The catacombs were cold
Not a biting cold similar to the winter's, but a deep, still chill that clung to stone and silence alike. Lumestone sconces glowed faintly along the carved walls—dimmer here than in the city above, as if the light struggled to reach this far beneath Ardent.
The guard walked ahead of the trio, stepping down confidently despite the oppressive and gloomy atmosphere, his coattails fluttering slightly behind him with each stride.
"I apologise for that quite abrupt proposal." he finally spoke out, turning his head toward Caelus and Elise for the first time since their descent, "Allow me to introduce myself—I am Sir Aelius Castus, Royal Guard to House Ardent. My duty is to escort you all to House Ardent."
"House Ardent? I wasn't expecting a tour guide." Caelus replied bluntly
Aelius turned his head to face him again.
"I suppose you could see it that way. However, you are to be received as guests—by request of Lady Mirabelle's family."
Caelus and Elise turn to face Mira.
She kept her head hung low. Not a word. Not a glance.
Her silence acted like a haunt to their walk.
The tunnel narrowed as they walked. Ancient statues lined the walls—heroes, monarchs, warriors long turned to dust. Elise ran a hand along a cracked pillar.
"These carvings... and statues... they look old." she uttered
"Older than the nation herself," Aelius replied, "these catacombs were once a burial passageway for the royal line and great heroes of Old Ardent! Few are permitted to witness its glory."
"And we're just strolling through?" Caelus raised a brow
"You are under Lady Mirabelle's protection," the guard answered simply, "that is no small privilege."
Mira shifted, but remained silent.
Caelus opened his mouth to speak—then closed it again. Something about her posture warded him off.
After what felt like an hour, the tunnel widened, sloping upward. The damp scent of the stone gave way to perfumed air and smooth, polished tile floors. They emerged into a grand room of white and gold, with a single, larger banner embroidered with a blazing sun hanging from the ceiling.
They had arrived at House Ardent.
As their eyes adjusted to the light, they saw a woman, dressed in some kind of uniform, sat as if she had been waiting for a long time.
"I see you have returned, Sir Aelius." she spoke calmly
"Melia, could you please let the lord and lady know we are here," the guard replied smoothly, "thank you."
The woman stood up and left the room, in a near-perfect refined manner. In her absence, Elise continued taking in her surroundings, marvelled by her first sights of a noble house.
Not too long later, Melia returned, accompanied by an older woman with silver hair and a broad-shouldered man, about the same age as the woman, with short hair that shifted pigment from the smallest grey at the roots and the remaining length red.
"Mira?" the woman whispered
Upon hearing her voice, Mira froze. Then her composure shattered.
"Mother.... Father...."
The man and woman almost break into a sprint as they move to Mira and hold her in a deep embrace. They held her fiercely, as if she would vanish if they loosen their hold. Elise exchanged a warm look with Caelus—then she noticed how the couple subtly glanced at them, assessing them.
"I believe it is time for a formal greeting!" Aelius calls out, "Friends of Lady Mirabelle, we graciously welcome you to House Ardent, former monarchs of Ardentia!"
"Thank you both for accompanying our daughter!" the woman speaks as she rushes toward Caelus and Elise.
"You do not know how much it means for us to be reunited with her." the man continues with a smile, finally letting Mira out from the embrace, "I suppose we should introduce ourselves. I am Fabian Ardent."
"And I am Ursa Ardent." his wife continued with a curtsy
"We are pleased in making your acquaintance." Caelus replied monotonously, "I am Caelus Aran, former Holy Knight and Celestial Blade of Magnaria, more commonly known as Star Child. This good lady here," he moves his hand toward Elise, "is Elise Ashfield, from Dagenhead Town in Eldralis, now a resident of Willowstead Town in the same nation."
