"This library used to be a torture center for spies and enemy soldiers before the city decided to shut it down. They never bothered to bury the remaining criminals and simply cemented over the dungeons,” he said nonchalantly.
A chill raced up my spine, until it settled under the nape of my neck making my hair raise up in fear.
I quickened my pace to keep up with him. I was convinced this place had to be haunted.
“People avoid coming here at night. They say they often hear screams,” Nichola added, confirming my worst fears about this place.
The dungeon was vast, with only slivers of light seeping through brick-sized windows high up on the walls. I guessed the windows were deliberately small to prevent prisoners from escaping.
Nichola suddenly halted before me, as if sensing my unease. He spun around slowly, an exaggerated smile slowly stretched across his face before he let out an ear-piercing scream.
He screamed.
I screamed.
I screamed even louder, instinctively raising my fists defensively. Seeing my reaction, he burst into hearty laughter, clutching his stomach as he doubled over. “I knew you were a chicken!” he managed between gasps of laughter.
You will be the first person ,I sacrifice!
I mentally cursed him, before I punched the side of his stomach and continued walking.
“W-wait! I was just joking!” he called after me, still unable to stifle his laughter.
“Haha! Idiot,” I muttered, rolling my eyes at his antics. Our steps came to a stop when we reached a dead end. I turned towards him questioningly. Signalling me to wait, he held his hand up and gave me a confirming nod before he pushed a stone back in the wall, revealing a hidden door that opened to our right.
“How do you know all this…?” my voice trailed off in amazement.
Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more.
“I came here once to explore this place and confirm the story about the screams. After that every time I came back, I discovered something new. I know this place like the back of my hand,” he replied.
“So, did you find out?” I asked, curiosity evident in my voice.
“Find out what?” he replied, confused.
“You know…. About the screams.”
“I found nothing. I think the royals made that lore up to keep people away from finding out what they were doing here,” he said, his answer bringing me a small sense of relief.
There were only two things I feared: ghosts and tight spaces. Today, I had faced them both.
“So what are your reasons to come with me?” I asked as we stepped through the newly opened door.
“To find the Spade Dragon,” he casually remarked. “But only someone with an elemental core can access it, which is where you come in,” he added smugly.
So he won't betray me at least until he gets his hands on the spade dragon. Noted.
“What is a Spade Dragon?” I asked, curiously.
“It- was an ancient weapon, no one knows if it exists anymore or not, to find it you will need elemental magic”, he said as if he was deep in some thought.
“And what do I get for helping you?”, I looked at him smugly. Now I know that this guy needs me, I might as well boss him around.
“How about I don’t report you?” he said matter-of-factly. “Though it would be a hassle to find the Spade on my own, I think I can still manage.” His words were enough to silence me.
“But we’re teammates until we find it, so you can trust me not to pull anything,” he added, smirking at me as he raised his hands up in defence.
We finally came to a stop in front of a wooden door. Nichola slowly twisted the door knob open as he used his hand to usher me in. We were currently in the barracks of the library and for once I knew what to do. Nichola and I changed into the white and blue uniform of the royal guards,I quickly fastened the golden belt around my waist as Nichola went through some of the papers that were only on the side table, placed near one of the many beds.
“What are you doing?!”, I whisper shouted as I checked my surroundings.
“Maybe there is a map here or somewhere..”, he muttered as he messily filtered out all the papers.
“Um-hmm”, he sounded defeated. Suddenly the system’s voice popped up.
Hint: Potion Location - East Wing
I glanced at Nichola, who was now staring at the scattered papers with frustration. His furrowed brow and clenched jaw revealed his growing impatience. I knew we couldn’t afford to waste any more time.
“Lets search each end of the library..”, I suggested “we can start from the east end….”, i loosely trailed off.
“We don’t have much time, Killian's spell can wear off any moment and we won't know how your core will react after that. We have to hurry.”, he nodded to himself before he continued, ”Yes. You are right”
Without another word, we both moved, the soft creak of the old floorboards under our feet added to the tension in the room. The east wing awaited us—and hopefully, so did the potion.