Elven children were playing and laughing. Lush foliage covered every square inch of the interior of the walls.
Outside looked like death. The inside looked like life.
The architecture was unlike anything within the Capital. Buildings seemed to be based on designs not from Keceo or Earth. Almost alien in their design with round and bulbous shapes.
Elves chatted amongst themselves, but got quiet whenever they saw the party being led by Whisperer Soulseverance through the brick-laid streets.
"What's going on here?" Gwyn asked.
"Oh, these are our citizens," Whisperer Soulseverance said. "They are under our King's protection, safe from the vileness that is the elven people."
Despite Soulseverance's comment. Gwyn noticed that through his curly silver hair, he had pointed ears, just like the elves.
Although Di 'Vinci was constantly fighting the King of Terror, he'd never actually seen inside his settlement before.
This was unlike anything the tiger had expected. Despite the near-constant attacks from each side, it was assumed that the King of Terrors' kingdom was drab and full of slaves, but there wasn't a single miserable face present.
"I was excited to see this place, because I heard it was the representation of death, but I've got to say. I'm disappointed," Myria said, looking at the colorful and lively interior.
"They are under his spell," Elise said angrily.
"No spell here, Bloody Princess. Unlike the one you put Gwyn under."
Soulsevereance smirked, continuing onward, his step swaggering.
Elise gritted her teeth, thinking of her mother outside. Thinking about how much she wanted to kill this vile freak before her. Artero placed a hand on her shoulder to offer consolation, but it was quickly brushed off.
They made their way past the surprisingly normal settlement up to the giant spinning cube. The path they were on ended with no clear way to proceed.
Soulseverance stepped forward, and a path of black flames manifested beneath his feet. The party cautiously followed him. They approached the cube, closer and closer. A door manifested, remaining stationary as the cube twisted in circles.
Once inside, guards in death raven feathered armor readied their catalysts. But Whisperer Soulserverance raised a hand, and they eased.
They were greeted by a wall once they were all within the cube.
"Is this some kind of joke?" Di 'Vinci growled.
"Just... precautionary."
Soulseverance waved his hand, and the environment shifted before them. Dozens of rooms were briefly present. Despite all the movement going on around them, the inside was stable, and the motion of the cube was imperceptible.
Room after room was revealed until the spinning stopped at a great hall, which was the destination. The King of Terror sat upon his throne.
His throne was made of hundreds of different weapons. They jutted out like sharks' teeth. Skulls were placed on the ends of some of the weapons on the throne.
"Welcome to the last bastion of sense and reason."
His deep, ethereal voice tugged at everyone's ears. The King of Terror stepped from his throne and gave a deep bow to everyone.
"Shut up and give us what we came here for," Gwyn shouted.
The King of Terror lifted their head, and their white, beady eyes pierced everyone who was standing there. It seemed to absorb all the light around them in the dimly lit great hall. He stood out like a weak flame in shadow.
"That is no way to treat a host, Gwynevere."
He made no sudden movements and showed no sign of violence.
"Can you make it brighter in here?" Teddy asked.
"Teddy!" Artero yelled.
"What? I can't see shit in here. What, you want to just talk in the dark like a bunch of weirdos?"
Myria shrugged.
"I like the dark."
"Short one, you are cowering behind me," Di 'Vinci noted.
"No!" Teddy said, peaking from behind his legs, seeing the King of Terror in the flesh, then standing behind him again.
"Ah, yes. I can make it brighter for you." The King of Terror pulled out a sword from seemingly nowhere that was twice his size, swept it across, a gust of hot wind blew across the great hall, and a hundred torches lit aflame, making it as bright as daylight inside. "Does this satisfy you?"
"Yes, it's now so comfortable in here."
Gwyn stared him in the eyes. Although a tinge of fear gnawed away at her, she ignored it. This was the only way to get back home and save her father. The party continued down the hall until they were just below the steps of the throne. The King of Terror sat with his arms crossed, and Whisperer Soulseverance stood right beside him.
"Finally come to learn about the wishes, Gwynevere?"
"What do you know about my father? Why is he in danger?"
"In due time, Chosen One."
"No!" Gwyn shouted. "You've tried to lure me here. I am here, and I want to know what you know about my Dad."
Gwyn's words carried venom. The tone in which the twenty-fifth spoke was unfamiliar to everyone in this great hall.
This surprised the King of Terror; he assumed she would only want to know about the wishes.
"Ah. I see." He paused. "Well. First things first, Chosen One."
He stretched out his hand and pulled a dagger from nowhere. He had a firm grasp on the blade, flipped it around, took a step forward, and pointed the hilt towards Gwyn.
Di 'Vinci unsheathed his sword.
"Don't get any closer!"
The King of Terror just scoffed.
"Careful, Cat. Or I will declaw you." The weapon he held towards Gwyn was curved like a slithering snake, and its edges glowed with an oily rainbow color. "Take this."
Gwyn looked him in the eyes, showing no weakness.
"I'm not taking anything from you."
Looking at the beady white, it felt as though she were standing in a blizzard; her heart rate quickened the longer she stared.
"Just do it, it isn't cursed, I promise."
He edged it a little closer to her. Gwyn looked at Artero and Elise.
Elise shook her head. Artero nodded.
"Fine." She grabbed the blade. The hilt felt smooth and soft in her hands. "What now?"
The King of Terror lifted his neck, revealing skin as black as his armor. "Cut me here."
He pointed a finger towards his jugular.
"W-what?"
Gwyn nearly stumbled backwards. Artero and Elise caught her, but they had never been so terrified in their lives. The King of Terror emanated an aura of pure malice. Being in the same room as him felt like you were drowning, but you could still breathe air.
"Slice my throat, Gwynevere." His deep, ethereal voice bellowed. "Do it. It won't void the contract."
He stepped closer.
Di 'Vinci couldn't muster the strength to raise his sword.
With a shaky hand, Gwyn raised the serpent-like blade to his throat. She still hadn't killed anyone, and was the King of Terror really going to let her get a strike on him? She hesitantly stepped closer and waved the dagger a moment, feeling its weight.
She stared at the skin; she saw the vein.
Was this really an opportunity? This isn't a trap?
Her hands trembled. She raised the blade. Gwyn then remembered the Meeting of the Chosen, how everyone watched her fail so spectacularly. She wouldn't fail now.
With a quick motion, the blade met his throat. Blood poured from the wound.
The King of Terror made a gurgled gasp and fell to his knees. He reached for his throat.
"You weren't supposed to…"
He choked on his words. He coughed, and blood spewed from the front of his helmet.
Whisperer Soulseverance drew an item from his raven-feathered robe and cursed.
"What have you done?!"