Auren stood frozen before the golden words that slowly faded into the air.
The letters floated for a moment, shimmering faintly before vanishing, leaving behind a silence so sharp it felt alive.
She stared blankly at the space where the writing had appeared, her heart beating slow but heavy.
Was that the Guidebook?
Or something else?
The thought lingered in her mind like a fine thorn she couldn't pull out.
But after a while, Auren shook her head softly.
"No... even if it's not the Guidebook, I can't just stay here."
Her voice was barely a whisper, but her resolve within was firm.
Maybe the Guidebook was with Noxen.
Maybe he forgot to return it after saving her.
Clinging to that fragile hope, Auren decided to find him.
---
Her footsteps echoed through the vast, silent halls of the castle.
The same stone walls, the same stale air, and the same unending quiet.
She had wandered through countless rooms, climbed and descended staircases until she lost count.
By her estimation, the castle had at least five floors — maybe more.
Yet every time she thought she had explored it all, another hidden stairway appeared, or a secret passage, or a door where there had been none before.
As if the castle itself were alive — and playing with her.
By chance, Auren found a narrow staircase hidden behind a dusty curtain.
It descended steeply, dark and cold.
She peered down for a moment — but saw nothing except shadow.
---
After what felt like half a day, her steps finally stopped in a vast chamber.
The ceiling arched high above, lined with colossal pillars on either side.
The space looked like the castle's main hall — grand, wide, but empty.
Faint light filtered through a high window, piercing the thin mist that hung in the air.
Auren sank slowly to the stone floor, leaning against one of the pillars.
Her body was tired, her thoughts tangled.
Maybe... she should rest for a while.
But the calm didn't last long.
A soft voice called to her from the entrance.
"So, you're here…"
Auren turned sharply.
A man stood in the doorway — taller than Noxen, with golden hair and eyes of the same color, glowing faintly like candlelight.
His skin was pale, and his clothing resembled that of a noble — a long cloak, gold ornaments around his neck, and black gloves that contrasted with his calm face.
He smiled.
A gentle smile — almost soothing.
"There's no need to be afraid," he said softly, his tone smooth and calm like small waves brushing the shore.
"I mean you no harm."
Auren said nothing, her eyes fixed on him with quiet suspicion.
She rose slowly, taking a cautious step back, never breaking eye contact.
There was something strange about him — his calmness felt... too perfect.
"Who are you?" Auren finally asked, her voice hoarse from disuse.
Instead of answering, the man asked a question of his own.
"Do you need help?"
His voice was so soft that the air itself seemed to grow peaceful — deceptively so.
Auren watched him in silence.
She didn't know if she could trust him.
But curiosity urged her to keep speaking.
"What do you want?"
The man smiled again, even gentler this time.
"I only want to help you... sincerely."
Auren fell silent for a long while.
His words sounded too easy, too sweet, for a place as strange as this.
Yet something in his tone made her wonder — perhaps this man was the only one who knew where Noxen was.
"You know where Noxen is?" she finally asked.
The man paused, then nodded slowly.
"Of course. I know where he is."
Auren straightened, cautious yet hopeful.
"Take me to him."
Without another word, the man turned, his footsteps light and graceful.
"Follow me, Auren."
His gentle tone was like a song — soothing, yet it made her skin crawl.
Auren hesitated, but in the end, followed from behind — keeping her distance, watching every movement he made.
---
They walked for a long time, descending through corridor after corridor that grew darker and damper.
Until finally, the man stopped before a wall covered in dust.
Auren frowned at it.
"Are you sure this is the place?" she asked wearily.
The man kept smiling.
"Noxen is just ahead."
"That's... just a wall," Auren replied softly but firmly.
Without another word, the man lifted his hand and touched the surface of the stone.
In an instant, the wall began to tremble — shifting like swirling mist — and slowly, a door appeared, as if born from the shadows themselves.
Auren stared in awe.
The door was real.
"Go on," the man said gently.
"He's waiting for you inside."
Auren hesitated, but curiosity overcame her fear.
She stepped through carefully.
The room beyond was dark, lit only by a few dying candles.
A spiral stone staircase descended into the depths, shrouded in thin mist.
"I have to go down there?" Auren asked without turning.
"Yes," the man replied behind her.
"Down there, you'll find Noxen."
Auren stared down into the darkness.
Her first step felt unbearably heavy.
But she kept going — one step at a time — holding her breath each time the candlelight flickered from unseen wind.
When she reached the bottom, she found a long corridor lined with candles on the walls, lighting a path that seemed endless.
"Is this... the right place?" she asked again, her voice trembling slightly.
"It is," the man answered calmly, just as before.
But only a few steps later, a cold gust swept across her face, making the candles flicker wildly.
Auren turned quickly.
"Did you feel that?!"
No answer.
The corridor behind her was empty.
The man had vanished.
No footsteps, no sound — as if he had been swallowed by the earth itself.
Auren froze, her breath quickening.
"What... is happening here?"
Suddenly, faint voices began to echo through the hall.
Soft, distant — yet growing clearer with each passing second.
Whispers.
"…It's your fault…"
Crying.
"…why are you here…"
Pleading.
"…help me…"
Auren covered her ears, stumbling backward in panic.
But the voices didn't fade — they drew closer, surrounding her from every direction.
Then, her body went light — as if she'd lost all balance.
She staggered backward… and bumped into something.
Not a wall.
Not air.
Someone.
Trembling, Auren turned slowly.
The dim candlelight revealed the shadow of a tall figure behind her.
But its face — was completely swallowed by darkness.