nodded before taking his hand, the two of us beginning to slow dance to the music the piano was playing. "Ask away any questions you have on your mind Y/N."

"Oh, thanks. Um..." I thought for a bit, my arms resting over his shoulders, my hands interlocking together behind his neck. Phil's hands gently grabbed the sides of my torso, at least he wasn't being perverted. But it was still confusing. "Why are you doing this? We literally met like, a few hours ago."

"It is hard to explain," He began answering, the music becoming softer in my ears the more he talked. "You remind me so much of my late wife. She passed away a long, long time ago, as well as my only son. I have grown fond for you in such a short time just because of that. I am truly sorry."

"No it's okay, I understand," I wrap my arms around his torso, leaning in to give the man a hug. He deserved it. "I understand what it's like to lose people you care about the most in the world. I lost my older brother and father when I was a small child, they got hit by a drunk in a car crash. No-one survived."

"My goodness, I am so sorry," Phil apologised for no reason, stroking my hair. His fingers sinking deep, getting strands wrapped around his delicate fingers. "Your mother, was she okay?"

"She's a strong woman, still is now," I smiled at him, resting my chin on his clothed chest. His cheeks became faintly pink, his eyes wide at my little action. "So nothing bad - I mean, of course she was distraught! So was I, even if I was a kid."

"Come on, let us continue our dance," Phil spoke softly, the music still quiet but somehow no longer drifting away. We swayed to the music that echoed throughout the ballroom, staying close to one another. And then a realisation popped into my head.

"What was that heart thing you put into the piano?" I asked him, resting my head on his chest on a side. His chest slowly rising calmed me down, only a sigh stopping the pattern.

"It is a Hallow Heart," Philza answered, looking down to meet my eyes. Seeing my confusion. "A very ancient artifact that is capable of controlling many things. For example, the piano. I can take it out when I want it back, it sticks out the slot a little bit, so it can not get knocked out easily."

"Oh, thanks, sure," I quickly spoke, silence suffocating the room. Though I couldn't tell if it was comfy or uncomfortable silence, which was probably what was freaking me out. The dance was calming, Phil was indeed a great slow dancer. If that is what we were doing. When we finished the dance, we both walked over to the piano for Philza to collect his Hallow Heart. "Can you tell me more about your late wife and son, if that is okay?"

"That is fine with me," He answered sitting on the chair in front of the piano, tapping the side of it for me to sit on. Which I did. "My wife's name was Kristin, my son's name was Theseus."