Between The Pages

Chapter 4

The walls of the labyrinth were made from solid bricks and there were twists and turns everywhere. She wondered how anyone could find their way through a place like this.

"If you don't mind me asking what's the goblin king like?" She asked Gajeel.

"He's not a real friendly guy. In fact he's terrifying, arrogant, mean, self centered, short tempered. He's...He's a monster."

"He can't be that bad."

"Have you ever met him?"

"No."

"Alright then. Everybody here in the labyrinth is scared to death of him, me included and I can tell you right now he won't help you."

"I'm sure if I just ask politely-"

"That won't do you any good. He hates humans."

"How come?"

"I don't know."

Gajeel took Juvia through a short cut that led straight to the castle which was located at the center of the labyrinth. Juvia couldn't help but be amazed by the castle, it was a tall and grand display just like all the castles she had seen in story books as a child.

"Oh my." She said.

"What?" Gajeel said.

"Nothing it's just that the castle... It's beautiful."

"Eh...I guess it's okay."

When they approached the castle doors, Gajeel gave them a hard knock.

"Who is it?" A scratchy voice from the other side asked.

"It's Gajeel, the gatekeeper. I have someone here who wishes to speak with his majesty."

"What's the password?"

"There is no password you idiot! Now let me in before I break down the door and break every bone in your body!"

"Okay."

The doors were then opened up and the two of them walked inside.

"Don't you think that was a little mean?" Juvia asked.

"Mean is the only thing that gets through to goblins. Speaking of which, I should warn you that this place is loaded with goblins."

"I kind of expected that."

"Yeah? Well you should also know that goblins are very crass and they don't get to see a young lady that often so be prepared."

Juvia didn't understand what he meant by that but she would learn eventually.

The entrance hall is the first room they entered upon going through the main entrance to the castle was the entrance hall. It was a high walled, stone corridor, hung with candelabras and torches fitted into the walls. Juvia couldn't help but marvel at the incredible detail and design of the hallway.

"The royal pain is usually in the throne room." Gajeel said. "Right this way."

The throne room was a large room with a high roof, and its walls were decorated with large stone goblin heads. It featured several free-standing torches, as well as many other candles and torches kept in brackets on the walls.

Dozens of goblins occupied the room. Some were ugly, some were scary, and some were just silly looking. Many of them looked like they were drunk and they were lying around but as soon as they became aware of Juvia's presence all eyes were on her.