Tifa had forgotten to blink, lost in admiration of the Guardian Castle. Behind tall walls, numerous sophisticated buildings rose, each a perfect and beautiful balanced mix of Indian temple architecture and European gothic style, connected by long flights of stairs and vast platforms adorn with mystical statues. At the centre of all those buildings towered the largest one, a palace rendered beautiful under the clear highlight of the moon.
In the front, flanked by the the walls was a huge gate with a big metal gargoyle face on the centre. It was guarded by two mighty-looking gargoyle soldiers, each wielding an intimidating weapon.
Even Ethiel was lost of words. And Tifa herself had almost forgotten why they were there until splashing sounds came from behind. The others had probably arrived as well.
Tifa looked over her shoulders at Lord Veer, but she got lost again in the view behind him.
Silver cushions of creamy clouds floated past the lake they popped out from, beyond where the stone floor ended. They were all around, drifting in a slow, beautiful dance. Above the clouds, the stars were clearly visible in the night skies.
"It is so beautiful..." Maya whispered.
"Nothing new to me." Red Wings remarked. "Been there done that. Simpleton."
"Ethiel," Lord Veer went and stood beside Ethiel, waking him from his trance.
He snapped out of it and looked at Lord Veer.
"Let us proceed." Lord Veer waved to the gate, an amused smile on his face.
On approaching the gate, the sentinels tapped the floor firmly with the end of their weapons and came forth, strict and grim; they looked scary, like demons.
"Stand there," With their eyes, they signalled toward the mystical carving on the floor a little away from the gate, "and state the purpose of your visit and your identity."
Lord Veer stood at the spot and answered them, "I am Lord Veer, the leader of Korunga Tribe from Anigma. Me and my comrades have come here to meet the Gargoyle Lord in order to gain information regarding the Pyramid of Lomeyin. We come in peace."
The gargoyle face on the gate, its eyes were made of gem stones. They glowed blue and then the face opened its mouth.
"True." It said in a very hoarse and heavy, intimidating voice before the glow vanished and it closed its mouth again.
"You may pass." The sentinels took a step back and returned to ease.
Lord Veer gently nodded his head.
By itself, the huge gates slowly swung open, leading into the broad stone pavement flanked by huge frightening, gargoyle and gryphon statues.
Out of the stone pavement, a bulky stone golem materialised. It was almost as tall as Lord Veer, just a few inches short. It wielded no weapon.
"Follow me, I shall guide you to the Gargoyle Lord." It bowed at the waist in courtesy.
"Thank you." Lord Veer bowed gracefully in return.
As the golem leaded them, Tifa walked by Ethiel's side, her staff in her hands. It felt safe near him.
The statues were too scary when she looked them up close. They sat upon the pedestals with grim faces and serious eyes, their chest puffed out and straight.
Suddenly, she realised from the suble moments of the chest that the statues were breathing. When that realization hit her, right then, the one she was observing, looked at her with its intimidating eyes.
She gasped and got closer to Ethiel.
"Don't fear me. I don't hurt innocent children." The statue said behind her.
YOU ARE READING
The Legends of Anigma: Ethiel Archer | ONC 2023
FantastikAfter their mother is mysteriously killed, Ethiel and Tifa start seeing ghosts. Their Aunt decides to move to their mother's home with them, hoping to provide them a better life. However, in the new house, Ethiel and his sister find a strange mirror...
