The rest of the rooms were eerily kindred, though the numbers of chimera’s increased in each. Every chamber had a unique painting, showcasing epic battles of races –the millennial enmity between Archon’s and Asura alike, from the lesser realm –Elves, Humans, Dwarves, and mystical faerix. The faerix resembled human children, with pointy ears framing innocent faces and a pair of chalky-bijou wings. If elves were the protector of forest, then faerix are the guardian of forest and life itself.

From the Behemora realm, Titans –human like beings with the strength to lift mountains with ease. And from the realm of shadows, the Umbrals, stealthiest assassin, rumour has it, even their shadows can kill. There were –

“Cal”

Aelwyn’s voice interrupted my thoughts.

“Cal!!”, she tugged at my sleeves, her violet ruby-like eyes gleaming as she tilted her head, a mischievous smile playing on her lips. “Can I call you Cal? Caladrel is so long”

I gave her a hard look, my brows frowning. “No nick-names”, I said flatly, shaking my head before she could even finish her sentence. All the other lesser had this exact same look –virtuous, righteous, uptight… after all the protection we gave, and what we got in return? –a betrayal followed with a bloody massacre.

Her smile faded, replaced with a pout. “Fine, fine.” But her innocent expression annoyed me even further.

Ignoring her stare, I reached upon the atmospheric aether, letting my will guide it. As a wave of indistinguishable aether spirals out, scanning the 10th room…after few brief seconds, I exhaled –a mixt of relief and unease. No chimeras, not here at least.

I brushed aside my doubt. “Move” I muttered, beckoning Aelwyn to follow me. My eyes locked on the door-knob at the end of the room, its handle beaming with flickering light of the nearby candle. Pulling it open, we stepped once again into a long and narrow passageway. The starless vault was looming over-head, an oppressive darkness that seems to expends forever. Torches were clamped on the, casting distorted shadows across the floor.

“Cal,” I supressed a sigh as her voice broke the silence again. “Um once we are out of here, will you teach me how to fight?” She pleaded, her voice was hopeful, trembling with excitement. But deep within my guts something twisted –an unknown guilt.

“Why don’t you ask your elders?” I snapped at her, keeping my gaze ahead. I couldn’t bear to look at her dejected eyes, framing her innocent face.

She hesitated, falling behind for a moment. As if nothing happened, she sprinted to match my pace. I could sense her mouth open, but then she thought better of it and close it again.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

Minutes passed, the only sound being the frequent crackling of the torches and thud of our heavy footsteps. Then, I felt her poking at my side, her gaze drilling into my face like a child demanding attention.

“What?”, Turning I asked her with my eye brow raised, my tired-voice revibrating across the corridor.

“Wh –why are you being so cold to me?”, her voice wavered, her eyes glistening as she blinked back tears. “…Did –Did I do something wrong?”

I froze. The tears that spilled down her cheeks, catching the torchlight. My heart sank back at the sight. It felt like she held those words for so long –too long, and now it all came crashing down like a fountain of emotions.

I moved my hand closer to console her, but hesitated before letting it fall by at my side. “Aelwyn, It’s not like that”. My voice falling deaf to her ears, as her sobs grew more louder. I was torn between my conflicting thoughts, my mind being logical and my heart stating otherwise.

“No –ever since 3rd room…”, she sobbed, locking her eyes to mine, our eyes meeting in silence exchange of information.

“Hic –ever since the 3rd chamber, you’ve been distancing yourself… Not once did you look back at me… is it because I am a burden?”.

The emotions began to spill out of her, as each tear that feel, a sharp pain hit my throat like a needle. Tightening around like the asura of the world.

I understand her now. Aelwyn, she wasn’t someone who got much attention from her surrounding –maybe she never really fit. Either way, I had no clue to comfort her… or maybe I do.

I lifted my hand, hesitating for a moment before deciding to pat her head gently. She froze, her sobbing quitting as I pulled her in a soft, and gentle embrace. It was how I used to calm Elsiya if she ever gets angry or feel sad, which was rare.

“I have my circumstances,” I muttered softly, yet with gentleness laced in my voice. “No I can’t explain them to you… But do you think you will be able to handle my teaching?”

Aelwyn teary eyes brightened instantly, her lips curling into a giggle as she wiped the last drop of tears with the back of her palm. “Yes! I can handle it just like you. So, it’s a promise then?”, the excitement of her voice was evident.

I chuckled softly. “Yeah, it’s a promise”, letting go of the hug, I gave her a playful thumbs up. She laughed –an innocent, carefree laugh that echoed down the narrow corridor.

“Oh Cal! You should know,” A mischievous smile curled up her lips. “I’m actually a princess,” she declared, crossing her arms and puffing out her chest with pride.

“So, should I start calling you princess Aelwyn then?”, I teased her, furrowing my brow as if truly puzzled.

“Hmph –Don’t make fun of me Cal.”, she pouted, pretending to be angry but soon her masked fall off in another giggle. “You can live in my palace too! It’s huge you know…. everyone’s always so busy, even my elder sister…” Aelwyn trailed off, her tone, a mixture of melancholy creeping in.

She is like the child version of Elsiya. It was when I first met her, she came with her mother –who was Queen Aravelle also my mother’s best friend. Elsiya –

I froze. Suddenly I caught onto something. Sensing my tensed body, Aelwyn opened her mouth to ask but with a wave of my finger she fell silent, her brow widened in concern.

Two life signatures, not chimera but its body similar that of a human being. A female scream echoed out, cutting across us, followed by a deafening boom that resonated across the passageway, shaking the wall around us.

I signalled to Aelwyn, and we picked up our pace. The source of the clamour was getting nearer each second, our footsteps were ringing louder, and faster. The shadow cast by the flickering torch began to dance wildly, some falling and chattering as the path ahead was swallowed by a creeping darkness