Lykaon

Chapter 12: Breath of Frost

POV: Dakoda

The castle of Planao was the seat of power of the entirety of Sheol. It had been built on a hill that overlooked the city, which only made it stand even higher. Only the finest crystalline-stone had been used in its construction, making it nearly impenetrable. Other than being massive and masterfully built, it was also beautiful. The towers rose up from the ground like spiraling staircases to the heavens. The sunny and cloudless sky cleared their paths to ascendancy.

"I'm so glad you all could make it!" The princess Kalina greeted us ecstatically. "It's a bit unusual to invite anyone other than the arena champion but you three are clearly close. I'm thrilled to have all of you here," the smile on her face persisted even after she stopped speaking. She was definitely the social type of person which was fitting for her position, yet there was something about her that seemed much less royalty-like.

"Right.." Jai muttered under his breath.

Kalina didn't seem to notice his remark but Calypso elbowed him in response. "We're thrilled to be here. Thank you for your generous invitation, princess." There she was again, the sudden and much more lady-like Calypso that seemed to mysteriously emerge when convenient. I could tell by Jai's facial expression that he had noticed it as well.

I figured I had to say something, even if I really had no desire to, "Yes it was.. kind of you to let us in."

My thoughts had been too distant to form a proper response. It'd only been a few hours since I had learned of the Temple of Lykaon but every second the ideas of what it may hold flooded my mind. The mark hidden on my palm seemed to burn away at the garment covering it, as if it ached to be free. I was torn on what to do. Finding the two I hunted had been my number one priority, but this new information had suddenly drawn my attention away from my task. I had only just met back up with Calypso and Jai literally seconds before being invited into the castle but they had been looking at me quite strangely. In the back of my mind I found it very unsettling.

Calypso eyeballed me like she was astonished at my lack of formality. Kalina piped in as if to dispel her worry, "Thank you, Calypso. But really, you can just call me Kalina. If anything I should be praising you! Not many have what it takes to become a Demon Hunter.." She trailed off, a wistful tone rang in her words. So that's what it is, I thought to myself.

Despite being entirely enthralled with the princess the previous day, Jai seemed just as distracted as I was. He kept staring at the wall as if he was spacing off, as well as repeatedly clenching his fists. There was definitely something on his mind and it made me wonder what they had been up to last night.

My thoughts were interrupted by the entrance of another person. He came from one of the many archways that led out of the courtyard we stood in. Immediately I recognized him as the same Sun Singer who had stopped Laiv from attacking Calypso. This time he lacked the golden armor, yet he still seemed quite muscular even without it. His name eluded me but I could feel his gaze on me as he approached. He continued before halting next to the princess, at which point he turned and smiled down at her. She reciprocated and for a moment I thought I sensed some sort of deeper connection between the two.

"Jai, Calypso and Dakoda, isn't it?" He asked, a smile appearing on his features. While I could tell it was genuine, my gut seemed to think something different.

Jai was still spacing off and barely seemed to register his words, but Calypso nodded, "That's right. You're... Justin, right? Glad to see you're smarter than your buddy Laiv."

Justin laughed, "He can be rather thickheaded. And yes, Justin Piras."

"Righteous fire," I stated, looking him directly in the eyes.