The woman was tall and slender, her presence commanding, almost regal. Cascading waves of jet-black curls fell to her waist, swaying subtly as she moved. When she turned her head, the group saw her face obscured by a masquerade mask. It was a stark contrast to the brutal samurai mask from before—this one adorned with black feathers and gilded with shimmering gold. A single, star-shaped diamond sat embedded at its center, refracting the dim light like frost glittering under a pale moon. She stood poised and cold, exuding an aura of unshakable authority, as if she were the queen of this forsaken realm.

"Greetings," she said, her voice smooth and commanding, laced with quiet arrogance. "I am Grianna. Welcome."

Her piercing gaze swept over the group, lingering on each of them as if she could see through their very souls.

Orion stepped forward, his expression calm but calculated. "A pleasure to meet you, Lady Grianna," he said, his voice steady. "We have many questions about this place. Perhaps you could enlighten us."

Her eyes settled on him, softening slightly. There was a magnetic quality to him—his sharp features, unwavering composure, and the faint smile playing on his lips.

"And who might you be?" she asked, her tone edged with intrigue.

"My name is Orion," he replied smoothly, choosing his words carefully. "I'm a… companion for emotional support."

A laugh escaped her, light yet laced with subtle amusement. "How curious. A profession I've never encountered before," she said, the faintest smirk gracing her lips.

Watching their exchange, Michael's jaw tightened. He strode forward, his confidence on full display. "A stroke of fortune that we meet, Lady Grianna," he said, his voice warm and deliberate. "I'm Michael."

Grianna's masked face turned toward him briefly, only to dismiss him with a flicker of indifference. She didn't reply, her disinterest palpable.

"Hey! Are we seriously wasting time flirting while we're stuck in this place?" Halia's sharp voice cut through the tension. She crossed her arms, glaring at Orion and Michael with exasperation.

Orion didn't flinch, his attention locked on Grianna. "Do you know where the exit is, Lady Grianna?"

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Grianna's gaze lingered on him for a moment before she turned gracefully toward the towering double doors at the far end of the hall. With a fluid motion of her hand, the doors creaked open, revealing a shadowy interior.

"You seek an exit?" she said coolly. "Follow me."

Her crimson dress rippled as she moved, vanishing into the shadows with an elegance that demanded attention. Orion and Michael followed without hesitation, their footsteps echoing through the cavernous space.

The rest exchanged uneasy glances before trailing after them.

The interior of the castle stunned them into silence. It was vast, a masterpiece of ancient craftsmanship. High vaulted ceilings soared above them, adorned with intricate carvings. Faint golden light seeped from wall sconces, casting long, shifting shadows that danced on the stone walls.

At the heart of the hall stood a circular structure unlike anything they had ever seen.

The group approached it cautiously, their eyes widening as they took in its details. The structure, at least six meters in diameter, resembled a colossal astrological chart. Twelve obsidian zodiac symbols encircled its outer edge, glowing faintly with an eerie, otherworldly light.

At the center sat a ruby the size of a clenched fist. Golden and silver lines radiated outward from the gem, forming a labyrinthine design that connected each zodiac sign. The entire wheel seemed alive, pulsating faintly as though it awaited something—or someone.

"Look at this!" Naima exclaimed, darting forward. "It's like something out of a fantasy novel!"

"Don't touch it!" Thomason barked, grabbing her arm and pulling her back. His voice was sharp, his instincts screaming that this place was dangerous.

Orion crouched near the edge of the wheel, studying the intricate carvings. "This reminds me of the fresco outside," he murmured, his brows furrowed in thought. "It feels… ritualistic. Professor, what do you make of it?"

Elton knelt beside him, his fingers tracing the Latin inscriptions etched into the obsidian. "Ancient Latin," he said, his voice low. "It reads, 'Only through faith in destiny shall the path be revealed.'"

"Faith in destiny…" Orion echoed, his gaze shifting from the zodiac symbols to the glowing ruby at the center. He slowly straightened, his eyes locking onto Grianna. She stood on an elevated platform overlooking them, her figure framed by the dim light.

"Lady Grianna," he called, his voice firm. "What is the purpose of this place? Why have you brought us here?"

She tilted her head, her expression hidden beneath the mask. "To choose your destiny," she said, her voice calm, almost serene.

She gestured toward the wheel with a sweeping motion. "The wheel has stood here for over a millennium. It was crafted to guide those who arrive in this realm. Stand upon it, and the gods will decide your fate."

Her words hung in the air, heavy and ominous.

"And what happens if we refuse?" Halia asked, her voice trembling despite her defiant tone.

Grianna's lips curved into a faint smile beneath the mask. "Refusal," she said softly, "is not an option."

The group exchanged uneasy glances, the tension in the room thick enough to choke on. The glowing zodiac symbols seemed to pulse in time with their racing hearts.

"Step forward," Grianna commanded, her voice slicing through the silence. "Your fate awaits."