Sun leads us deeper into the city. Most buildings in these parts are taller than the others, they tower over us like giants. The stained-glass windows are depicted with what's likely legends and myths. In multiple of them there are humanoid shapes – they're dressed in capes and veils covering their faces. Most are portraying the seven guardians.

One of the stained-glass windows catch my attention the most. A sleeping human on an altar. His long white hair is tied around his face and the naked body. It's so eye-catching that I stop in the middle of the street. A slight nudge on my shoulder from Nine makes me move again. The image of the pale, naked man interwoven in his own hair refuses to leave my thoughts.

"Some changes were needed." Sun doesn't sound as anxious anymore, her hands are clasped together resting on her stomach. "I'll have to show you the Hall of Memories later."

"Aren't we on our way there now?"

Sun leads us into a narrower street. "No, we're heading towards the Guardians' Citadel."

I had wondered why Nine was following us, I should have realized I was the one not fitting in.

"And what will we do there?"

"You will not do anything," she says. "After your little mishap in the library you shall stand quietly and not even lift a finger. Have I made myself clear?"

"Crystal clear."

We continue through a broader street that leads us to a white fortress with rounded walls. It is surrounded by the turquoise water, and a staircase made of glass ascends to the large gate of white stone. Two ocean blue jewels sit on each side of the entrance, once we climb the stairs they light up by our presence. It only takes a few seconds until the gate opens up. I had imagined Gargoyles on the other side like at the entrance of the city, but in front of us is Blomst.

She has an impatient expression, with slight annoyance hiding behind her eyes. Considering what she's wearing I doubt she had plans to be here at this moment. The brown hair that's usually in two buns now lays over her shoulder, it's also adorned with flowers. She's dressed in a beautiful purple dress that has a slit on one side of her leg. Once she's done staring me down, she moves her gaze along to Nine behind us.

"I see you brought an extra one," she says.

"Orchid has an errand in Arkaros, and I was to show her around. Had I known you'd call for me I'd bring her another day. But Orchid won't move a finger while we speak, will you?" Sun says.

"I won't move a millimeter."

Blomst sighs and makes a hand gesture. "Follow me."

The large gate closes behind us as we follow her inside. The hall is gigantic, and the floor is made of glass, it's divided into squares that separates each box with a thin layer of white stone. Underneath the turquoise water is visible, it's mostly still with its occasional calm wave. The walls are white and large pillars stand on each side of the room and in the middle is another staircase. It leads to the second floor that is made of the same white material as the walls.

Blomst leads us up the stairs, the purple dress drags against the floor and Sun, who's first in line, keeps her distance to not accidentally step on it.

The fortress feels gigantic and it's hard to know how far we've gone. Blomst leads us up multiple stairs to what is the sixth or seventh floor. The walls rarely have any windows and most of them is painted in the same depictions from the stained-glasses I had seen in Arkaros' streets.

Most are of the seven guardians, and the nude human is depicted in some of the murals. His hair is twisted around his body, always hiding his eyes. In some of them the man is standing up reaching out a pale hand. In the others he's sitting down. In each depiction I see, the hair seems more and more like chains. They're always twisted around his wrists and thighs. It looks uncomfortable, like he cannot move exactly the way he'd like.

Nine's gaze sometimes gets caught in the depictions of the strange man, and each time he tenses his jaw, like he also feels the sorrow behind the artworks.

I don't ask about the man. None of us do. The narrow hallways that Blomst leads us through is filled with an uncomfortable silence. At times it feels like the murals are watching us.

If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it's taken without permission from the author. Report it.

Once we exit the narrow hallways, she leads us out to yet another gigantic hall. The floor is golden yellow and gives of a shine of the same color. From the walls hangs golden-colored curtains, covering each wall, except the floor above us. In the distance another pair of glass stairs leads to the second floor.

In the middle of the room stands a familiar man that makes my stomach turn. I've seen him once and from the short conversation we had, I could tell he was anything but pleasant.

The blue hair is tied in a low ponytail that hangs down his back. He's dressed in a silver, patterned coat that reaches his calves. When he turns around to face us, I notice that it's open, revealing the light blue shirt of silk that's tucked into the black pants.

