I gaze up at the grand castle of epic proportions we’re about to enter. It stands tall and proud, adorned with shimmering blue and silver spires that seem to touch the sky. As we approach its entrance, two majestic stone statues carved in the likeness of ancient wizards stand guard, their eyes seemingly watching your every move.
Once inside, we are greeted by a vast foyer with high ceilings. The walls are decorated with intricate tapestries depicting scenes of magical battles. Enchanted chandeliers hang from the ceiling, illuminating the surroundings with a warm, comforting glow.
A grand staircase, adorned with a sumptuous crimson carpet, beckons us towards the upper chambers where the council holds their meetings. However, our journey takes a different turn as we are guided down a guarded set of stairs that lead us deep beneath the castle's surface. The air grows damp and heavy, and the rough-hewn stone walls emit an eerie aura. Torches flicker, casting eerie shadows that dance along the narrow corridors, creating a foreboding atmosphere.
Finally, we reach the ominous entrance to the dungeons of the Starlight Citadel. Heavy metal doors loom before us, their imposing presence reminding us we are captives.
As Warrick is forced into his designated cell, a sinking realization washes over me like an icy wave. The bars encasing him glisten with a metallic sheen—a haunting shade of silver. With a flash of magic, his restraints are lifted, and he lunges towards the bars in a fit of rage, only to be met with the sickening sound of his flesh sizzling upon contact. The pain is too much to bear, and he quickly retreats, releasing his grip with a pained growl. My heart sinks as I'm led to the cell across from him, my hopes dashed instantly. I was hoping we’d at least be placed in the same cell. The cells are small and cramped, with straw-covered floors and cold stone walls. As the door closes and locks, Amos waves his staff and releases me of my magic restraints.
‘Now behave while I’m gone,’ Gretchen tells us, wagging her finger at us, and bursts into a cackling laugh.
‘What do you plan on doing to us?’ Warrick demands from her.
Gretchen smirks, relishing in her newfound power over us. Her reply drips with sinister satisfaction. 'You, my dear Warrick, shall wither away in this desolate cell. As for the she-wolf,' she pauses, savouring the uncertainty that dances in my eyes, 'her fate remains undecided.'
An armoured ursin marches down the stairs and approaches. ‘Caius and Orlan await for you in the council chambers,’ he informs Gretchen, Amos and Thaddeus.
Gretchen nods, and we listen as their footsteps become distant.
I press myself as close as possible to the bars, yearning to touch them, yet mindful of the searing pain that awaits me. 'Warrick,' I call out, our eyes locking in a gaze filled with determination. 'We must find a way to escape,' I say, my voice carrying the weight of our shared desperation.
'I know,' he replies, his eyes scanning the confines of his cell as he feels the walls for signs of weakness. His burnt hands cause him to wince with each movement. I know it won’t heal anytime soon due to being inflicted by silver. I mirror his actions, tracing my fingers along the cold stone walls, searching for any vulnerability, any crack that could offer a glimmer of hope. But the fortress remains steadfast, revealing no secrets or flaws.
Crouching down, Warrick sifts through the straw strewn across the floor of his cell. I prepare to follow suit when, to my surprise, the pixeleon emerges from my pocket and perches itself upon my shoulder. I extend my hand for him to jump onto and sit back, forcing a smile at him. I scratch behind his ear, and the dragon emits a soft purr.
Warrick's anger reverberates through the air as he lets out a ferocious roar, his frustration driving him to deliver a powerful punch to the unyielding stone walls. He knows all too well the futility of his efforts, and defeat settles heavily upon him as he slumps back against the unforgiving surface, his spirit broken.
His voice carries a tinge of remorse as he speaks, his eyes downcast with the weight of his perceived failure. 'I'm sorry, Rose. I've failed you,' he murmurs, his words heavy with self-blame.
I refuse to let despair cloud our chances of escape. Determination shines in my eyes as I reach out to him, assuring him of our hope. 'No, Warrick. This isn't your fault. We still have a chance. Xander, Orelious, Janie, and Imogen will come for us,' I assure him.
Doubt lingers in his eyes as he responds, his voice tinged with resignation. 'You don't know that,' he retorts, a hint of despair colouring his words.
A smile curves upon my lips as I shake my head in response. 'Yes, I do know. Janie wouldn't return to our world without me, and she knows I wouldn't return without her either,' I reassure him.
Curiosity sparks within him as he probes further. 'You and Janie must be close?' he asks.
I nod, my expression softening with fond memories. 'We've been inseparable since we were young children. Our homes are just across the road from each other, and our mothers became fast friends. We shared countless playdates, attended the same schools, and now even the same academy. Janie is more than a best friend to me—she's a sister, a cherished member of my family,' I explain, the depth of our bond resonating within every word. ‘She will come for us. We just have to be patient and wait,’ I tell him.
Warrick sighs. ‘It will take them at least a couple of days to travel here,’ he says.
‘We may be in different cells, Warrick, but we’re still here together. We can get through a couple of days in these stingy cells,’ I smile at him.
‘Gretchen and the Mystic Council will be expecting them and will prepare for their arrival, just as they did with me that day. They could very well end up in the cells beside us,’ he says.
I shake my head at Warrick. ‘Xander is the strongest Warlock in all of Felderia, and Orelious clearly isn’t afraid to fight, and did you see Gretchen’s face when Janie fought back? She was scared of Janie, which means Janie could be just as powerful as Gretchen. There’s no other reason why Gretchen would have fled.’
‘That’s a good point. Janie was able to help unbind me and was able to cast the wraith spell. So, she could possibly well be stronger than Gretchen after all,’ he says with a hint of hope.
The pixeleon leaps off my hand, running between the bars and into Warrick’s cell. Warrick holds him and strokes the pixeleon belly. He emits plumes of smoke.
‘You haven’t named him,’ Warrick says, his eyes moving from the little dragon to me.
‘I haven’t even thought about it, but I suppose since we’re stuck here for a little while. We could think of some now,’ I reply. ‘Any suggestions?’ I ask him.
Warrick shrugs.
I think for a moment with my index finger on my chin, ‘What about Pixel?’ I smile.
‘I like it,’ he replies.