James walked through the wide castle halls, his body heavy with the exhaustion of the battle. The stone corridors were familiar, but after the battle with Drakarra, everything seemed darker, more oppressive. His thoughts churned with the events of the day, his mind struggling to process the scale of the threat they now faced. The quiet hum of castle life was a stark contrast to the chaos of the arena, where only hours earlier, the heat of battle had filled the air.
He reached his chambers and pushed open the heavy wooden door. The scent of fresh herbs and flowers drifted from the room, bringing a brief moment of calm to his chaotic mind. Inside, the warmth of the hearth glowed, casting soft shadows against the stone walls. Pippy was waiting for him, sitting on the edge of the bed. Her eyes met his with concern, but also with the quiet strength he had come to admire in her.
