CHAPTER 12:

The sun’s golden rays streamed through the open window, casting a warm glow over the pristine, milky white carpet below. A gentle breeze ruffled the curtains, sending them fluttering against the walls. Above, wisps of golden clouds danced across the azure sky, their ethereal forms reflecting the morning light. Down in the courtyard below, the clang of metal echoed against the stone walls, stirring flocks of pigeons into flight.

Toran lunged forward with practiced precision, his sword gleaming in the sunlight as it clashed against Grey’s. Beads of sweat glistened on Toran’s brow, tracing a path down his cheek as he deftly dodged Grey’s counterattack. Stepping back from the spar, Toran chuckled. “Impressive moves, kid.” He wiped his brow, his expression serious as he continued, “I have the details of our next mission. We’re to lead a caravan into the Twilight Forest, delivering a letter from King Availion to the Twilight King.”

Grey furrowed his brow. “Sounds risky.” He settled onto the grass, concern etched on his features.

Toran nodded solemnly. “It is. But duty calls.” He stretched his muscles, his gaze drifting towards the distant castle. “Between us, there’s talk among the soldiers of a monster lurking in the forest. Adds another layer of danger to the mission.”

Grey looked at the ground, unsure of how to answer. The sun shimmered high above, it’s rays gently kissing his skin. A soft wind sped across the valley, sending ripples throughout the green grass. Fluffy white clouds slowly floated across the blue canvas of the sky, casting slow moving shadows on the ground. Out in the distance, over the outer walls of the Crimson Keep, Grey could see into the fields stretching endlessly over the horizon. The spikes of wheat bent with the breeze, hiding the horde of workers tending the fields. Intricate water spigots spanned over the tops of the crops, sputtering drops of water across the field. Grey turned around, looking at the dusty walls of the Crimson Keep.

Grey admired the panoramic vista of the city, its gleaming lights twinkling beneath the towering, fortress-like structure of the castle. Despite the enchanting view, the castle itself was a formidable mass of weathered stone, bearing the scars of time with its worn exterior and yawning gaps in the walls. Surrounding the castle, the grounds lay desolate, save for meticulously tended patches of grass. However, within the castle's walls, a stark contrast emerged; elegant marble adorned the corridors, while rich ruby-red rugs adorned the floors, a testament to the stark duality of opulence and neglect.

As Toran draped a towel over his shoulders, his brow glistened with sweat, a testament to his exertion. "Alright, kid. I've got to head off. Good work today. Don't forget about tonight," he remarked before departing towards the castle, his sword swaying at his side.

Grey returned the smile, offering a wave as Toran departed. "Of course, I'll be there!" he called out, though a pang of uncertainty gnawed at him. Gazing at his calloused hands, a reflection of his toil, he whispered to himself, "If only you could see me now." Imagining his grandfather's gentle countenance, Grey found solace. With a stretch, he set off towards the castle, a solitary tear tracing his cheek.

Along the dirt path, Grey's steps echoed, punctuated by the occasional greeting from passing soldiers. Approaching the castle's imposing gates, he marveled at the intricate bridges connecting the city's tiers, marvels of engineering that facilitated movement between levels. As he neared, soldiers bustled about, loading the elevator with crates and carts. Joining the fray, Grey inquired about the commotion, learning of an impending expedition. "Captain Toran's orders," one soldier explained, prompting Grey to nod in understanding. "Ah, I see," he replied, his lips pressed in contemplation. "Do you know where you'll be headed?"

The soldier frowned, shaking his head. "Not just yet, young master," he replied, gesturing toward the array of supplies. "But I reckon with all this, it's likely a journey to the capital. You wouldn't happen to know anything about it, would ya?"

Grey chuckled awkwardly, shaking his head. "No, not at all—" He stumbled over his words, recalling Toran's instructions. "It's probably just a supply run to the border," he quickly added. The soldier nodded in understanding. "Well, alright then." Grey waved, making his way into the Crimson Keep. The massive wooden doors creaked open, emitting a faint squeal as they parted. The entrance to the keep remained as pristine as ever, adorned with a lush red carpet that spanned the floor and intricate tapestries adorning the white-washed walls. Sighing, Grey ventured inside, where a flurry of servants bustled about, darting from one task to the next. Chuckling to himself, he navigated through the commotion, eventually reaching the kitchen.