He approaches us with confidence – with one hand in the silver-colored coat's pockets – that oozes of arrogance. Had I still been alive I would have thought he looked ridiculous, how he carried that arrogance like it was something to be put on display. Now that I know the power the guardians have and that they could crush me like I'm made of fragile glass, I don't dare to keep that thought too long.

My body becomes stiff when he stops in front of us. Neither Sun nor Nine says a word.

"One too many, I see," First says and smiles; he turns towards me, "and I remember you. From the hall of souls, no? You had just finished your apprenticeship."

I nod.

He turns towards Blomst. "Dear Blomst, I would think you have more wit than to bring a soul wanderer who just completed their apprenticeship here. I am disappointed."

Nine takes a step forward and bows slightly. "I was the one who brought her."

It was Sun that had brought me, she could have left me outside and I don't think Nine would have protested. It was more about what I had done in the library. Sun didn't dare to leave me alone, in case I would get another stupid idea and retry what I had failed to do. If I'm stuck here – deep in the Citadel – I won't be able to leave. What confuses me is why Nine would lie, whether he protects me, Sun or Blomst. He hadn't spoken a single word since we came to the fortress, but once First makes an appearance he doesn't just talk but even lies in front of his own guardian.

First sighs and shakes his head, Sun glances at Nine.

"Orchid won't attend the meeting," Sun adds, "it's her first day in Arkaros and I didn't want her to get lost in the city."

"So, you take her to the Citadel?"

He sounds too amused. It makes my skin crawl.

"Orchid will be staying in the gardens while we speak. Do you honestly think I haven't thought this through already? You know me better than that," Blomst says.

"Much better. You others can go to the meeting room, and I'll show our guest to the gardens."

"I think I can find it myself."

I would be more likely to wander the citadel lost until someone finds me, but I don't like the thought of having to spend time with First alone. I rather walk the gigantic fortress in an eternity.

"I highly doubt that. How would you find the gardens if you cannot even visit Arkaros without someone holding your hand like a human child?"

I'm trying to find an excuse, anything as long as I don't have to be around his presence.

"We don't have time," Nine says, First moves his purple-colored eyes on him. He's not smiling anymore. Nine continues, "make Deer take care of it."

First stare at me for a long time. He sighs and claps his hands twice. A door shows up behind him. It looks shorter than ours, and since Sun mentioned that most doors to Arkaros was closed I have a feeling this one only works within Arkaros.

"Deer will take care of you then," First says.

The door opens and the same skeleton that had given Nine the contract in the dinner hall limps out of the door. On the other side there's no whirling darkness, but a room with a strange mechanic. Deer is still dressed in brown rags, and each move it makes seem unnatural and clumsy.

"Deer," First says without his eyes leaving mine, I have to force myself to not avert my gaze.

"What could I do for you, Guardian First?"

Deer bows clumsily with its hand over its chest.

"Show this girl to the garden," he says and smiles with his teeth. "Hopefully we'll have time to speak later, Orchid."

"Of course," Deer says and bows again.

Blomst gives me an apologetic glance before she turns her attention to First. "Are you done? We don't have much time."

First finally moves his gaze. "Let's proceed then."

I watch First move towards the stairs made of glass. Blomst and Sun follows him, while Nine observes me in a way I cannot understand, for a moment it looks like he wants to say something.

"Nine," First calls out without turning around.

Nine doesn't even hesitate, he quickly turns around and heads towards the others.

"Follow me, Soul wanderer," says Deer in its light, almost screechy voice.

It leads me through a hidden corridor behind the stairs, after a few turns we stop in front of a large painting of a dark forest.

"Through here."

It steps through the painting and disappears in what looked like wet paint, it soon floats back to how it looked like, making it seem solid.

I take a deep breath and step into the painting. On the other side is a long corridor, on its walls is murals of gardens with roses, tulips, or white orchids. I can feel a stinging ache within my heart when I look at the white flowers. When I try to imagine the orchids I gave my father on his funeral, I can remember them but the church itself is hazy – I cannot fully see it.

Bony fingers are carefully placed against my hand, and I notice I've stopped. Deer watches me with its glowing eye sockets. It has no skin, no muscles, yet I can still see how questioning it looks at me.

"The garden is this way, soul wanderer," it says and blinks a few times before it lets go off my hand and continues down the corridor.