Guardians: Remastered

Chapter 11

Inside the palace, the air was just the right temperature, like a sunny spring day back on Earth. From the doors Flame and Frost entered there was a long hallway that stretched onward, appearing to be never ending. The walls were tall and eventually arched at the top, making the ceiling have a more rounded shape to it. The walls were also decorated with miscellaneous decorations and pieces of artwork, as well as a few weapons. The floor was smooth and glowed in the torchlight, and Frost and Flame's footsteps echoed as their feet came into contact with the ground. Flame allowed his amber eyes to roam and study the vaguely familiar hallway, trying not to let his nostalgia overwhelm him.
It's been years since I've seen this place, and ironically, not much has changed. Not many things are moved or altered. There's an occasional difference here and there, but it's kind of a relief that things are mostly the same. I wonder if everything, and everyone, is the exact same way as before. I highly doubt it, it's been 7 years. From what I know, it's quite unlikely for someone to remain unchanged for such a long period of time. 
"I honestly expected everything to be different because we were gone for so long. But not much has changed. It looks as if some things weren't even moved or touched in the past years."
"I guess they just don't use this hallway very often. I don't recall being down this hall a lot when we were here last."
"True. Well, we're here now, and we'll just have to readjust ourselves to our old home."
"Why did we even decide to stay? We already escaped from those two weirdos that were after us. Couldn't we just go back then instead of wasting our time?"
"Yeah, we could've, but what's the fun in that? I missed this place, and as much as you try to conceal it and hide it, I can tell that the feeling of homesickness was mutual between us. I'm your sister, don't try to get away with lying to me."
"I wasn't trying to, but okay." 
"Stop being so grouchy and lighten up, all right? I don't think mom and dad will be very happy to see how moody you've become. You used to be so kind and sincere." 
"People change, it's just the way things work. For all we know, mom and dad could have changed a lot while we were gone, too."
"I would hope not," Frost replied, her pace slowing slightly. Flame does have a point there.

Just as the two of them were nearing the end of the hallway, they could hear rushed footsteps echoing, getting louder and louder, and getting closer to them.  Flame and Frost instantly stopped, unsure how to respond to this. Soon enough, two large people came running towards them. One was female, with fiery orange hair and tanned skin. The other was male, with dark blue hair and pale, blue tinted skin. They were both considerably tall and were both wearing suits of armor, as well as being equipped a sword and scabbard. 
"There's the intruders!"
"Don't try to escape. You wouldn't want to anger the Highnesses," The male ordered as they stopped in front of the siblings. Frost took a step back, holding her hands up and shaking her head. 
"W-We're not intruders! We're from here! We're Flame and Frost Hailfire, son and daughter of the Highnesses themselves."
"Oh? How exactly are we supposed to believe you, hmm? You don't look like Hailfire natives. I mean, just look at you. Just look at your clothes!" The female snickered, pointing at them. Flame did what seemed to be a gasp. He folded his arms angrily, feeling both offended and humiliated. 
"We spent the last several years on Earth, of course our clothes aren't going to be what they ideally are around here."
"Yeah, sure. We'll see what the King and Queen have to say about this," The male guard said, grabbing Flame's arm. Flame made an attempt to retaliate, ripped his arm from the guard's grasp. But that just made matters worse. The guard used force this time, grabbing both of Flame's arms and forcing them behind his back like he was under arrest. The female guard did the same to Frost, just being more considerate and gentle. Frost made no effort to struggle or fight back, passively allowing the guard to guide her along, and eventually, Flame gave in and began to do the same. As the two guards escorted the twins down the hallways of the grand palace, Flame took this opportunity to assemble his thoughts.
This is so weird. Why would our parents be precarious and concerned about intruders? They've always been understanding and open-minded people. They would allow any person from Hailfire into the palace, regardless of who they were or what their purpose was. Of course, if they meant any sort of harm, they would have the guards rid of them immediately. But that's not the case. We just casually walked into the place and we were automatically assumed as trespassers.
"That's not even the main point! I'm Flame Hailfire, they should know who I am! Who we are! This doesn't make any sense!" Flame hadn't noticed that he had been speaking aloud as his rant came to its conclusion. He grimaced, growing even more embarrassed and aggravated than he had originally been. Although they showed no obvious signs of it, he could tell that this had annoyed the guards. He suppressed a sigh and bit back his tongue; he knew when it was hopeless to make an argument. These guards must have a bias of some sort. Just wonderful. 

"All right, listen up you two. Don't you even dare to challenge us or the Highnesses while you're under their presence and authority. It won't be a pleasant ending if you do."
"H-Huh?" Frost had been drifting off into her imagination for the time being, which had led her to be distracted. Before she got the chance to question this statement or ask what they were doing, the guards turned the corner and walked through a large archway. This opened up to an enormous room, with a ceiling that spanned high with pillars to sustain its weight. This room was more stunning than any other. For a specific reason, of course: It was the throne room. This was where a majority of the land's most cherished and historical artifacts were stored, ranging anywhere from weapons to pieces of artwork. Light from outside filtered through stained-glass panes, and the light took the form of shapes on the shiny, polished floor. But most striking of all was the thrones themselves. A carpet, mixed with blue and orange, extended from the magnificent entrance to the bases of the thrones, like a red carpet during a significant ceremony. Two familiar people were seated in the thrones, Flame and Frost now realized as they drew closer to them. It was none other than the King and Queen themselves, sitting upright with bold posture. 

"King Adan, Queen Neva. We have escorted the intruders here to you, as you commanded."
"Well done, Brooke and Peary. You're dismissed," The Queen, Neva, sounded remarkably calm and gentle, and yet it presented no indication of any kind of weakness. Her gaze was ice cold, but delicate, like any mother's would be. Flame was instantly reminded of all the moments and memories that he still carried from this place as his eyes met with Neva. It felt like ice burning into a fire. King Adan rose from his throne, towering a few inches above Flame and Frost, staring at them with a look of great intensity. Flame had to keep himself from stumbling backward. Was he always this intimidating? Since when was he so intrepid and serious? 

"So. Who sent you to infiltrate my palace? Aiden, I presume?"
"Y-Your majesty, you've been terribly mistaken. We're not intruders at all, we'r-"
"You can try to excuse yourself all you like. I'm afraid to say that your faulty justifications are of no significance to me."
"Do you seriously not recognize us? What's gotten into you? You're acting so uptight and odd!" Flame retorted, clenching his hands into fists. He felt hurt that his own parents didn't realize who he was. I know it's been years, but wouldn't they be able to tell? I'm their son.
"I've had about enough of this. Peary, Brooke, please escort these two down to the chambers at once. We'll decide what to do with them in the evening."


F I N A L L Y, I got another chapter done. I'm sorry that this one took so long, it wasn't even really that difficult to write. I just kept getting distracted, or I had no motivation, or I ended up having to do something whenever I decided it was a good time to write. Even though I have a bunch of studying to do for tests and stuff, I'll try my hardest to work on the next chapter(s), I want to try to get this story finished sometime in June. Maybe sooner.