The Black Meeting slowly emptied as nobles and rulers disappeared into the endless corridors of Noctharis Castle. Rain still beat against the stained-glass windows, and the blue flames along the walls burned low, casting eerie shadows across the stone.
A servant carrying a lantern approached the Devil Horns and bowed.
"Honored guests, I will show you to your chambers."
Junyu folded his arms.
"How many rooms are there?"
The servant hesitated.
"There is only one chamber assigned to the Dogs of the Black Meeting. It is… a large bunk room."
Ton groaned dramatically.
"So we get the prison treatment."
Junyu didn't react.
The word dog no longer made him angry.
It only reminded him of the promise he had made to himself on that stage.
The servant turned and began leading them through a narrow corridor lined with black stone pillars.
Suddenly Salim stopped.
His third eye flickered violently.
"Junyu," he whispered, "look up there."
A figure was sprinting along the upper balcony.
In his hand glowed a faint blue light.
Junyu narrowed his eyes.
"That's the same glow from earlier."
The figure vanished around a corner.
"I think we should follow him."
They were about to climb the staircase when the masked host stepped out of the shadows.
"Leaving already, Sir Junyu?"
Junyu pointed upward.
"A man just ran upstairs carrying something glowing blue."
The host tilted his head.
"Are you certain?"
Junyu's voice hardened.
"I'm dead serious."
For a brief moment, the host's mask seemed to lose its smile.
He snapped his fingers.
"You. Investigate the upper floor immediately."
A guard bowed and hurried up the stairs.
The host turned back to Junyu.
"Please return to your chamber. We will handle it."
Junyu hesitated, then nodded.
"Fine."
The Devil Horns followed the servant deeper into the castle.
THE CHAMBER
The door creaked open.
The room was enormous, filled with rows of iron bunk beds stacked three levels high. A single blue lantern hung from the ceiling, swaying gently in the cold air. The stone walls made the room feel less like a guest chamber and more like a military bunker.
Ton looked around.
"Yep. Definitely prison."
Katsa dropped her bag onto a lower bunk.
"At least it's clean."
The moment Salim stepped inside, he froze.
His third eye suddenly pulsed with violent light.
"AHH!"
He collapsed to one knee, clutching his forehead.
"HELP ME! MAKE ME BLEED—NOW!"
Panic exploded through the room.
Michael instantly drew Regicide. The purple blade flashed in the lantern light as he cut a shallow wound across Salim's arm.
Blood dripped onto the stone floor.
The glowing eye dimmed.
Salim gasped for air.
Silence.
Everyone stared at him.
His hands trembled.
"That… has never happened before."
Inside his mind, the Eye of Mahakaal whispered.
I did not try to take control. Your blood opened for a moment, and through that opening I saw a path.
Salim clenched his jaw.
"You're lying. You tried to take me over."
The voice faded into darkness.
Junyu knelt beside him.
"Can you stand?"
Salim nodded weakly.
Junyu's eyes sharpened.
"You still want to check the upper floors?"
Salim slowly rose.
"Yeah. I'm coming."
Junyu looked at the others.
"Anyone else?"
Katsa stretched her shoulders.
"I'm staying here. I need a bath after this nightmare."
Ton immediately pointed at her.
"I'm staying with her."
Mil snorted.
"Yeah, weirdo."
Then he rested a hand on his sword.
"I'll keep watch over both of them."
Michael sheathed Regicide.
"Ikiro and I are going for a walk."
Ikiro nodded.
"Too much tension in this room."
Junyu stood.
"So it's just us."
Salim wiped the blood from his arm.
"Let's move."
THE UPPER CORRIDOR
The castle was almost silent now.
Only the distant roar of the sea could be heard beyond the walls.
Junyu and Salim walked through a narrow passage lit by blue fire. Their footsteps echoed through the stone.
As they reached the staircase, a door opened nearby.
A servant emerged carrying a tray from Aurex Valdren's chamber.
At that same instant, a cloaked man rushed past the opposite corridor.
Something heavy was tucked beneath his arm.
A black chest.
The servant turned toward him.
"Hey! Stop!"
The man's eyes flashed with a cold blue light.
The servant's scream never came.
Her eyes went white.
She collapsed onto the floor.
The tray shattered.
Silver dishes scattered across the stone.