The Labyrinth of Negrastir

Point of no Return

After travelling for days, from the east to the northwest, I finally arrived at the Kingdom of Menargel.

The Queen provided me with a beautiful horse that knew the route to this barren land by the Western Sea.

As I got off the magnificent creature near the black fortress, it returned to the Magocracy and left me to my own devices.

An eerie silence filled the crisp air in this barren landscape far off in the northwest.

Apart from two demons guarding the black fortress, the vicinity itself lay deserted and was devoid of any signs of life.

With each painstaking step, I moved closer to the suffocating gates, which penetrated the broken clouds in the morning sky.

My heavy footsteps mirrored the burden I carried on my shoulders.

As soon as they spotted me, the demons perked up. Their anticipation of tearing into my flesh and draining my soul was palpable even from this distance.

But they didn't. Cocking my head, I came to a standstill and observed them.

Their hard-featured faces were etched with the same kind of apprehension I felt – on pins and needles.

Did they know me? I wet my lips.

"Tell Vanir—your king to come out. I need to speak to him."

"You think just anybody can speak to His Highness?" one guard sneered. "Foolish mortal!"

"Tell him," I said in a single breath, "that the person who wants him dead has come to claim his head."

These words caused the sneering guard to become even more hostile and bitter. His eyes narrowed, and he was up in arms in mere seconds.

Had the other guard not stepped in, he'd probably have lunged at me and ripped my face off right then and there.

"Hera, isn't it?" The friendly demon extended his hand. "I've heard a lot about you..."

"Where's he? Vanir... Tell him to come out and speak to me before I—"

"I'm afraid I cannot. He's still at Hargelad, taking care of things. I was instructed to assist you in case you arrived while His Highness was away."

A smirk formed on my face. He even told his underlings to help me when he wasn't around. What a kind gesture!

After taking my father's life – again – and leaving Lara to face the world all alone! That poor thing lost her parents when she needed them the most!

As an orphan myself, I understood the turmoil she must be grappling with right now.

Yet I wasn't the only one who should know these tormenting emotions and feel a pang in my heart. Vanir, too, should know it.

"Allow me to guide you to your accommodations, my lady."

"Accommodations...? No, I—"

"I was told that you'd stay here until His Highness' return."

I nibbled on my lips. This wasn't what I had in mind when I travelled all the way here from the Magocracy.

What in the world was that guy still doing in Hargelad, anyway? He already claimed the throne so what was taking him so long?

My eyes widened as a spine-tingling thought crossed my mind. Wait, what about Lara and the others?

I forgot all about them! Where were they now? Could Vanir have—I shifted my focus from the ground to the amicable guard.