Inside, the scene was chaotic, with chefs and bakers bustling around the ovens and grills, flames dancing in the air. Grey inhaled deeply, savoring the aroma of spices mingling in the air and the sight of succulent roasted turkey awaiting consumption. His gaze fell upon a stray cookie, but before he could reach for it, Mary grabbed his shoulder, spinning him around. Caught off guard, Grey blushed furiously, only for Mary's stern expression to dissolve into laughter. "Oh dear, you should've seen your face!"

Grey wiped his nose, still flustered. "Haha, very funny," he muttered, reaching for the fallen cookie, only to have it snatched away by a passing chef. Disappointed, he turned to Mary. "I'm hungry, what can I say?"

Mary chuckled, twirling around him. "Then wait for breakfast," she teased, snagging a roll from a nearby tray. "Or join us." She flashed a mischievous grin, crumbs spilling from her mouth as she curtsied away. Groaning in frustration, Grey's stomach grumbled in agreement. Making his way through the bustling kitchen, he entered the dining hall, where maids and servants were busy preparing for breakfast. Eyeing the decadent spread before him, Grey took a seat at one of the tables, unfolding his napkin.

Before he could settle in, Verion rushed in, his signature red blazer trailing behind him. Despite his dignified stride, exhaustion was evident in his tight expression and heavy eyelids. He rubbed his face wearily. "Mary," he began, extending his hand as if in search of assistance.

Mary hurried over, placing an embroidered handkerchief in his hand. Dabbing his eyes, he let out a yawn. "Wow, quite exquisite. Wouldn’t you agree, nephew?"

Grey eyed his uncle suspiciously. "Indeed," he replied, suppressing a laugh. "I wonder what the occasion is."

Verion took his seat beside him, winking as he sat down. "You'd think I had a woman coming over."

"Or an old man with a crown," Grey quipped, taking a sip of water from an ornate crystal glass.

"Perhaps," Verion mused, glancing around the room. With a mischievous smile, he leaned in closer. "Care to have a bit of fun?"

Grey nodded eagerly, a smile spreading across his face. Verion snapped his fingers, causing a cloud of red dust to spew out from his hand, scattering across the room in a circular pattern. Suddenly, the dust began to vibrate chaotically, emitting sparks of red magic. Then, it shifted rapidly between green, blue, yellow, and red. "Uh oh."

Grey's eyes widened in horror as the dining room door slowly creaked open. "Wait, don't—" Before he could finish, Alice waltzed in, her delicate hair intricately woven and a baby blue silk dress adorning her figure. As she swung the door open, it collided with the magic dust, causing it to explode into a cloud of colors.

Coughing and bewildered, Alice stumbled forward. "Hello? What just happened?" she asked, trying to make sense of her surroundings.

"Haha!" Grey laughed, pounding his fist on the table. "That's awesome, Uncle Verion." Meanwhile, one of the servants caught in the blast coughed, emitting red dust.

"What?" Alice stood, attempting to brush the colorful dust off her dress. "What just happened?"

Verion cleared his throat, careful not to inhale any of the dust. "One of my spells went a little haywire," he explained, earning a glare from Alice.

"Hey, careful there, princess. Some dust might get in there," Grey teased, doubled over with laughter. Covered in colorful glitter, he struggled to regain his composure. "Hey," he managed between laughs, reaching out to Alice, "Don't worry. You still look beautiful."

Alice froze, taken aback by his compliment. "Oh, th—"

Grey interrupted her, continuing his sentence. "Those colors really suit you," he chuckled, slamming the table once more. This time, Verion joined him, unable to contain his amusement.

Pursing her lips, Alice sighed. "You two are so childish. Y'all are so chaotic! Nothing can ever just be easy! Now I have to change again." With that, she haughtily left the rainbow room, hurrying back to her chambers.

Mary, now sparkling green, flicked Grey upside the back of the head. "You two are not helping that girl. She needs some semblance of a normal life, especially right now."

Verion smiled, his red blazer still looking pristine. "What's life if not a little chaotic?"