With the Castle’s core now resonating inside him, Aiden followed Regis out of the library, still holding Charlie close. The air within the Castle felt different now—lighter, more alive. There was a subtle hum beneath everything, a pulse of energy he hadn’t noticed before. It was as if the very walls were breathing with life, and now that Aiden had connected with the Castle, he could feel it.

Regis led him down a series of hallways, their vastness reminding Aiden just how massive this place truly was. As they walked, Regis began to explain.

“The Castle of Wisdom is not simply a structure,” he said, his voice calm and steady as always. “It is a reflection of your grandfather’s mind—his vision and his magic. The layout shifts with the needs of its master, but its core remains constant.”

Aiden glanced around, marveling at the architecture. The corridors were vast, with high ceilings and tall windows that let in soft, golden light. The walls were adorned with tapestries depicting scenes of ancient battles, serene landscapes, and mysterious figures cloaked in shadows. The floors were a mix of smooth stone and intricate mosaics, each tile seemingly part of some larger, unseen pattern.

“It feels... alive,” Aiden murmured, almost to himself.

Regis nodded. “In many ways, it is. The Castle responds to you now, Master Aiden. It will shift and change as you need it, revealing more of its secrets as you grow more familiar with it.”

They moved through a grand archway and into what appeared to be an inner courtyard. The space was vast, with stone columns lining the edges and a fountain in the center that bubbled with crystal-clear water. Above, the sky was visible, a deep shade of indigo, scattered with clouds that drifted lazily. The air was fresh and cool, with a faint scent of pine and something floral that Aiden couldn’t quite place.

“This courtyard connects many of the Castle’s wings,” Regis explained. “From here, you can access the various towers, the chambers, and even the lower vaults where some of the more ancient items are stored.”

Aiden paused for a moment, taking it all in. The sheer size of the Castle was starting to hit him, but rather than feel daunted, he felt a growing sense of excitement. There was so much to discover here, so many paths to explore.

But Regis had more to show him.

The butler gestured toward a winding staircase that spiraled upward along one of the nearby towers. “There is something you must see, Master Aiden. Follow me.”

Without another word, Regis began ascending the staircase. Aiden followed closely behind, the stone steps smooth beneath his feet. The climb was long, winding higher and higher, but with each step, Aiden felt a growing anticipation. Charlie barked softly in his arms, as if sensing the same.

As they reached the top of the tower, a massive door stood before them, old but well-crafted, its wood polished and reinforced with dark iron. Regis pushed the door open effortlessly, and the view beyond took Aiden’s breath away.

They stepped out onto a wide balcony that wrapped around the top of the tower. From here, Aiden could see the world of Astralis laid out before him, and it was unlike anything he had ever imagined.

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

The sky above was a swirling tapestry of colors—rich purples, deep blues, and vibrant golds blending together in a way that seemed to shift with the movement of the clouds. A soft breeze swept across the balcony, carrying with it the scent of distant forests and unknown flowers.

Below, the landscape stretched out endlessly in every direction. Rolling hills of emerald green rose and fell, dotted with forests of towering trees whose leaves shimmered in shades of silver and bronze. Rivers snaked through the land, their waters glowing faintly as they caught the light of the strange, ethereal sun that hung high in the sky.

To the east, vast mountains loomed, their peaks covered in snow that sparkled like diamonds. The mountains were steep, jagged, and yet beautiful, with waterfalls cascading down their sides, feeding into the rivers below. Beyond them, in the far distance, Aiden thought he could see the faint outline of what might have been a city, though it was too far to tell for sure.

To the west, the land opened into a wide plain, where strange, glowing plants grew in clusters. Their soft light bathed the ground around them in a gentle luminescence, and Aiden could see creatures—some small, some large—moving among them. The creatures were unlike anything from Earth—winged, long-limbed, or horned, each one appearing both graceful and wild.

“Welcome to Astralis,” Regis said, his voice steady but with an edge of pride. “This world, Master Aiden, was crafted by your grandfather. He shaped it, molded it, and allowed it to grow.”

Aiden’s gaze swept across the landscape, his mind reeling at the sheer vastness of it all. “It’s... incredible,” he whispered. “And all of this is mine?”

Regis nodded. “Yes. Though much of it is still wild and untouched, this world belongs to you. It is mostly empty, but not entirely. There are a few beings who still live here, creatures your grandfather allowed to remain. They respect the balance of Astralis and have no desire to disturb it.”

Aiden felt the weight of those words. A world, a whole world, almost untouched, waiting to be discovered. “So... what happens now?”

Regis turned to him, his black eyes gleaming slightly in the light of the setting sun. “Although you are now the master of this world, your grandfather knew that others would eventually come seeking its magic. I have waited here for you, but I am not alone in my knowledge of this place. You have become like a candle in the darkness, Master Aiden, and many will come to seek the light.”

Aiden’s stomach tightened at the thought. “Others? Are they dangerous?”

Regis’s expression softened, but there was a knowing glint in his eye. “Danger exists everywhere, Master Aiden, but you need not worry. Astralis is vast, and its magic is powerful, more powerful than most realize. You may not know it yet, but you possess great strength. This world is not just a creation—it is a reflection of you, and in time, you will come to understand its magic.”

Aiden’s eyes widened when Regis created a small flame on the tip of his fingertip and said, “And what kind of butler would I be if I would let anyone harm even a hair on my master’s body?”

Aiden was a little convinced and a lot frightened. What frightened him more was how easily he was trusting Regis and how at home he was feeling at this place. He turned his gaze back to the horizon, where the vast plains and forests of Astralis stretched out before him, so full of potential, so full of magic and mystery.

“I guess I have a lot to learn,” Aiden said quietly, more to himself than anyone.

Regis gave a small nod. “Indeed, Master Aiden. But that is the beauty of this place. There is no rush. The world of Astralis is vast. You are not bound by responsibility here. You are free to explore, to discover, and to make this world your own.”

Aiden felt a flicker of excitement in his chest. This wasn’t just an inheritance—it was the start of something new, something wild and full of promise. He felt like a king.

And it wasn’t a bad feeling.

It wasn’t a bad feeling at all.