--Felix’s Perspective—

Felix was ready for adventure.

He had his knife (a 8-inch-long monstrosity Ira had gotten him for his thirteenth birthday), a good pair of boots (waterproof, of course), his leather training armor (made to keep him from bruising too bad while Ira taught him to fight), and a water skin. Also, some candy he’d stolen from high priest. Old man only ever gave those out when kids were good, and Felix was good all the time, people just didn’t tend to realize it.

So, he had to help himself to the candies, but they were truly just rewards.

“You ready Nova?” He turned to her, grinning. She and Septimius had joined him, Nova because she wanted to see the grotto again, and Septimius because he was worried they’d die on their own.

Psh. Felix was too smart to die. Also, lucky. Very, very lucky (even he knew some of the things he’d done should have killed him, even if they didn’t).

Nova nodded excitedly, and Felix stepped through the remains of the double doors, ignoring Septimius’ anxious groan.

They stopped about halfway through, astonished by the changes the throne room had gone through.

This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

For one, the carvings on the dais had changed. Instead of abstract swirls, there were snakes—not in Dove-metal, but in crystalline curves of mixed pink and deep red. Even abstract, though, the three orphans could tell the snakes were not ordinary. Their heads were blunt, gleaming teeth peeking out from closed mouths. They lacked eyes, as well, but had white noses at the end of their squarish snouts.

Amongst the snakes was a person of the same materials and style, only humanoid, and stars had been fancifully carved in between the figures, glow stone on a glassy black background.

The bas reliefs of the kings had been left standing but had been obscured by golden moss and surrounded by more black stone and ‘stars.’

In fact, both the ceiling and all the walls had, up to a point, had been switched to glassy darkness and night-themed decorations, and the floor to speckled black-and-white granite.

But it had happened to only a quarter of the throne room. The most important part, no doubt, but still only a quarter—the divide marked by a deep, narrow stream which churbled quietly to itself as it ran on, disappearing into the opposite wall.

“It’s…” Nova mumbled. “It grew.”

Felix glanced at her shocked face. “Guess so.”

“Do you think this means the Demon’s getting stronger?” Nova said anxiously.

Septimius and Felix hemmed and hawed for a bit. Both the boys had been told of Nova’s theory, and thought it a reasonable explanation as any.

“It’s too soon to say.” Septimius said, getting caught up in the adventure despite himself. “In a way, isn’t this more a widening of the Maiden’s prison? It’s good if she has more space.”

“Fair enough.” Nova replied.

Felix grinned at them both. “Only one way to find out.”

He stepped over the stream-lined border.