Avatar of the Frozen Behemoth: Volume 1

Chapter 15: The Weight of Blasphemy

As Yukio felt the crushing weight of despair bearing down on him, a flicker of hope suddenly sparked in his mind. He noticed two Spadian guards walking nearby, their armor gleaming in the early morning light. The idea came to him in an instant-if he could get an audience with the Spadian King, perhaps he could find the help he so desperately needed.

Relief washed over him, and with newfound determination, Yukio turned toward the direction of the castle. He began to frantically make his way through the bustling streets, dodging passersby as he raced toward the grand fortress that dominated the skyline.

The Spadian castle loomed ahead, a towering structure of ice and stone that seemed to reach into the heavens. Its walls were crystalline, shimmering in the sunlight with an ethereal glow that reflected the cold majesty of the kingdom.

The entire castle looked as if it had been sculpted from a single massive glacier, with sharp spires that jutted out like jagged icicles, and balconies that seemed to float in the air. The entrance to the castle was a grand archway, framed by two enormous ice columns that were intricately carved with ancient symbols and patterns.

The cold air around the castle was crisp and biting, carrying with it the faint scent of snow and the sound of the wind howling through the towering spires.

Yukio slowed his pace as he approached the main doorway, where several Spadian guards stood vigilant, their posture rigid and their expressions stern. Each guard was clad in thick, silver armor adorned with blue accents, their helmets shaped like the heads of fierce wolves. Their eyes, barely visible through the narrow slits of their helmets, followed Yukio's every move as he approached.

He stopped just before the door, his heart pounding as the guards eyed him warily. "I need to speak with the King," Yukio said, trying to keep his voice steady.
The lead guard stepped forward, narrowing his eyes. "And what business do you have with the King, boy?"

Yukio's mind raced. He knew he couldn't just tell the truth; the guards were too sharp, too cautious. So he quickly crafted a lie, one that he hoped would sound convincing. "I'm here to deliver a message," he said, his voice filled with urgency. "It's from a... high-ranking official in the northern region. It's about the recent disturbances near the border. They said it's urgent, something the King needs to know immediately."

The guards exchanged glances, clearly skeptical, but the urgency in Yukio's tone seemed to sway them. Yukio held his breath, hoping his lie was convincing enough and After what felt like an eternity, the guard who had spoken nodded slowly. "Very well. You may enter, but be quick about it. The King is a busy man."

With a sigh of relief, Yukio was led through the massive doors, which creaked open to reveal the grandeur of the Spadian royal castle.

he was immediately struck by the breathtaking beauty of the castle's interior. The grand hall that greeted him was a masterpiece of ice and artistry, unlike anything he had ever seen. The walls were adorned with towering ice sculptures, each one carefully carved to depict scenes from Spadia's rich history-majestic battles, royal coronations, and ancient legends frozen in time. The floor beneath him was a flawless sheet of ice, polished to such perfection that it reflected the entire hall like a mirror.

In the distance, Yukio could see grand staircases leading up to various wings of the castle, their railings made of twisted ice that glimmered with an otherworldly beauty. Tapestries, woven from silver threads and depicting scenes of snowy landscapes and mythical creatures, hung between the columns, adding a touch of warmth and color to the otherwise icy decor.

The people who moved about the castle were dressed in elegant robes and gowns, their attire rich in furs and adorned with silver and blue accents. They glided across the floor with grace, their movements as fluid as the wind that swept through the cold air outside.