"The honour is ours, good sir! It is not everyday that you're in the presence of a legendary knight such as yourself!" the lord chuckled
"We were just tending to some guests. Let us introduce them to you." Ursa continued
They were led out of the room, through an ornate hallway filled with an assortment of paintings, furniture and more items you would find in a noble's home.
"It's... really fancy here..." Elise uttered
"Don't think too much of it" Caelus quietly replied
They arrive at a beautifully set sitting room, where they see the aforementioned visitors, three well-dressed people, one older woman and two men, one older and the other younger. They had stopped drinking their teas upon the sight of those entering the room.
"This is Lord David Foldam and his family." Fabian speaks, "I apologise for our abrupt leave but we had to see our daughter."
"It is perfectly fine, friend." the man replies, dressed in an intricately made coat, "I understand that your daughter, Mirabelle, had been gone for 4 years, no?"
"She was...." Ursa sheepishly let out, "She was supposed to go train in Magnaria and, well..."
"We didn't see her after the nation fell..." Fabian finished
A solemn silence quickly followed the joyous revelation. A silence that was soon ended by the sound of a hand crashing onto something.
"How could you think of bringing these people into our presence?!" the younger man shouted out, pointing an angry finger toward Caelus and Elise.
"I must ask what the problem with our visitors is, Lord Marius?" Aelius called out
"I know you have heard what they have done!" he sharply replied, "You think I don't recognise that bastard?!"
All the focus in the room shifted to Caelus in that moment.
"What the hell did I do to you?" he raised a brow
"Two years ago, Magnarian knights searched up and down this continent for you, Star Child!!" Marius continues, "I have also heard of what you did in the city earlier today."
"Look, those guards started it."
"Not even just today," the young noble continues his fit of spoken rage, "but all of your previous transgressions as well!"
A charged sense of confusion quickly filled the room.
"What are you talking about?" Mira uttered
"You're sure to know, Mira." he replies as he starts counting on his fingers, "Firstly, fighting with the River Souls of Eldralis—"
"That was a misunderstanding." Caelus muttered
"Provoking a formerly peaceful tribe of vampires—"
"That wasn't my fault..."
"Nearly starting a war with Vindholm—"
"That was one time!"
"And finally, you are a known enemy of the Mäher Family!"
The room froze.
"What the fuck did you say?" Caelus uttered, his expression changing instantly—eyes darkening, jaw clenching, muscles tightening as he took a step toward Marius.
"Stand down." Aelius said, placing a hand on Caelus' shoulder despite the great pressure emanating from him
He didn't move. Didn't breathe. Only stared at the noble with a look never before seen by Elise.
"Did I strike a nerve?" Marius replied smugly
Mira shot forward. "Stop talking!"
"Mira... who are the Mähers?" Elise whispers, tugging on her sleeve
Mira swallowed, lowering her gaze to the floor.
"The Mäher Family... they're assassins," she whispers, "the most feared on this continent... four years ago, they were hired to kill Caelus."
Elise's eyes widen.
"They obviously couldn't get to him by regular means," she hesitated, "so they targeted others close to him... they killed Lily... a maid in service to the king... someone that was very close to Caelus..."
"Tragic, isn't it?" Marius spoke, "But don't you think it was quite reckless of him to gravely injure their strongest son?"
Caelus nearly lunged toward the noble with murderous intent, but was held by Aelius with surprising strength.
"Enough!" Mira snapped, "What exactly do you want?"
"Well, if you wish to have your friend safe in this country, I propose that we have a duel."
"Elaborate." Mira replied, her voice icy
"If I win, Star Child is to be arrested on charges of endangering Ardentian citizens and provoking our military. If you win, your... entourage will be granted some level of diplomatic immunity for their stay."
The room remained silent but hummed with anticipation for an answer.
Mira didn't blink.
"I accept."
"Mira—" Caelus sharply turned to her
"It's fine." she replied, raising a hand
"Very well! Our duel will be at noon tomorrow!"
"Alright then." Mira accepted, a look of determination dressing her face