The Infernal : The Rise Of A King (K.TH)

Ch 17: A Forged Bond

Taehyung

Is it just me or are the soldiers stationed here fewer than we expected? I scanned around drawing my sword with a heavy breath. I was surrounded, escorted, and held protected by my comrades. Jimin and Teya left our side taking the battle deeper into the main village. On the other hand, Jungkook and Minjae never left mine, as we strutted our way toward the Iron building, embellished with golden statues and warm lights. It seemed like a high lord's palace but only on a smaller scale. 

''Stay close,'' Jungkook grunted with a deep gasp. He instructed the obvious as if I hadn't been doing this all the time. I felt useless, my blade was drawn just for decoration. Watching our allies fight, get stricken down, or bleed while I'm walking like a rare pearl that needs protection. It made me grow taut and ashamed. The metal-armed soldiers came in waves, it was clear to us that our plan didn't work. 

It was strange, the young horse rider informed us that the chief had entered the harbor, but why is it that....it seems like they were highly aware of our plan. When we arrived we only ran into soldiers, the other villagers of higher statuses were no longer absent. As if they paved it, to become a battlefield. But it didn't hold us back, we proceed with the plan. We shall head for the maiden that hides within her iron palace. 

''There is no sight of the Infernals?'' Minjae grew impatient upon this fact. Her hand was glued to my back pushing me through the hordes of people with force. 

''Perhaps they were sent out with the chieftain?'' It was a statement I gave but seconds after...started to doubt myself. Would it make sense to leave one of the council members alone without the protection of an Infernal? Or perhaps she is bonded to one, I'm sure we will encounter one of them inside.

''Hold them up!'' Minjae bellowed from beside me. We had reached the maiden's hideout, but I became puzzled. Just why did the number of soldiers thin out the closer we got?

I stride forward taking the lead from here. A scrawny breath left my mouth looking at the iron door in front of me, a lion's head decorated the door from his mouth hung a golden ring. I discarded the use of it and instead pushed the heavy door with my arm exposing the main hall. 

We entered both Minjae and Jungkook by my side, while the others held watch clearing away any soldiers that might interrupt. It was cold, despite the hundreds of candles that decorated the walls and ceiling. A dark and gloomy feeling washed over me. Something within my bones was telling me to keep my guard up. So I did as I held my blade steady and strong in front of me. Jungkook and Minjae on the other hand lowered their guards scanning around the hall. There was a glass display above our heads, allowing the sunlight to grant a source of light to the room. 

''Should we split up?'' Jungkook suggested but the distressed look in Minjae her eyes once we locked eyes said enough. 

''I shall look around then.'' He bolstered. With that Jungkook his figure disappeared towards the open room on the left. Minjae and I took the one on the right, ignoring the detailed stone-structured staircase leading upstairs.

''This might be a trap.'' It was too suspicious, for us to reach this place with almost no setback. A feeling that things are going to smoothly made me grow with unease.

''I think they have left the place.'' Minjae her eyes never met mine, instead, they locked harshly onto every object and corner in the room. The room was normal, decorated with a long wooden table and chairs. Statues and shelves with books gave it a cozy feeling, but what eerie me the most was the huge fireplace, lit up. The fire-cracking sound occasionally startled my consciousness. The warmth that emanated from the fireplace gave a strangely content feeling. Other than that there was nothing in this room that stood out to me.