As Chase and Arthur trailed behind Aegiron, the rhythmic clatter of the centaur's hooves reverberated against the marble hallways. Neither of them spoke, both unsure of what awaited them. Aegiron, his towering form casting long shadows under the dim light of sconces, finally pushed open a heavy iron door. A gust of cool air swept in, and Chase squinted as he stepped outside.
The sight before him was unlike anything he had ever seen.
The sky stretched above them in hues of crimson and gold, streaked with faint wisps of cloud that shimmered as though laced with stardust. Two moons hung in the heavens—one a radiant silver orb casting a soft glow, and the other smaller, with a faint reddish tint, like a dying ember. Together, they bathed the landscape in an otherworldly light that was both beautiful and unsettling.
Arthur let out a low whistle. "Well, this ain't Kansas," he muttered, craning his neck to take in the alien sky.
Chase didn't respond, his gaze fixed on the horizon. The ground beneath their feet was paved with dark stone, polished to a mirror-like finish, reflecting the strange red light above. The campus stretched out before them in a perfect blend of order and grandeur, every detail meticulously crafted.
To their left stood rows of towering buildings, their walls constructed from black and silver marble that gleamed under the moons' light. Each structure was adorned with intricate carvings—mythical beasts, ancient runes, and swirling patterns that seemed almost alive, shifting subtly as the eye tried to follow them. Spires rose from the roofs, their tips piercing the heavens, some even glowing faintly with an inner light.
Ahead lay the heart of the campus, a grand plaza paved with mosaic tiles in shades of crimson, gold, and obsidian. At its center stood a massive fountain, its waters glowing an ethereal blue. The fountain depicted a figure holding a staff, water cascading down in perfect arcs to form a pool that shimmered like liquid crystal. Around the edges of the plaza, clusters of students were gathered, their voices carrying faintly on the cool breeze.
Arthur nudged Chase, nodding toward a group of students with glowing bands on their wrists. "Looks like we're not the only ones here. Think they're from Earth, too?"
"Maybe," Chase said absently, his attention drawn to a building in the distance that looked like a library.
The library was a masterpiece of architecture. Its façade was a mosaic of stained glass windows that shimmered with the light of the moons, depicting scenes of battles, discoveries, and triumphs. The doors were massive and carved from dark wood, bound with golden runes that seemed to pulse faintly. Above the entrance, a single word was inscribed in an unfamiliar script, its meaning just beyond Chase's grasp.
To the right of the library stood what appeared to be the lecture halls, arranged in a semi-circle. Each hall was marked by a large emblem above its entrance, symbolizing different disciplines—alchemy, elemental magic, summoning, and more. Aegiron led them past these buildings without a word, his hooves clopping against the stone paths as he headed toward the far end of the campus.
Chase and Arthur followed, their attention now shifting to the landscape around them. Unlike Earth, the flora here was otherworldly. Trees with dark purple bark and silver leaves swayed gently in the breeze, their branches glowing faintly as if imbued with magic. Strange flowers dotted the grounds, their petals emitting soft pulses of light in shades of blue, pink, and green. Even the grass beneath their feet wasn't ordinary—it was black and silky, glinting like obsidian under the moons.
"What kind of place is this?" Arthur whispered, his voice tinged with awe.
Chase didn't answer. His eyes were drawn to the horizon, where the landscape gave way to a sprawling forest, its canopy glowing faintly with bioluminescent light. Beyond that, jagged mountains loomed, their peaks capped with a substance that sparkled like diamonds under the alien sky.
It wasn't until they crested a small hill that the true marvel came into view.
"That's... the hostel?" Arthur breathed, his voice barely audible.
In the distance stood a structure so magnificent it seemed to belong to another realm entirely. The hostel wasn't just a building; it was a castle—a fortress of elegance and power. Its walls were a blend of silver and onyx, shimmering as though they were alive. Dozens of towers spiraled into the heavens, each crowned with glowing orbs that pulsed faintly, like beating hearts.
Massive arched windows lined the walls, their stained glass depicting scenes of stars, dragons, and ancient wars. Balconies jutted out from every tower, their railings crafted from gleaming gold. The main entrance was a massive double door, made of what looked like pure obsidian, framed by columns of silver that spiraled upward.
