They followed Selene into the mountain. The winds surrounded them as they flew behind the falcon.
Selene suddenly stopped at what looked like a tunnel at the northern face of the mountain facing Raveria. Seventeen and Zephyrus landed in front of the entrance. It looked like any other hole in the side of a mountain but they could see it was man-made.
Selene flew into the cave. "Wait up!", Seventeen went after her with Zephyrus following him.
It got darker as they went deeper into the tunnel. Seventeen held out his hand and a small flame lit up the darkness. They noticed that it was an arched tunnel with no particular features except for notches in the walls for torches.
Seventeen felt that they were going downward. 'Looks like the cavern is near the base of the mountain.', he thought. He could hear the flapping of Selene's wings as she navigated the tunnel.
He suddenly saw a light coming from the other end of the tunnel, "Is that what I think it is?", Zephyrus asked behind him.
"We're about to enter the cavern, Headmaster.", Seventeen said as he extinguished the flame. The light from the end of the tunnel was bright enough for them to see ahead.
"Whoa.", Both of them said simultaneously as they exited the tunnel. They were in a massive cavern lit up by a massive crystal that acted as an artificial sun. Selene flew around the area and then perched on Seventeen's shoulder.
Different types of glowing plants were found around the cavern. But the most amazing sight was the palace built right in the middle.
It was made of white stone which had faded over time with arched windows and huge pillars. A stone pathway led to the palace. The path had two huge plots of land. These must've been gardens that have changed over time. Now luminescent plants grow on them.
Seventeen frowned, "What is this? This is the second palace I am running into.", he grumbled.
Zephyrus on the other hand was fascinated by what he saw, "Amazing. This place has been hidden from us all this time.", he said in awe as he looked around.
"Headmaster, please don't wander off.", Seventeen said as he followed the awestruck Cardinal. "You know what Seventeen? My life has become much more exciting ever since you came to this world.", Zephyrus said as he smiled at Seventeen.
"I don't know how I should take it.", the android replied with a smile. He nodded to the palace, "Shall we?"
"Of course.", Zephyrus replied as he and Seventeen walked the path toward the palace. They stopped at the huge palace doors. They were decorated with silver dragons that looked like they were guarding the doors.
Seventeen put his hands on the doors and pushed them. They opened quite smoothly despite the apparent age of the palace.
They entered a grand hall decorated with many paintings and statues. Seventeen was wary of the statues as he passed them. His last experience with them was not a pleasant one. He used magia vision to check for any enchantments on the statues.
He didn't find anything but didn't let his guard down. "Don't worry Seventeen. I have sent my wind spirits to check the palace.", Zephyrus assured him.
They passed many rooms examining everything. "The paintings are done in a style that was long forgotten.", Zephyrus said as he examined them, "Probably from the same artist.", he noted.
They stopped in front of two portraits. One showed a beautiful young woman with bright blue eyes and long golden hair that flowed from her shoulders. The other one showed a young man with stormy grey eyes and long white hair.
Zephyrus was captivated by these two individuals, "No way.", he whispered as he read the names written in runes. "This is Arkenstein Lock and his twin sister, Arthemia Lock."
Seventeen looked at the two portraits, "So that is the Founder and his twin. I heard Arthemia was called the Dragon Queen."
Zephyrus nodded, "Indeed. She was the most powerful dragon half-blood to be born. She is also the ancestor of the Night Family."
"Damn.", Seventeen said. He had a sudden thought, "Wait. So can this be a residence of Arkenstein or Arthemia?", he asked.
"Not likely.", Zephyrus shook his head. "The style of architecture and art is different from 4000 years ago. My best guess is that this was a residence of a descendant of Arkenstein or Arthemia."
"You sure have a lot of knowledge about stuff like this.", Seventeen remarked. Zephyrus chuckled, "You would too if you accidentally strike up a conversation with that purple cat."
"Purple cat?", Seventeen was confused, "Oh. You mean the Earth Cardinal.", he guessed. Zephyrus nodded. They then continued to explore the palace.
They reached two huge doors. Seventeen opened them and found themselves in a throne room. It was smaller than the one he last saw but it was impressive. A black throne stood alone on a base attached to the wall. A dragon symbol was engraved on the top part of the back of the throne.
"Looks like this person was associated with dragons. You sure this is not the throne of Arthemia?", Seventeen asked as he examined the throne while getting close to it.
Zephyrus shook his head, "The only ones I know who are associated with dragons are the Night and Dragnia Families."
Seventeen was about to say something when they suddenly heard the unmistakable sound of metal boots on the stone floor echoing in the halls.
Both of them immediately went on high alert. "Who's there?", Zephyrus asked, his voice echoing in the empty throne room. He was surprised.
"It has been a long time since anyone has entered this place.", a deep male voice said as the footsteps got closer.
