"Queens and commoners, princes and peasants, welcome to the party of the quincentury!"
For most people, receiving an invitation to the White King's Masquerade is an honor. Even attempting to attend is a chance to go down in history. But for Sol of M...
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
I woke up the next day, sore but smiling. The sunlight streamed into the room in golden beams and Odelyn and Fyn snored soundly.
Then reality crashed back down.
The events of the last week whizzed through my mind - watching Pelias yell at servants, meeting Nero and Kostik, battling dragons and orcs, eating faeberries with Odelyn.
But one thought stood out clearer than the rest. We had a week to prepare for the Journey. Had. Six days ago we had a week. The thought sent chills down my spine, despite all I had accomplished in those six days, the things I had learned, the friends I had made.
I flopped back down onto my bed, hoisting the covers over my head, hoping I could hide forever.
The first sign that something was wrong was that Carya let us sleep in. Fyn actually woke up by herself. Seeing her stretching instead of groaning and covering her ears was... odd to say the least.
The second sign was that Carya woke us up nicely. Only poking us with stubby fingers as opposed to screeching.
After a, thankfully normal, late breakfast of oatmeal and berries, we gathered in the courtyard. Only to be greeted by all our trainers standing in a long, intimidating line.
"Welcome warriors," Asriel said warmly as we filed out of the castle.
"Already you have encountered more than many will in their lifetime, and this is something you should be proud of."
I tried to quiet my raging thoughts as he spoke. He was right after all. I had survived a desert and a labyrinth, sirens and ghouls. Maybe it was time I stopped doubting myself and my abilities.
"I wish we could give you a day off, but we do not have that liberty. Instead you will be partnered with a mentor, for one final day of training to hone your skills to a fine point."
I was... excited. My heartbeat sped up as I eagerly awaited my pairing.
"Fyn, you will be with Adrei," he began, as she walked over to stand beside the valkyrie, "Pelias and Nero. Odelyn and Aleph. Haven and Ciel."
I gave his hand a reassuring squeeze and he moved to the other side of the courtyard.
"Aester and Kostik, Sol and Aella, Prince Syrion and Asteria, and finally, Eleusis and River shall be with me."
Immediately, he finished, we dispersed. I followed Aella as she led me deeper into the castle than I had bothered to explore and into a small solarium. How fitting, I thought.
"How fitting indeed," she said, smiling back at me, her eyes wrinkling.
How-
"And no dear I cannot read your thoughts, but they're not very hard to guess," she chuckled.
