Celestrian Palace
The room is cloaked in shadow and grandeur, a place where whispers and secrets seem to linger in the air long after they're spoken. Tall, narrow windows line one wall, their thick velvet drapes pulled back just enough to allow narrow beams of light to pierce the room. The light slants across the polished marble floor, casting faint, intricate patterns from the stained glass at the top of each window.
In the center stands a large, oval table of dark mahogany, its surface gleaming, almost as if it's never seen the touch of a careless hand. Around it are high-backed chairs carved with delicate flourishes of vines and mythical beasts, each one a throne in its own right. Gold filigree outlines their edges, catching the dim light and glinting like faint embers in the gloom. Red velvet cushions line each chair, a touch of opulence that barely softens their imposing appearance.
The walls are adorned with tapestries depicting ancient battles and legendary creatures, their colors faded but the tales they tell unmistakable. At one end of the room, a large fireplace looms, its mantle carved with the Celestrian crest—a phoenix rising, its wings spread wide over a crescent moon. Though unlit, faint embers still glow within, casting a weak, flickering warmth that doesn't reach far into the chill of the room.
Bookshelves line the far wall, filled with tomes whose spines are worn from years of use. Scrolls and ancient maps are tucked in between, some rolled and bound with intricate ribbons, others frayed at the edges. A faint scent of parchment and candle wax lingers in the air, mingling with the faint metallic tang of the city beyond the palace walls.
I sit alone at the table, my reflection caught in the polished surface, my form shadowed in the room's quiet darkness. It feels like a place untouched by the present, a room preserved for dealings and decisions that shape kingdoms, a place meant for power and privilege where secrets are spoken and sealed away.
Domnik enters the room and sits next to me as the Empress follows him in close behind. She wanted to speak to him alone at first. I'm sure just to settle whatever squanders they had in the past. She isn't happy but I can tell she's at least willing to have a conversation with me.
"So, Domnik tells me Udis has taken your sister?" She sits at the chair across the table from Domnik and I.
"Yes, but we didn't know at first that it was him. He attacked my home, Pinecrest, about a week ago."
"Pinecrest?" She pauses. "Pinecrest was attacked four weeks ago."
"Four... that doesn't... that doesn't make any sense." I turn to Domnik. He shrugs.
"It may be possible all of your journeying back and forth between here and Malice has impacted the way time was perceived by you two. Either way, go on."
Maybe, but by that much? "Um... well he took Alyse that day and dragged her into a portal. Later he came to me and told me it was Muthos who took her. But Muthos was trying to recruit Domnik so we decided to go to Galagon first and see why that might have been. Galagon wasn't happy with us asking so many questions so we had to fight him. And then Muthos tried to kill us and we narrowly escaped, but he told us Udis had her in Amerei. So finally we went to Ogre to find a way into Amerei and he gave us your name."
She stares blankly at me as if I just rambled on too much. She squints now trying to process everything and then shakes her head.
"Okay, well. He's right, I do know a way into Amerei. Udis has been sending his best to this Kingdom for weeks now as an attempt to take over the kingdoms of man. The ones I single handedly united under this banner fifteen years ago." She points to the crest. "He wants control, and he believes that just because he sits on the Madium Throne, that I will give it to him. But no Daem deserves to sit on that throne." She stares at Domnik. "So if I show you a way in, he will not be going with you."
Domnik nods. "And we already agreed that I would not go, Udis is his. It's personal."
"And that is the only reason I haven't sent the both of you back out into the plains." She adds. She turns to me now. "You are of Draco yes?"
I shake my head in confusion. "I.. I don't know. I thought I was just a normal human but then I killed Galagon, and I wielded a weapon forged of madium. I'm not really sure who my father is, why do you believe it to be Draco?"
"Because, I can feel it within you. The power of a dragon." the gemstone on her necklace glow as she says it. "Do you not hold any gift? Any of his power, anything unlike the magic of the sorcerers in this realm?"
"Power, no? What power would I hold?"
She raises her hand as sparks begin to take form and bounce between her finger tips. Leaping from one another until they cease. "Something like this?"
"Are you a child of the gods as well?"
"A story for another day. One when the ears of the Daem aren't present." Her eyes fixate on Domnik.
He smirks in distaste.
"No matter then. I assume your willpower might be enough to defeat him. You must know that I do wish I could be there to aid you, though I cannot leave my people unattended."
