After an intense battle and hours of travelling through a dense forest, Carl finally emerged into the open. Before him stretched a massive lake connected to a majestic waterfall. As he drove his carriage along the path, he couldn't help but stare at the breathtaking scenery. Towering mountains surrounded the area, casting long shadows over the tranquil water.
To the left of the lake stood an enormous castle, its spires reaching high into the sky, while to the right lay a massive rock formation, resembling a fortress carved by time. Carl briefly glanced at the imposing structure on the right but directed his focus toward the castle on the left.
As the carriage approached the grand gates of the castle, Carl stepped down to inspect them. The gates were far too large and heavy for him to push open alone. With a deep breath, he summoned two guardians to assist.
The towering figures moved effortlessly, opening the gates wide enough for the carriage to pass through. Once inside, Carl led the carriage into the castle courtyard, his eyes wandering over the vast, elegant exterior.
"How long would it take to explore this place?" he wondered, amazement flickering in his mind as he observed the size of the structure.
Entering the main hall, Carl found it in disarray. Dust-coated furniture lay scattered, and many items were damaged or broken. After some searching, he located a light switch. Flicking it on, only a few faint bulbs came to life, casting a dim glow.
"Better than nothing," he muttered, watching his guardians carry his four unconscious companions into the hall. "Follow me. We'll find rooms for them upstairs."
Carl led the way up the creaking staircase, the guardians following closely. They eventually found suitable rooms on the third floor, where each companion was placed in a separate chamber.
Carl took his time tending to them, cleaning their wounds, stopping the bleeding, and changing their blood-soaked clothes. Hours passed as he worked, ensuring his friends were as comfortable and safe as possible.
With his companions settled, Carl turned his attention to himself. He instructed the guardians to remain at the castle's inner entrance and stand guard. "No one must see us," he said firmly. The castle's dim lighting worked in their favor, making it less likely to attract unwanted attention from passersby.
Exhausted, Carl took a quick shower in one of the castle's old but functional bathrooms. The cold water was refreshing against his skin, washing away the grime and blood from earlier. Once he was clean, he set out in search of food.
The dining hall and kitchen, located on the second floor, were vast but barren. Cabinets and shelves were empty, their contents long gone. Even exploring higher levels yielded no supplies. Defeated, Carl returned to the carriage, hoping to find something. His search turned up a few pieces of bread hidden in their supply chest.
Grateful for even the smallest discovery, he took the bread back inside. Before entering, he glanced at his guardians stationed at the doorway. They remained motionless, their presence reassuring. These otherworldly beings didn't require food or rest while in the Human Realm, which allowed Carl to focus on his companions' recovery without added concern.
*
Several days had passed since the group arrived at the castle. The four companions remained unconscious, while Carl busied himself searching for food. Thick fog covered the area as he ventured out to hunt.
By midday, he returned, riding the carriage filled with animals he had caught. The guardians opened the gate for him without a word, their massive forms standing watch as he entered.
Hours passed as Carl skinned the animals and preserved the meat for the days ahead. Once finished, he climbed the stairs to check on Azrael. To his surprise, he found Azrael sitting by the window, gazing thoughtfully into the distance.
"Well, it's about time you woke up," Carl said with a playful smirk. "I thought you were going to sleep for another five years."
Azrael let out a quiet chuckle. "Honestly, I wasn't sure I'd ever wake up again. Lucky me, I guess."
Carl smiled warmly at the response. "Come on, I'm cooking something for us. You must be starving after everything you've been through."
The two made their way to the second floor, where Azrael took a seat at the dining table, watching Carl prepare the meal.
"What about the others?" Azrael asked. "Are they still unconscious?"
Carl nodded as he chopped vegetables. "It might take a few more days before they wake up, especially Kyle. His wounds were the worst."
Azrael frowned, his gaze dropping to the table. "I see..."
"Don't lose hope," Carl said with a reassuring grin. "They'll wake up, I'm sure of it."
Azrael managed a faint smile before his eyes wandered around the room. "Where are we, anyway? This place looks massive."
"We're in Caroline Mountain, inside this enormous castle," Carl replied without looking up from his work.
"Oh, so this is what the inside of a castle looks like," Azrael mused, his tone filled with curiosity.
Carl glanced at him, raising an eyebrow. "Wait, is this your first time seeing one in person?"
"Pretty much."
"That's hard to believe. Are you sure you're royalty? I thought living in a castle was part of the package."
Azrael laughed lightly. "You're confusing royalty with kings."
"Maybe. But in all the years we've traveled across the North and South Continents, we've seen plenty of royal families living in castles," Carl said thoughtfully. "Take the Woods family, for example. Their home isn't as big as this, but it's definitely a castle. Don't tell me you've never lived in a mansion, at least?"
"Not really," Azrael admitted, scratching the back of his head. "I mean, our house is big because there are so many of us, but it's not a mansion."
Carl stared at him for a moment before shaking his head with a laugh. "You're a different kind of royalty, that's for sure."
Azrael smiled faintly. "I think so too."
The two continued talking, sharing personal stories and jokes, as Carl finished preparing the meal.
*
Two days had passed since Azrael awakened at the castle, and Azrael was in the courtyard, training with his cursed dagger. His opponent was one of Carl's guardians, a towering, formidable figure. Carl watched from the sidelines, arms crossed, as he observed Azrael's progress.
"Don't overwork yourself," Carl called out.
Azrael responded with a powerful kick, sending the guardian stumbling back. However, the guardian countered by blocking the attack with its massive arm. It quickly responded, launching a heavy punch aimed directly at Azrael. With a swift motion, Azrael raised his hand, summoning a barrier to deflect the strike.
The guardian paused, momentarily stunned by Azrael's quick defense. Seizing the opportunity, Azrael used wind magic to unbalance the guardian by targeting its legs. As the towering figure stumbled, Azrael lunged forward and landed a forceful blow with his dagger.
"Alright, that's enough!" Carl's voice rang out, breaking the intensity of the match.
Azrael offered his hand to the fallen guardian, who accepted it and gave an approving nod.
Carl approached, clapping slowly. "Impressive. In just a few days, you've grown stronger and learned to control your mana better."
Azrael's determination appeared through as he replied, "I'm starting to understand this weapon. I can feel it—I'm close to unlocking the curse blessing within."
After their training session, the two headed back inside. Azrael waved at the guardians as they passed, receiving a casual wave in return.
As they walked through the castle halls, Azrael turned to Carl. "Do you think mastering mana control will make me better at using elderstaves?"
Carl shrugged. "I can't say for sure since I don't use elderstaves, but controlling mana for a cursed weapon and wielding an elderstave are two different things. Cursed weapons require more focus to avoid draining too much mana from you."
"Hmm, you're right," Azrael mused.
"You're still young, Az," Carl said, slinging an arm around his shoulder. "You've got more potential than anyone I know, so don't rush it. Let things come naturally. Come on, let's eat!"
Azrael smiled at the reassurance. "Alright, but before we eat, why don't we check on the others first?"
"Good idea."
The two climbed the stairs and made their way to the rooms. They visited Kyle first, who remained unconscious, then Jarred, who was in the same state. Finally, they entered Mika's room, where they found her awake, her eyes open and alert.
"M-Mika! You're awake!" Carl exclaimed, his voice filled with joy.
Mika turned her head slowly toward them and gave a small smile. "What's this? Were you worried about me?"
Carl and Azrael couldn't help but grin at her familiar teasing tone. For the first time in days, there was a glimmer of hope.