Divided

Castle

Hi:) 

Caterina's POV
After our delightful breakfast, I find myself strolling down the long, dimly lit corridor of the castle with Ajia and her brother. The walls, covered in sleek, black stone, seem to absorb the faint light from the tall windows that punctuate the hallway. These windows are framed with long dark red curtains that have silver accents. 

Ajia, with her bright eyes and lively demeanor, glances at me and asks, "So that means you'll be stuck here forever-ever?" Her tone is light and playful, but there's a hint of concern in her voice. I look down at the intricately patterned floor, my thoughts momentarily drifting. "Well... maybe," I reply, my voice trailing off.

Ajia's smile fades and then returns. "Good thing you're not alone! You have me, my brother, Celeste, Alistair, Xander, Imperia, and maybe Athan." She says this with a mix of excitement and a roll of her eyes when she mentions Athan's name.

Curious, I turn to Ajia's brother, who is walking steadily by her side. "And what's your name?" I inquire. He looks at me with a calm, measured gaze and responds, "Tzan." His voice is soft but carries a certain weight, contrasting sharply with Ajia's effervescence.

Tzan, unlike his sister, maintains a quiet and serious demeanor. While Ajia's presence is marked by an ever-present smile and an almost visible sense of energy, Tzan remains composed and reserved, his seriousness a counterbalance to her enthusiasm.

As we reach two intricately carved wooden doors at the end of the corridor, two imposing guards, dressed in dark uniforms, swing open the heavy doors with practiced ease. My breath catches as I step into the massive library before me. It is an awe-inspiring sight. The library is so immense it seems almost like a mansion on its own. The walls, sheathed in deep black, are lined with towering shelves brimming with books, their spines gleaming in the light. Dominating the center of the room is an enormous silver chandelier that casts a brilliant, almost ethereal glow over the entire space.

Celeste has asked Ajia and Tzan to give me a tour of the castle, and now it's clear why they've been chosen—this is a place of wonder. Lost in my admiration, I remain glued to the spot, eyes wide and jaw nearly grazing the floor.

"Come in, Cat!" Ajia voice cuts through my reverie. She reaches out and takes my hand, guiding me into the heart of the library. "Wow... this is just..." I manage to say, my voice trailing off in amazement.

"Amazing, right!" Ajia beams at me with a bright smile. I nod, still overwhelmed by the sheer scale and size of the room. Moving closer to one of the towering shelves, I reach for a book. As I examine the cover, I realize it is written in a language unfamiliar to me.

"Are all the books in a different language?" I ask Ajia, placing the book back carefully.

"Most of them are. But Celeste has books from your world too! Over... here!" Ajia says with enthusiasm, flinging a book towards me. I catch it with a practiced hand and glance at the title. It details the wars that have occurred in the US. Why would she have books of the US wars? ...Of course! She was alive during those times.

"Did Celeste witness these wars?" I ask curiously, turning towards Ajia, who is now on the second floor of the library.

"Yes, she did! Well, she wasn't directly involved, but she always visited the human world," Ajia replies, descending the staircase with a graceful swiftness.

I nod thoughtfully and then turn to Tzan, who is seated on a nearby bench, absorbed in his cards. "What were those cards you showed me earlier?" I ask, curious.

"Oh yes! Tzan!" Ajia dashes over to her brother and tugs him towards me with so much excitement. "Show her! Show her!" she urges, her smile radiant.

Tzan, maintaining his usual calm demeanor, shuffles his cards with impressive speed before placing them out in front of me. "Choose one," he instructs, his voice neutral and controlled.