The castle’s architecture bore the hallmarks of an intricate and monotonous design, with corridors resembling the scales of a giant serpent. These passageways served as a myriad of defensive mechanisms for a unified stone organism. To anyone not born and raised within these ashen walls, navigating the castle felt like a labyrinth in itself. Only the darkest, narrowest, or crooked …

Behind the massive stone doors of the Council chamber, Cassia awaited. Since their last encounter, the spirited girl looked better, now adorned with a light blush on her sun-kissed cheeks. Upon spotting the blood mage, she awkwardly clasped her hands. The blood mage appeared pale and worn-out, as if she had endured the same punishment as her servant. The head …

Azur adhered to a distinct hierarchy. At its pinnacle was the Council, consisting of leaders from the two paramount branches of power: priors and the Magister. The Warrior’s Order, under the Paladin Ingwild’s watchful eye, honed elite warriors, essential for every hunter squad. Conversely, the Savants Circle, though limited in number, also played a pivotal role in the Labyrinth’s conquest. …

The morning sun’s intense rays kissed Suri’s porcelain skin, starkly contrasting with the cool, earthy embrace of depth she had recently left behind. While the unsuspecting victim tested her resolve deep within the bowels of Azur, the celestial orb ascended unhindered to herald the start of a new day. Gusts of icy wind tangled the light curls that had escaped …

At the depths of the expansive, empty hall, a massive cube hovered, dwarfing any human by several times. Before its matte-black edges, a young girl sat, her form appearing minuscule against its grandeur. Flickers of bluish light danced around her, a stark contrast to the all-consuming darkness. Suri fixated on the cube. A tangible telepathic bond had formed between her …

Cassia nudged Suri awake, her touch a blend of patience and insistence. With a sigh, Suri dragged open her heavy eyelids. Interrupted sleep seldom improved one’s mood, and this morning was no different, especially given the circumstances. With fluid and practiced motions, the servant assisted Suri in dressing. All in silence. Together, they navigated a maze of arched corridors that …

The affirmative response worked like a charm, dissipating the heavy atmosphere that had lingered in the Council chamber. A collective exhale swept through the room, bringing relief to everyone present. In contrast, Cassia remained oblivious to the full significance of the recent events. Despite her confusion, a subtle intuition hinted that today might have marked a pivotal shift in her …

Before Suri’s eyes, a spacious room with high ceilings unfolded, bathed in the interplay of light streaming from the solitary stained glass window. The sun, teetering on the edge of setting, cast its final rosy hue upon everything its rays touched. Outside, fluffy clouds lazily drifted, tinged by the palette of the gentle luminary, carrying the scent of sweet cotton …

The dark passage swallowed the tall figure but didn’t rush to close. The vague idea of escaping the dungeon, evading supervision, might have crossed any prisoner’s mind. However, Suri ruthlessly dismissed it, paying it no attention. Her gaze remained fixed on the darkness, obedient to a strange, unconscious feeling. She dared not move, feeling someone else’s intense attention. Pushing all …

Suri remained oblivious to the passage of time. Had someone not brought her something vaguely resembling food, she might not have noticed that time had a tendency to slip away, regardless of other circumstances. All her thoughts were occupied by one thing. Engaging in a silent negotiation with herself, it seemed that, stumbling upon some compromise, she would fall asleep …