I nod. "I understand Empress."
She smiles. "I must get some rest now, my energy is drained after the battles I've endured today. Tomorrow I will open the way to Amerei."
"Wait, one more thing. Is my brother, Kylen Smith, is he okay? He joined your legion right before the attack on Pinecrest."
She turns to the door and pauses for a second before she opens it. "Ah yes, Kylen is one of my best. He was sent on a very important assignment. I can assure you he is fine. Oh, and I will have my stewardess come in a few minutes to escort you to where you will be staying tonight gentleman."
With that she opens the door and steps out into the hall.
"Well that went better than expected." Domnik says and he stands from his seat.
"What did she want to discuss with you?"
He paces to the fireplace and stares into the dying embers. "Just... she wanted to know why I was traveling around with a celestial born. Then she asked why I was helping him kill Daem after leading an assault on the city. I told her that it was just my orders. I told her how I hate the Daem. She still doesn't trust me, I can tell. But at least she talked to you and heard you out."
I nod. "Yeah. I just hope this is actually the end."
"It is. You know it is. You can feel it. Udis is right here, right under our fingers. He has her, and you're going to get her back."
The stewardess opens the door and peeks in. "Madam Empress has asked me to show you to your room for tonight. Please follow me closely, we don't want any wandering around these halls."
I stand and walk to the door as Domnik follows. I see the stewardess now. She's a little old woman, no more than a meter off the ground. She's dressed in the fanciest clothes I've ever seen. She slowly turns and begins to lead us down the hall to the right of the door.
I call it a hall, but that doesn't seem quite right. It's more like a vast, open-air balcony that overlooks the heart of the palace. To my left, a sweeping stone railing stretches the length of the balcony, carved in intricate patterns that twist and coil like vines frozen in time. Below it, the grand hall spreads out like a shimmering lake, its floor cut from flawless marble, polished to such a high sheen that it catches the glow of the chandeliers overhead.
The marble floor is inlaid with swirling patterns of gold and obsidian, creating a mosaic that resembles a rising storm—a homage to the empire's strength and the woman who built it. From here, I can see the entire expanse of the hall below: high arched windows spilling daylight across the polished stone, banners of deep blue and silver hanging from the vaulted ceiling, each emblazoned with the Stormcrown emblem.
On the far side of the hall, an imposing set of double doors stands, flanked by armored guards, their spears tipped with silver and their eyes alert. The air here feels heavy, almost sacred, a quiet reminder that I am in the presence of power beyond my reach or understanding. It feels like such an honor to be here.
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.
As we move on I see paintings of people lining the wall, each one with a plaque underneath that contains the name and title of the person.
"Astral Roth, The Drifter, Dohlien Wrathstrider, and finally Neon." The old woman says as she walks past each painting. She must have noticed my gaze.
"Who were they?" I ask.
"Friends of Empress Stormcrown. They helped her hunt down The Great Gundriasdan. The eldest dragon of Draco. They saved the land, and from there Brenelor moved on to conquer every nation and untied them under one banner, she was only twenty six when they defeated Gundriasdan, and it only took her a year to conquer the lands. I am surprised you do not know the tale."
"I guess I didn't know a lot of things before I left Pinecrest. What happened to all of them, her friends?"
"Little is known what happened to them after. Mrs. Stormcrown tends to be reserved on the matter. I only know that Mrs. Neon and her were married for a short time before Neon disappeared. She was celestial born too you know."
Brenelor was married to a celestial born woman? Maybe that's why she was so quick to trust me.
"Well anyways, here's your room gentlemen. Hope you have a nice stay here at the palace. I'll be in at sunrise to get you, have a nice night."
"Thank you ma'am." Domnik says as he bows.
She smiles at him and walks away. I hear her say something under her breath. "...damn Daem."
"How pleasant." Domnik smirks sourly as he turns to me and reaches for the door handle.
"What do you expect given the things your family has done." I say as I follow him into the room.
"Well a little bit of kindness would be nice. Any other Daem would have killed everyone in here already. Though I guess with all their attitudes towards me, I am beginning to mull it over."
I chuckle as I close the door behind us.
"Well would you look at that. Brenelor wasn't holding out with the room."
