They knew their fate—either death or the summoning, though the summoning meant... well, death. Two brothers peered through the opulent skylight, bathed in the evening sun, perhaps for the final time. It felt melancholic, for the sun was blue and splendid. The green sky harmoniously complemented the elder moon, while the two nephew moons lay parallel, casting a crimson red glow. They lingered there, a moment stretched into what felt like a millennium, until a gentle zephyr caressed their faces; they understood it was time. Sharing a sigh, they clasped hands.
Each step demanded the courage of a lion, and each step stung like a seraphython. They descended the stairs originating from the observatory, arriving at their destination sooner than desired. A shared glance, a silent understanding, and then they rapped on the door, stained and uninviting.
……………………….
Senior Guardsman Tristha stood motionless, a false smirk adorning his face. He had endured his ceremonial armour for far longer than he found tolerable. The Hall was now brimming with lean bureaucrats, portly aristocrats, half of the royal family, and a sallow magus from Ambrah; collectively, they were making the atmosphere unbearably hot. Tristha stole occasional glances at the ornate door, forcing himself to cease any inadvertent toe-tapping.
‘How much longer’ he pondered with an invisible sigh.
‘Maybe they've run away. I rather hunt them than wait for em’
This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.
Tristha released an audible sigh, the sound resonating loudly enough to potentially warrant a demotion in rank. He warily scanned the surroundings, but their attention was fixed elsewhere. Finally, the door swung open.
Two fauns entered, possessing the upper chiselled bodies of humans while their lower halves allured to goats with fur, cloven hooves, and gently curved horns. Their large, rheumy eyes anxiously surveyed the entire chamber. Brown tribal tattoos adorned their naked torsos, and they wore necklaces seemingly crafted from coconut leaves. Furthermore, a pleasant herbal scent wafted from them.
Tristha observed as they walked toward the empty centre, hoping they would promptly proceed with their rituals. However, to his irritation, one of the nobles stepped forward to deliver a speech. Tristha harboured disdain for nobles’ speeches, even though he himself was one.
‘Speeches are only good in war, elsewhere its arse. Look at that bastard's sneer, so self-important he is. I'd like to see him rant in full plates…’
After an excessively protracted oration, the audience's attention refocused on the fauns. Much to Tristha's dismay, both creatures inexplicably locked eyes with him. He nodded approvingly, feigning comprehension of their cryptic message.
Positioned three shoulder-widths apart, the fauns commenced to chant. Their surroundings bathed in a poisonous green hue as an unforeseen extraordinary dance unfolded. Their bodies contorted in unprecedented ways, guided by an imperceptible drumbeat. Suddenly, one faun collapsed, the other dropping to his knees, expelling brownish-red blood.
Tristha caught wind of something akin to “I will miss you, brother,” but he chose to disregard it, immersing himself in the spectacle unfolding before him. Positioned behind the faun were two mysterious creatures and a man, standing. Each of their kind was unfamiliar to him. The man boasted alabaster skin and tresses of brown, and the other two…. Monsters clad in garments?