Historias' POV
The moment we stepped through the grand castle doors, I felt the children slow their steps. Their eyes widened in awe, their exhaustion momentarily forgotten as they took in the sight before them.
The main hall stretched high into the ceiling, its arched windows allowing golden sunlight to spill across the polished marble floors. Chandeliers of glowing blue crystals hovered without chains, their soft radiance illuminating intricate carvings lining the walls. Ancient tapestries woven with golden thread depicted long-forgotten battles, heroes whose names had faded into history. The massive twin staircases curled toward the upper floors, their banisters made of beautifully carved darkwood.
I cleared my throat, catching their attention before they gawked any further. "I'll show you where you can stay. Follow me."
Lyrian Vaelthorn, the eldest of the elves, nodded, regaining his composure the fastest. He glanced at Sylphie and Eryndel, who were still turning their heads in every direction, drinking in the sights. The humans, Darian, Gareth, and Reyna, weren't much better off—though Reyna at least tried to act unimpressed, a hand on her hip. Vaelith, the lone demon among them, stayed silent as always, but his eyes were sharp, analyzing everything like he was trying to piece together a puzzle.
I led them deeper inside, down a hallway lined with doors. "These rooms should be sufficient for you to rest. The boys will stay here—" I gestured to the left "—and the girls, here." I pointed to the opposite side.
Reyna crossed her arms. "So old-fashioned."
"Would you rather sleep outside?"
"…No." She sighed, muttering under her breath.
"I thought so." I smirked.
With a flick of my wrist, I called forth the spirits. Wisps of glowing blue light emerged from the walls and ceilings, floating gently like fireflies. The children gasped—except for Vaelith, who simply narrowed his crimson eyes.
"Spirits?" Eryndel breathed, eyes wide with wonder. "So many of them…"
I shrugged as if it were nothing. "I'm simply good with spirits."
Lyrian stared at me, his gaze unreadable. "That's an understatement."
I ignored him. "They will assist you. They'll provide fresh clothes and draw warm baths. Once you're done, you can either meet me in the dining hall or explore the castle if you wish—just be careful."
At that moment, I felt a distinct sensation—the weight of someone's gaze drilling into the back of my head. My ears twitched slightly, but I didn't react. Instead, I turned on my heel and walked off, leaving them in the care of the spirits.
Whoever was watching me would reveal themselves in time.
Sylphie Norendell's POV
I could barely contain my excitement. The castle… The spirits… This elf—who was he?
From the moment we met him in the forest, he had been nothing short of a mystery. First, there was the way he used magic—so effortlessly, yet unlike anything I'd ever seen before. And then there were those runes that had appeared on his skin while he healed us. I had seen something about them before in an old book, but… the memory was frustratingly out of reach.
"Did you see that?" I whispered to Reyna as we stepped into our room. It was massive, with a canopy bed that looked softer than a cloud.
"You mean the spirits?" Reyna raised a brow, untying the ribbon in her hair. "Hard to miss."
"No, I mean his runes! When he healed us earlier."
Reyna frowned. "I thought I saw something, but when I blinked, they were gone."
I pouted. "He said we were seeing things, but I don't believe that."
Reyna sighed. "Sylphie, you think everything is an adventure."
"Well, isn't it?" I grinned.
Gareth Valren's POV
I let out a long breath, stretching my sore limbs. "Finally, somewhere soft to rest."
Darian shot me a look as he sat on the edge of his bed. "You're too relaxed about all of this."
"Why not? We survived, didn't we?" I flopped onto the bed, sighing in relief as my aching muscles melted into the plush mattress.
Darian still looked unconvinced. "Aren't you the least bit curious about our host?"
I scoffed. "Of course I am. But he saved our asses and gave us a place to stay, so I'm not complaining. I say we get some food, figure out where the hell we are, and then—"
A low chuckle cut through my words.
Vaelith, who had barely spoken since we arrived, leaned against the window frame, arms crossed. His crimson eyes glowed slightly in the dim light.
"You humans are far too trusting."
Darian frowned. "And you're far too suspicious."
Vaelith smirked. "That remains to be seen."
I groaned, rolling over. "Can we do this after we eat?"
Historias' POV
I stood on the castle's balcony, gazing down at the vast forest below. My fingers drummed idly against the stone railing.
A warp space… here, of all places.
Warp spaces were incredibly rare phenomena—unstable distortions in space that could randomly appear and transport people unpredictably. The fact that those children had unknowingly stepped into one and arrived at my doorstep… It was too much of a coincidence.
I should keep an eye on them.
I sighed. "Seems like my peaceful days are over."
For the first time in centuries, something was happening. And for better or worse, I had a feeling this was only the beginning.