The guest room is grand yet steeped in an understated elegance, designed to both impress and offer comfort without excessive opulence. High, arched windows line one wall, draped in thick, velvety curtains of midnight blue that bear the silver Stormcrown crest. When drawn open, the windows allow the evening light to flood in, casting the room in a soft, warm glow that reflects off the polished stone floor.
A massive four-poster bed dominates the center of the room, its frame crafted from dark wood and carved with intricate patterns of storm clouds and vines. The bed itself is layered with lush blankets and pillows embroidered with silver thread, inviting rest after the long journey through Celestria. Beside it, a sturdy wooden chest with delicate silver inlays sits at its foot, providing space for their belongings.
Along one wall, a fireplace crackles softly, filling the air with a faint scent of burning cedar. Above it hangs a large tapestry depicting a stylized map of the empire, with Valoria, my home province, highlighted in silver thread. Beside the fireplace, a small seating area is arranged with a pair of plush, high-backed chairs and a low table topped with a silver tray, set with an assortment of fresh fruit, bread, and a decanter of wine—a subtle gesture of hospitality from the Empress.
A narrow door off to the side leads to a private bathing chamber, equipped with a large, clawfoot tub and gilded mirrors that reflect the soft light from an overhead lantern. The scent of lavender lingers faintly here, as if the room itself has been prepared with care for distinguished guests.
The room is quiet, a sanctuary amid the bustling palace, though the faint sounds of the empire—voices from distant halls, the clinking of armor, the muffled murmur of guards—linger at the edge of hearing, reminding me of where we are.
Domnik sits down on the bed and begins to bounce up and down on it. "By Chaos himself, this place is fucking amazing. Maybe I shouldn't have gotten on Brenelor's bad side."
"Hopefully you can mend that bridge while I'm off in Amerei."
He nods. "Maybe, I mean I might as well stick around if I get to stay in this room the whole time."
I sit on the other side of the bed and stare into the burning flames of the fire. "Do you think I have a chance, against Udis I mean? Brenelor mentioned me having gifts and now I've been thinking nonstop about how much of an uphill battle I'm going to have without any."
Domnik sinks his teeth into a sweet treat that was left on the silver platter just under the bread. "Udis is the god of madness and beasts. He's literally fucking crazy Red. You win without a doubt. He probably won't even be able to deal a single blow with how jumbled his mind is." His mouth full of food as he speaks.
I point to the tray he's holding and he nods and then tosses me an apple. I take a bite into it and he continues.
"Seriously, powers or not you've got this. Besides, you got the Darkblade, he doesn't stand a chance, don't get into your head about this." He says between bites.
"Maybe you're right."
"No there is no maybe about it, I'm right. You know I am." He reaches for another treat.
I place the half eaten apple on the table and then walk back to the bed. "Well, I'm going to sleep. I'm going to need all my strength in the morning."
"Yeah go for it. Imma drink this bottle of wine and watch the moon."
I roll over and pull the covers up to my neck as he exits the room. I lay awake and stare into the ceiling.
It's carved with delicate designs, swirling patterns of clouds and lightning, and I find myself tracing them with my eyes over and over. Every line and curve is a distraction, a way to keep my mind from racing back to all the impossible things that led me here.
Domnik taking that wine is a sign for sure. I know him well enough by now to know he's just as restless as I am. Maybe worse. His voice hadn't been tense, but something about the way he spoke while he stuffed his face, his jaw set as he'd tried to put on that casual tone. As the door clicked shut behind him, I felt the quiet fill the room, stretching over everything.
I try to focus on anything else—the soft crackle of the dying fire, the faint aroma of lavender still drifting in from the bathing chamber, the warmth of the blankets that feel almost unfamiliar after spending weeks roaming around Malice. But none of it settles my mind.
Alyse. She's out there in Udis' hands, and I don't even know if she's safe. The thought burns in the back of my mind, sharp and bitter. Then there's Celestria, the Empress, all of it—a world I barely understand, a place with rules I felt I knew, but were clearly lies I told myself. Every word Brenelor had said in the meeting room echoes in my mind, her careful smile, the way she'd measured each sentence like it was some kind of calculated move. Trust doesn't come easy here; it's as rare as any precious metal and guarded twice as carefully.
I sit up, the weight of it all pressing down on me. My hands find their way to the pendant around my neck—a worn piece of metal from home. I rub it between my fingers, the familiar roughness grounding me just a little.