"Holy shit," Arthur whispered. "It's like something out of a fantasy movie."
Chase didn't reply. He was captivated by the sheer beauty of the structure, but there was something unsettling about it too. The glowing orbs atop the towers flickered faintly, almost like eyes watching them. The entire building seemed to hum with an unseen energy, as though it were alive.
As they descended the hill, the details of the hostel became even clearer. The courtyard in front of it was vast, paved with polished stone that reflected the light of the moons like a mirror. Statues lined the path leading to the entrance, each one depicting a different figure—a warrior, a mage, a beast. Their expressions were fierce, their eyes seemingly locked on whoever passed by.
Chase and Arthur trailed behind Aegiron as they neared the grand hostel. The castle-like structure loomed larger with every step, its golden spires piercing the crimson sky. Arthur couldn't help but grin, nudging Chase in the ribs.
"Well, if this is our punishment, I might actually thank that cow-legged bastard," he whispered.
But just as they reached the massive gates of the hostel, Aegiron veered sharply to the left.
"Uh, where are we going?" Arthur asked, his grin faltering.
Aegiron didn't answer.
The path they now followed led away from the pristine grandeur of the campus, past rows of neatly kept trees and glowing flowers, into a quieter, less inviting area. The light from the moons dimmed here, and the air grew colder. Shadows danced eerily as if alive, and the path beneath their feet became uneven and cracked.
Arthur's unease grew with every step. "Hey, uh, big guy... this isn't some elaborate way to kill us, is it? Because, uh, I'd really prefer the nice castle over whatever creepy shit you've got planned."
Aegiron harrumphed, his tail flicking irritably. "Shut your mouth, fool," he growled, though there was a faint smirk on his lips.
The path finally ended at a clearing, and in the middle of it stood a house—or what might have once been a house.
The structure leaned awkwardly to one side as if a single gust of wind could send it toppling over. Its walls were cracked and warped, with patches of wood missing entirely. The roof sagged precariously, and several shingles dangled, ready to fall at the slightest provocation. The door hung on one hinge, creaking slightly in the faint breeze. A faint smell of mildew and rot wafted from the building, making Arthur gag.
"Uh..." Arthur started, looking around nervously. "So... are we here to pick something up or—"
Aegiron let out a deep, rumbling laugh that shook the ground beneath their feet. "Pick something up? No, no, you idiot. This—" he gestured grandly toward the decrepit building, "—this is where you'll be staying. Your punishment for being twat fuckers."
Arthur's jaw dropped. "You're joking."
Aegiron crossed his arms, a smug grin spreading across his face. "Do I look like I'm joking?"
Arthur looked at Chase, his mouth opening and closing like a fish gasping for air. Chase, meanwhile, simply stared at the house, his expression unreadable.
"You've gotta be kidding me," Arthur finally managed, his voice rising. "This place looks like it's been condemned for centuries! You're not serious, right? Right?"
Aegiron turned without a word and began walking back the way they'd come, his tail swishing behind him.
"Hey! HEY!" Arthur shouted after him, throwing his hands in the air. "You can't just dump us here and leave!"
Aegiron didn't respond. He started humming a tune—a jaunty, out-of-place melody that only served to infuriate Arthur further.
Arthur pointed at the retreating centaur, his face red with rage. "You son of a bitch! You think this is funny, huh? You think you're some big-shot prankster, huh? Fuck your mother, you stupid bastard! Even a cow wouldn't live here! This place is a fucking death trap!"
Aegiron kept walking, his humming growing louder, as if deliberately drowning out Arthur's curses.
"Come back here, you overgrown mule!" Arthur yelled, stomping his foot. "Don't pretend you can't hear me, you four-legged piece of shit! I hope you step on a nail and it goes straight through your hoof! I hope—"
"Arthur," Chase finally said, cutting him off.
"What?" Arthur snapped, rounding on him.
"Save your breath," Chase said, his tone flat. "He's not coming back."
Arthur turned to see Aegiron disappearing down the path, his form fading into the shadows. His curses trailed off into a string of incoherent muttering as he turned back to the house, glaring at it as if it had personally insulted him.
"This isn't over," Arthur muttered darkly, shaking his fist in the direction Aegiron had gone. "Mark my words, you cow-legged bastard. This isn't over!"