"Behind us!", Seventeen said as they turned around and looked at the throne. A tall figure stood in the shadows of one of the pillars near the throne.
"Both of you are sharp. I give you that.", the figure said as he came out of the shadows. It was a knight in black armor that fully covered him. He was easily 2 meters tall, reddish smoke came from his joints and his eyes were two flames behind his visor. The dragon symbol on his chest glowed crimson. and he wore a tattered cape over his shoulders.
With each step, his presence became more powerful. The air shook with the magia surrounding the knight. Seventeen gulped his nonexistent saliva. He used his magia scale.
"This guy is easily CAT-1.", he said.
"And we didn't notice him till now. I thought you were the only one who can fully suppress his presence without any enchanted items.", Zephyrus said. His wind spirits would've alerted him if there was someone else beside them in the palace. But he didn't get any news from them.
Seventeen whispered to Selene, "Please get out of here, preferably outside the mountain. Things could get messy."
Selene tried to protest but the look her master had was different from usual. She pecked his earring as if to tell him to stay safe and flew outside the palace. Seventeen felt her getting outside the mountain.
"Will you be able to take him on?", he asked Zephyrus who nodded with a smirk, "We Cardinals can go high-level CAT-1 if we are serious."
Seventeen turned to the knight, "Who are you?"
"I am Vicaris. Commander of the Dragon Knights and personal bodyguard of my king.", the knight's voice resonated through his armor.
"You are a Dragon Knight?", Zephyrus asked in surprise. Vicaris nodded, "It seems you have heard of us."
"What is a Dragon Knight?", Seventeen asked. He had never heard about them. Zephyrus looked at him, "Only a few people know about them."
"They are an order of powerful beings, created by summoning the spirits of powerful and long-dead dragons and putting them in armors. Each Dragon Knight was as strong as a Captain. They are practically invincible and can only die when they choose to leave their bodies or if their bodies are completely destroyed."
"They were chronicled in many works but then they disappeared 3000 years ago.", Zephyrus said.
"So does it mean this guy is three thousand years old?", Seventeen was surprised by the new information. "He could be older.", Zephyrus agreed.
"Are you done talking?", Vicarus said as he took out a greatsword and pointed it at Seventeen, "You are not human. In fact, you are like me. A doll with a soul."
"Getting poetic are we?", Seventeen summoned Nyx. Zephyrus brought out his polearm. Both of them got ready for battle.
"You are standing in front of the throne of my king. I have made it my duty to protect it until he returns. You may not have any malicious intent but you are intruders. I must take care of intruders to protect my king's throne. Besides, it has been a long time since I had a good fight.", Vicarus tilted his head.
"Who is your king? And what did you mean he will return?", Seventeen asked. "I will tell you after you defeat me. Or should I say if?", the Dragon Knight taunted as he slowly approached them.
He disappeared into thin air.
'He's fast!', Seventeen thought as he increased his magia detection. He felt an attack from his left. He can't counter it.
It's too fast.
He immediately raised his arm to block as the greatsword appeared to his left. A loud snap was heard and Seventeen crashed into the wall at tremendous speed. The wall collapsed on top of him and dust flew everywhere.
"Seventeen!", Zephyrus yelled as he jumped back. It all happened in the blink of an eye. The Dragon Knight was standing right where Seventeen was. "Impressive. You were able to block my strike.", Vicaris said.
He looked at Zephyrus, "Is that the extent of his power? I had a feeling he was strong. You better not disappoint me."
"Don't worry. I'll be sure to whup your ass. And that man isn't a pushover either.", Zephyrus said as his eyes glowed green and the winds enveloped his polearm.
He got ready to fight when suddenly a powerful wave of magia hit them. Zephyrus and Vicaris stumbled. Dust billowed from the collapsed wall.
"Man. That attack took me by surprise.", Seventeen's voice said from the dust cloud. Electricity crackled in the air and his silhouette shifted. Zephyrus saw two glowing eyes burning bright blue and there was a distinct hum in the air as magia vibrated around Seventeen.
A massive presence fell upon them and the entire throne room shook. Just like Vicaris, it increased with each step. Zephyrus released his own presence to counter it.
"Looks like you are right about him. What a monster.", Vicaris told Zephyrus. The latter smiled. It has been some time since he felt Seventeen's presence.
"Please step back, Headmaster.", Seventeen said calmly as he emerged from the dust. His mask was cracked and his eyes burned brightly behind them. His left arm hung limp as it had snapped in two.
He removed the fox mask and Zephyrus was surprised by what he saw.
Seventeen was smiling in a way he had never seen before. And he felt fear. It was as if the android had found his perfect opponent. It was the smile of one who loves battle.
Even Vicaris felt unsettled by that smile. 'This is going to be tough.', he thought.
With the same smile, Seventeen said.
"This guy is mine."