The moonlight spills across the room, throwing faint patterns onto the floor from the window lattice. I can't stay in here, trapped by my own thoughts and these silken walls. Pushing back the blankets, I slip out of bed, the cold stone floor a shock beneath my bare feet. The room is quiet, the sounds of the palace muted as if the world itself were holding its breath.
The hallway outside the door is dimly lit, and for a moment, I hesitate, wondering if I should really be wandering around in the middle of the night. But the air feels lighter out here, the walls less constricting, and I need to clear my mind. Maybe I'll find Domnik, maybe I won't—but either way, I have to find some kind of peace before facing Udis tomorrow.
I move quietly down the corridor, the soft torchlight casting flickering shadows along the walls. The tapestries hanging there depict scenes I don't recognize—battles I've never heard of, heroes who are strangers to me, and gods from a pantheon that seems more like legend than faith. They're intimidating and beautiful, an endless story told in rich reds and stormy blues, woven into fabric that's older than I'll ever be.
The hall opens to a balcony overlooking the palace gardens. Moonlight spills across the manicured hedges and statues, illuminating clusters of white roses and patches of dew-kissed grass. It's quiet here, the only sound a faint rustling of leaves as a breeze flows through the garden. I lean against the stone railing, taking it all in, trying to find a moment of calm in the grandeur.
Out of the corner of my eye, I catch a flicker of movement—a figure in the garden below, half-shrouded in shadow. I know it's Domnik even before I see him fully. He's pacing, hands tucked in his pockets, staring out at nothing in particular and taking sips from the bottle of wine. I almost call out to him, but something holds me back. There's a tension in his stance, his shoulders hunched, his expression hard and distant, even in profile.
I watch him for a while, leaning against the cool stone, hidden in the shadows. For all the times we've fought side by side, for all the nights spent sharing the same laughs, there's still so much about Domnik I don't understand, things I feel I might never know. He carries a weight that feels too heavy for anyone, let alone someone so close to my age.
Eventually, I make my way down to the garden, my steps careful and slow, and Domnik hears me before I get too close. He turns, his expression guarded for just a moment before it softens, almost relieved.
"Couldn't sleep then?" He asks.
I shove my hands into my own pockets, mirroring his stance as I shake my head in regret of my attempts to sleep.
Domnik huffs, a soft, almost sarcastic laugh. "Yeah, theres no way I could either if I were you, just being hones. I just have to find a way to clear my head."
We stand there in silence for a while, the cool night air bracing but somehow calming. The scent of the roses is heavy around us, mingling with the crispness of the night.
"It's all a lot, huh?" I say finally. "This place... everything."
Domnik nods, looking down at his feet. "Yeah. It's like walking into a story that's already been told a thousand times. And we're just... characters who don't know the script yet."
I sigh, nodding in agreement. "Brenelor said a lot without saying anything at all. I don't know what she wants from me, but I don't trust her, or any of them. She seems to reserved, just like that old lady said. She really thinks I could kill Udis on my own." I glance at Domnik, who's looking up at the palace, his gaze hard, like he's studying every window and balcony, every flicker of torchlight.
"You said you could though, it's what you want, right?" he says, almost too quietly.
I nod.
"She see you as a weapon, maybe? A tool she can use just to get what she wants for her people." He clenches his fists, jaw set. "I don't care what title she has or how much power she holds. If she thinks I'm just some pawn in her game, or some evil worthless Daem..." He trails off, his voice tight with anger.
There's a resolve in his words that I've heard before, but it's sharper now, edged with something darker. I put a hand on his shoulder. "You're more than that, Domnik. We both are. We have each other's backs, right?"
For a moment, his expression softens. He meets my eyes and nods. "Yeah. You're right." He takes a breath, visibly trying to let go of some of that tension. "No matter what happens, we're in this together."
We fall silent again, just standing there, grounding ourselves in that quiet understanding.
Eventually, Domnik breaks the silence. "Come on, let's head back. I think we've had enough grand gardens and marble halls for one night."
I nod, giving the palace one last look before we turn back toward the guest wing. The gardens fade behind us as we walk, but that weight—the shared, unspoken understanding—remains. We're just two kids from broken places, tangled in a game far bigger than us. But, for tonight at least, that knowledge feels like enough.