Empire of Shadows

Chapter 12: Haylee

It took them a few weeks to get there. Even with the latest invention of Wushih Institute, a large ship, which flies, they had to hurry to arrive on time. And eventually three children of Light Clan landed in Shadoo.

A capital was quite like their own home: great masses of scurrying people, historic and relic temples, plenty of greenery and many cultural and business sectors. So, they weren't really surprised to see all of it. However, when they approached the main residence of Dark Clan, shiver and goosebumps crawled underneath their spine.

The black towers of palace, resembling an arc form stood solid and ominous with protruding spikes on bridges. Even in the bright daylight could be seen a slight red glow from the inside. Light Clan stopped at the steep stairway, leading to the buildings.

"I'm going to be honest and say that this place frightens me," commented Harvey, nervously looking around.

"Young Master, we can always turn back," mentioned one of the elder disciples, who volunteered to accompany them on the training course.

"No, we stay here," refused Desmond in that tone, which assumed no objections, "We have to keep up appearances and stick to playing their game."

"Since when you started being knowledgeable in politics?" Haylee couldn't help, but ask with a smirk on her face.

"I've always been good," protested the older sibling, scoffing, "you just were busy joking around and not noticing the obvious."

He really is a proud peacock, always making sure his feathers are lush and flamboyant. Maybe if I pluck a few out he'll change his outlooks?

"Be careful, Des, your peacock tail isn't grown enough yet for you to carelessly wag it around," silver-haired girl taunted. "Someone could occasionally cut it down."

"Are you suicidal? Sick of living?" his cheeks got red and the youth was about to throw hands.

"Hey," Harvey interfered between his siblings, "it was a joke, relax. Remember what mother said before we left?"

"Don't cause unnecessary trouble and drama and stick together," both Haylee and Desmond recited with annoyed faces.

"Right," the younger one sighed tiresome, "so let's keep our promises. From this moment we don't fight nor argue and instead try to look for each other. Deal?"

"Deal," the other two echoed, rolling their eyes.

Then the company shifted their gaze to the long stairs, which awaited them in the near distance.

"Well, now we have to climb. I hope everyone rested a bit, because it's going to be a long one," Desmond stared at the other disciples, who nodded in response.

Light Clan slowly, but surely started their ascending. Looking around the vicinity, they couldn't notice the lack of people and nature. If in the capital there were dozens of citizens bustling and greenness blooming, here predominated the spooky silence, scorched earth, withered grass and charred trees.

"This place is so dead," commented Haylee, biting the inside of her cheek.

"Quite similar to what we saw on the beast hunt, remember?" added Harvey in a hushed voice. "There is a huge concentration of dark magic."

"Keep low profile nonetheless," concluded in a somber tone the successor of Light Clan. "I hope this won't give us a cause to worry about."

With every step they took the gates of the residence became much more distinctive and vast. Soon the long shadows of guards and wards were visible too. Holding pikes in hands, sword belts around their hips, they looked unwelcoming and unapproachable. However, the two young masters beside them were rather familiar.