Michrinor: The Fates of The Heirs

Chapter 39 - Within the Shadow of Smoreri Hold

The air inside Smoreri Hold was as cold as the stone walls that surrounded her. Ava walked in silence, flanked on either side by the Queen's guards. Their armor clinked with each step, a metallic echo that bounced off the walls and filled the cavernous halls with a sense of dread. The castle's interior was vast and elegant, but it was an elegance steeped in darkness. Everything here was touched by shadow, as if the light itself feared to linger too long.

Unlike King Emanvadrin's Castle in Doreperth, where sunlight streamed through stained glass windows and vibrant tapestries brightened the walls, Smoreri Hold was a place where darkness reigned. The walls were made of dark stone, nearly black, and the torches that lined the corridors gave off a dim, flickering light that scarcely cut through the gloom. The air was thick and cold, carrying the scent of old stone and damp earth.

The beauty of the castle was undeniable—vaulted ceilings adorned with intricate carvings, polished floors that gleamed like obsidian, and statues of long-forgotten kings and queens standing watch in the shadows. But there was no warmth here, no sense of life. Everything was draped in shades of grey and black, as if color itself had been banished from this place.

As they walked deeper into the castle, the oppressive atmosphere weighed on Ava, pressing down on her like a physical force. The only sounds were the echoes of their footsteps and the distant creaking of the castle's ancient structure. It was a place that seemed frozen in time, untouched by the outside world, where light dared not tread.

Ava continued to observe Smoreri Hold; the grand hallway unfolded before her, revealing the castle's unsettling beauty in all its dark splendor. The walls were lined with tall, arched windows that stretched nearly to the ceiling, their glass panes stained a deep, inky black. What little light managed to seep through was muted and cold, casting faint, eerie patterns on the polished stone floor. Heavy black curtains hung beside the windows, drawn tightly shut, ensuring that no warmth from the outside world could penetrate the fortress's stony embrace.

The floor beneath her feet was as smooth as glass, made of polished stone so dark it appeared almost liquid, reflecting the dim light of the flickering torches along the walls. The coldness of the stone seeped up through her boots, sending a chill through her with every step. The sound of her footsteps echoed in the vastness of the hallway, adding to the sense of isolation that clung to the air like mist.

Above her, ornate chandeliers hung from the high ceiling, their intricate designs wrought in black iron. But instead of casting a welcoming glow, they seemed to gather the shadows, deepening the darkness that filled the space. The flickering flames of the torches, far below, provided the only illumination, and even they seemed subdued, as if reluctant to fully reveal what lay hidden in the corners of the grand hallway.

The décor was both elegant and sinister, a reflection of the castle's ancient lineage. Intricate carvings adorned the woodwork and furniture, depicting scenes of conquest, power, and dominance. The craftsmanship was exquisite, the details so fine that the images seemed almost alive, but there was something unsettling about them. The faces of the figures carved into the wood were stern and unyielding, their eyes cold and empty, as if they had seen too much and felt too little. The furniture, though beautifully made, was heavy and dark, each piece radiating an air of authority and control.

Ava's gaze swept over the details, taking in the subtle patterns woven into the tapestries, the rich, dark wood of the furniture, and the cool stone that seemed to drink in the light rather than reflect it. Everything in Smoreri Hold spoke of old wealth and ancient power, of a lineage that had ruled through strength and fear. It was a place that had been built to intimidate, to remind all who entered that they were stepping into the domain of a force far greater than themselves.