NightTime Roads

And one more chapter come and gone. Only 4 left with an Epilogue... And then... yeah it's done. Thanks for reading this... no really, thanks a bunch.

Chapter 21


Entering the grand hall, the four who stood ready to face anything could only look in wonder. The ceiling, well over 50 feet high, seemed to streach onwards for miles where they were standing, as if whoever had craved the design wanted to make it seem like it could go on forever, challenging the limit of the sky and the power of a god. Several wooden doors lead way to what could only possibly be a network of interlinking hallways and rooms that served who knows what kind of purpose. In front of them was a marble door, that had gold patterns as if it was sewn in, complete with jewels of aquamarine and garnet every now and again. This had to be the entrence to the throne room, where the king would normally preside. Next to the door were staircases that lead to a catwalk where even more doors and staircases resided. It would be amazing for anyone visiting to travel this place without getting lost.

Several windows streamed light into the room, none of them with any of the glass designs that Ayisa and Antros had seen in Gaia Kingdom. The floor itself was made with marble and shined as if just recently cleaned. In front of every door, except the one that lead to the throne, there was a lush, velvety carpet probably continuing past each door and lining the hallways. In front of the door to the throne was a carpet of what seemed to be fur. Yet it was so soft and light to touch, even as they walked over it, that it felt like there was no floor underneath it, only this that threatened to lose them in it. Indeed, Evia loved the feel of this so much, that she felt if she could only lay down on it, she would be asleep instantly, letting the feeling of the fur brush softly against her skin, as though she would slip right into it and become surrounded.

However, despite the many 'distractions' in the room, Rekia remained sharp and alert. For one, there were no guards in this room, not even to guard the throne room. Rekia found it to be quite odd why they would leave the inside of the castle seemingly unprotected. Rekia also took notice of the fact that there were several weapons in the room, each of them on the walls as if to add to the design. Even if they were only for looks, Rekia noticed that they still had a sharpness to them, as if someone was constantly making sure they would be in top fighting condition. Rekia too had things like this back in his training room, but the weapons used there were blunt and worthless if anyone tried to take them to use against him. These weapons looked battle ready, and slightly unnerved him.

Perhaps it was because of this, or the urgency in which they were in, that Rekia hurried the group along. Ever since he spoke to the guards, Rekia lead the way, to which no one protested, not even Antros. As they entered the throne room, it's size alone seemed to defy the grand dreams of any man or woman who walked these halls. 50 feet by 50 feet, most of the room was nothing more then empty space, but it seems no expense was wasted here. The throne, made from redwood, had been encrusted with diamonds and sapphires, and was on an upraised portion like a prop on a stage. The fur continued to lead directly to this throne, the rest of the floor a shining marble, though it seemed not from cleaning but rather that it came from the floor itself. It's mystic glow reminded Evia of something, yet she couldn't place what.

The windows here also did not have any designs over them, yet the streached from near the floor to almost the ceiling. No curtains could hide the light from this room, making it probably the brightest room in the entire castle. Near the back of the room, were more doors each with a different design, and though they couldn't make out exactly what it was from the distance they were, a symbol over each door. A circular staircase near the doors led to what Rekia thought to be a tower. When Ayisa made to close the door behind them, she could see the exact smae pattern as the other side they had come through, with jewels also in the exact same places, though they were of emerald and topaz instead of aquamarine and garnet.

As they walked foward, the room was completely devoid of any life, save for these four. It only unnerved Rekia more, that guards were not even here in the throne room, despite the king being gone. Did they really not worry over the possible valuables that could be stolen here? No, it has to be more then that, Rekia thought to himself. But why would they purposely do this... it's like walking into a trap. Rekia had no more time to ponder this, as a lone person walked out from the far right door.

He was a man that looked to have gone past his prime. His hair was black, but with grey strands that made him seem older then he truely was. His body wasn't musclar, but it wasn't out of shape either. Slight wrinkles could be seen on his face under his priecing grey eyes. He held a cane in his hand, but walking over ot them, erect and business-like, they realized the cane was mostly for show then use. He wore a dark blue seemless robe that covered his entire body, down to his legs. He wore snug red boots, and gloves with a gold design pattern on them. Around his neck were small gold trinkets, probably lucky charms he wore.

"Welcome guests, to Doisa. I see you are all in good health. I am the minister, and general adviser of our king. My name is Kilas."

"As you know, I am Rekia. I came here with some urgent news." Rekia nodded his head, as if trying to find the words to describe what he must do. "I am afraid your king is dead..."

Kilas breathed slowly and turned away from them. He gave a shudder, as if to silently express his grief. "I see... do you... know who has done this?"

Antros spoke up. "It was... my brother. His name is Idora." Antros bowed in respect to him. "I am sorry, for what evil my family has caused."

Kilas turned his gaze back to them, but Evia noticed something different about it. It was as if he wa snot looking ta them, but through them, seeing something beyond. "I see... Idora. Well, you must have done a sloppy job of it, for them to have suspected you so quickly."

Everyone seemed shocked at this, and why he spoke it, but the answer soon became clear. The door behind them closed loudly, causing them to turn. Standing there was Idora, sword in hand as he walked slowly to them. "Sorry, but my brother got wise to my plans. Still, I can't blieve how easy it was to get them here."

Kilas smiled, one that made him look srewd and cunning. "Yes, well to think my plan worked so well... naturally..."

"What do you mean!?" Ayisa suddenly shouted. "Are you saying you were planning to kill him this whole time? How could you do that?"

"Silly girl, if only you knew. That man was a hero to the people, the perfect puppet so we could pull the strings and control this kingdom. But being king had gotten to his head, and we needed a way to rid him from us. That's where Idora came in."

Idora laughed again, the same cold cruel laugh he made when he was about to kill. "Yes. You see, I wasn't that much interested in the idea of doing thier work for them. But when I heard my dear brother would be there... I thought it the perfect way to plan and extract my revenge."

"Killing two birds with one stone, right brother?" Antros said, drawing his sword out. "Well, the game's over. When I finish beating you, your coming back to Gaia Kingdom and paying for your crimes. Rekia, Evia, protect Ayisa! I will handle this myself."

"You won't Antros. I will help you. Consider it an apology for chasing you down all this way," Rekia said, readying his spear.

Kilas spoke once more. "Idora, kill them all. None but you and me can leave this room knowing the secret of Doisa Kingdom."