"So... Are we going to check it out?" Erich asked, looking across the large castle in front of them. The entire thing was made from the hardened crystals they had been passing along the way, and it was situated on a small island that was surrounded by water that was glowing. The water had a long crystal bridge that connected the island to the place the group was standing.
"We might as well, I don't see any other way out of here, and the castle might have some treasures inside it," Sydra said as he walked over to the bridge and hesitantly stepped onto it. Unlike the crystal he had picked up earlier, the bridge didn't vibrate and shatter.
"It looks fine to me, also I don't see any danger around here," Robert said as he followed Sydra over the bridge, with Erich and Cidre right behind him. While walking over the bridge, Sydra glanced into the water to see what was causing it to glow. Searching the calm water, Sydra saw something that resembled a large eye, staring back at him. However, the eye was surrounded by rocks and it didn't seem to be moving.
"Hey Cidre, can you see that thing that looks like an eye down there?" Sydra asked turning to Cidre, who walked up and looked into the water.
"I don't see any eyes? Are you playing a prank on me?" Cidre asked as he searched the water for anything that resembled an eye.
"What? No, I'm talking about..." Sydra trailed off as he looked back into the water, only to notice that it was no longer there. "That's not good," Sydra murmured as he began to cross the bridge a bit quicker. A few seconds later and the group was standing on the small island that had the castle on it. Looking back at the water, Sydra shuddered at the thought of having to fight whatever creature had such a large eye.
"Where do you think the entrance is?" Robert asked as he looked around the castle for a way to get inside. In front of the castle, the group looked like ants, and it would take an hour to walk to the sides from the middle. Scanning the front of the castle, Sydra noticed the faint outline of a crack that was in the shape of an arched door.
"I think that's it," Sydra said, pointing at the large door in front of them, which was large enough that the group missed it at first glance. The others started to back up so they could get a better look at the door that Sydra had pointed out.
"Oh geez, that's a big door. How are we supposed to open it?" Erich said while blankly looking at the door. At the top of the door was an inscription that read 'Only an unshattered heart shall open the gate of Crystonia,'
"What do you think it means by unshattered heart? And who names their castle Crystonia, that's not a cool name at all," Cidre said as he looked closer at the door trying to find any more hints that could help them.
"Hey, doesn't this look like a slot that something could fit into?" Robert asked as he ran his fingers over a small alcove in the door. Walking over, Sydra placed his hand over the alcove and began manipulating the bone armor to create a mold of the alcove. Once the mold was complete, Sydra pulled his hand out and showed it to the others. The mold resembled a large donut with crisscrossing webs running inside it.
"We should look around for something that mirrors this shape. If we can find it, then I'm pretty sure we can open this door," Sydra said as he imprinted some mud that was next to the water with the shape. After making four copies of it, Sydra released his bone manipulation before heating the mud imprints with his heat manipulation. Once the imprints were hardened into stone, Sydra picked them and handed them to the others, keeping one for himself.
"Where do you think it would be?" Cidre asked as he studied the imprint in his hand. So far, other than the castle, the group hadn't come across anything else.
"Maybe it is hidden as one of the crystals along the hallway on the way here? I think we should look there for it," Robert said, thinking that a crystal castle would have a crystal key.
"I think that makes sense, but you three should look for it in there, but be careful when picking them up. I will stay here and look around the castle for it, as it may be hidden somewhere in the water. We should meet back up here in three hours unless we manage to find it." Sydra said before everyone agreed and split ways, with Sydra walking off to search around the castle. He was curious about the eye he had seen earlier and felt it might have something to do with the castle.
Walking to the side of the pond, Sydra peered into the glowing water. Scanning the bottom of the pond, Sydra searched through the glowing plants for the creatures he had seen earlier. Seeing nothing, Sydra continued walking along the bank and looking into the water.
"Where is it? I'm sure I saw something earlier, but I can't seem to find it now," Sydra murmured as he bent down to try and see things from a different angle.
"What are you looking for?" Said a voice from behind Sydra. Turning around slowly Sydra saw an aged man with a long beard, wearing a blue robe. On top of his head were two small yellow horns, and covering his arms were light blue scales.
"Ahh!" Sydra yelled as he fell backwards into the water. "Who are you?!" Sydra said as he jumped up from the water and prepared himself for a battle.
"I'm the sea dragon you saw earlier and my name is Siel, I simply took on my spirit form to ask what you were doing. So... What are you doing?" Siel asked as he peered past Sydra into the water. Sensing no hostility from him, Sydra slowly lowered his weapons and stepped out of the water, before raising the heat around him to dry off his clothes.
"I was actually looking for you, as I thought you might have something to do with the castle door, and the way we can open it," Sydra said as the water steamed off his body, dissipating into the air.
"Oh that? Yeah, I have the key with me, but I can't just give it to you," Siel said as he stepped back from the water and pulled a light blue key out of his sleeve.
"Hmm... Why not?" Sydra asked as he looked at the key in Siel's hand. If the castle actually belonged to the Sea Dragon, then there was no reason for the group to try and barge into his home.
"Because I need something from the castle, but I can't enter it myself. So if you want to enter the castle, then you have to do get something for me in return," Siel said as he led Sydra back to the entrance of the castle. It had only been around half an hour so the others were still searching the cave for the key.
"Can you tell me more about the castle first?" Sydra asked, thinking it would be a good idea to get an idea of the castles origins before venturing inside.
"Sure, the crystal castle you see was built by a man long ago whose power was the manipulation of crystals. One day, he stumbled upon this large crystal vein, and decided to build a castle here. After the castle was complete the man created crystalized beings to interact with, and had them build this pond around his castle. Becoming lonely as the only things he interacted with were crystals, the man went to the sea and captured me as a pet. At the time I was still a young sea dragon so it was quite easy for him to capture me. He than brought me here and told me to live in the pond, trapping me by taking my gem. I can't be far from my gem, or I will die, and I can't enter the castle due to a barrier that keeps me out. The man eventually died, leaving crystal guards to protect his castle. Since then I've been here, only eating the glowing plants you see, and sleeping. When I noticed your group my hope to leave this place reignited, and I decided to reach out for help," Siel explained hoping to gain sympathy from Sydra with his sad story.
"Is there anything good inside the palace?" Sydra asked, ignoring the story and focusing more on the possible gains. It is true that he felt bad for Siel, but he wasn't going to risk the groups safety for a person he just met for nothing.
"I believe so, the man was constantly exploring the world for different crystals and brining them back to he castle. "He should have amassed a large wealth over time," Siel said, sighing at the fact that Sydra seemed more interested in treasure, than helping him out.
"Now that sounds interesting, so I will agree to your request. We will search the castle for your gem, and if we are able to find it, we will bring it back to you," Sydra said as he reached out his hand to shake Siel's.
"Really? Haha, great. Here is the key then," Siel said, handing the key over to Sydra before diving into the water.
"I think his old age must have made him a bit desperate," Sydra said as he went to find the others and explain the situation to them.