The door creaked open as Aria stepped out, Arian floating lazily beside her like a shimmering ghost.
"We can’t keep everyone waiting now, can we?" she said with a smile.
A guard stationed outside gave a small nod. "This way, Lady Aria."
She followed him down the torch-lit hallway, the echoes of their steps soft against the stone floor.
"I don’t like parties," Arian grumbled.
"It’s not a party, it’s a feast," Aria corrected.
"It’s still related," Arian muttered.
"No, they’re different."
They started bickering, whispering back and forth until the guard turned around with a raised eyebrow. "Is there a problem?"
Aria chuckled nervously. "No, nothing at all."
As they kept walking, she sighed. "Please, refrain from talking to me once we’re there."
"Why should I?" Arian puffed. "We’re investigating together."
"Yes, but only I can see you. It’ll look weird if I start talking to thin air."
"How rude. That’s your problem, not mine. Besides, what if something comes up?"
"Stop talking," Aria whispered harshly.
They arrived at a pair of tall golden doors. The guard bowed and stepped aside.
Inside, the banquet hall was glowing with warm light. Chandeliers floated overhead, shimmering like stars. Long tables lined the room, covered in silk cloth and golden trays filled with roasted meat, glazed fruits, fresh bread, and sparkling drinks. Musicians played soft melodies .
Blight approached and extended his hand. Aria placed hers in his, and he gently guided her to the grand table. Pulling a seat for her, he smiled and stepped away to stand behind Lord Xaltheon.
"Join us," Xaltheon said, glancing back. "You can dine with us."
Blight hesitated, then bowed slightly. "Excuse me," he said as he sat beside them.
The feast began. Laughter, the clink of silverware, and the aroma of spice and fire filled the room. Aria, subtly, slipped bits of food down to Arian under the table.
"I don’t need this," he said flatly.
"Oh, stop whining," she whispered and shoved a fruit into his mouth.
Arian chomped down—and bit her hand.
"Ah—!" Aria slammed her hand on the table, trying to hold in a scream.
Xaltheon raised an eyebrow. "Is something the matter?"
She forced a smile. "No, no. Just bit my tongue, I’m fine."
He eyed her for a moment, then returned to his meal.
After a while, the plates were cleared. The guards stepped back, and everyone lifted a glass.
Xaltheon stood and raised his. "To Aria, the hero."
"Cheers!" the room echoed as they drank.
The room grew lively and noisy. Laughter erupted from every corner.
Arian leaned in. "Now’s your chance. Search the rooms."
Aria nodded and quietly slipped away from the crowd. Xaltheon noticed her, but didn’t say anything.
She hurried down the hallway, her breath steady.
"Come on," Arian urged.
"I need to prepare myself," Aria said, hand on her chest. "What if—?"
She slowly opened the door.
Arian shouted, "AHH!"
She flinched, opened her eyes wide.
"It’s empty," he said, floating in casually.
She groaned. "Then why’d you yell?!"
"Because it was empty."
They checked another room—nothing.
"This is taking forever," Aria muttered.
"Just a moment ago you were hesitating, now you’re in a rush," Arian teased.
They opened the next door—and as she turned to close it, Aria froze.
Xaltheon stood right in front of her.
She forced herself to stay calm. He can’t see Arian. Relax.
"What brings you here, Lord Xaltheon?" she asked.
Arian whispered, "What kind of question is that, you fool?"
"You do know you’re in my house, right?" Xaltheon said, unimpressed.
"Right! Sorry... that was dumb."
Suddenly, glowing chains burst from the walls and wrapped around Aria, yanking her backwards. She hit the ground hard and crawled to a wall.
"What is the meaning of this?! What are you doing?!"
"That’s my question for you," Xaltheon replied. "What exactly are you looking for?"
"I don’t know what you’re talking about—"
"Don’t play dumb." His voice was cold.
Aria stayed quiet, thinking, Relax. He can’t see Arian.
"If you think I can’t see the little dragon beside you... you’re wrong," Xaltheon said, his eyes glowing ominously.
Arian gasped, becoming visible in a flash of blue.
Chains wrapped around Arian, pinning him to the ground.
"What did you come here for?" Xaltheon demanded.
Neither of them answered.
His eyes began to glow again. The chains binding Aria shifted, forming a deadly sharp edge.
"But... you just held a feast for me," Aria said.
"Don’t kid yourself," he growled. "I hate betrayal. And that’s what I smell from you."
Aria’s eyes lit up as flames surrounded her.
"I’ll just burn the chains—!"
"Wrong answer," Xaltheon said.
The chain stabbed forward—
"WAIT!" Arian shouted.
Xaltheon halted, eyeing him.
"We’re on a mission. Lord Azreal sent Aria to investigate the Gates—to find traitors."
Xaltheon narrowed his eyes. "I see... So you’re a guard, huh?"
He waved his hand, releasing Arian.
"But if you’re the real Arian... prove it. The Arian I know isn’t this small."
Arian bowed his head. "As you wish, Lord Xaltheon."
Steam hissed from his body, flooding the hall.
When it cleared, Arian stood tall, massive and majestic—his body wrapped in glowing flames.
Aria looked up in awe. "So this is your true form... You could’ve transformed earlier! I could’ve ridden you here!"
"Who said you could speak?" Xaltheon snapped at her.
He examined Arian for a moment, then finally nodded and freed Aria.
Arian returned to his small form and floated beside her. They followed Xaltheon through a chained door that slowly unlocked as he approached. Inside was a massive, dark hall. As Xaltheon entered, flames lit up along the walls, one by one.
The door slammed shut behind them.
"Don’t worry. I’m not going to kill you," Xaltheon said.
She forced a smile. "We weren’t thinking that at all."
He stood behind a tall stone table. Aria walked closer.
"I already figured it out," he began. "You went to the Fifth Gate... uncovered their hidden library... found the warden experimenting with infernals. Then the Fourth Gate—no one was there. Probably because of Selmora’s flower aura. And now... here."
Aria and Arian looked at each other in shock.
"At the feast, I saw Arian. I said nothing. Then I saw you sneaking around... and my doubts were confirmed."
"It’s true," Aria said, lowering her head. "But... I hope you’re not angry."
"Why would I be?" Xaltheon said calmly. "I agree with this investigation."
Aria’s eyes widened. "Really?! Thank you!"
"You’ll still need to contact Lord Azreal about it," Arian added.
"I’ll see to it," Xaltheon said. "For now... let’s shake on our alliance."
Aria stepped forward and shook his hand. "Welcome to the group."
"...What?" Xaltheon blinked.
"Never mind. Welcome," she said, smiling.
Royal Palace – Main Gates
A lone figure in a dark cloak approached the front gate. The guards stepped forward, weapons drawn.
"Identify yourself," one ordered.
"That won’t be necessary," the figure replied calmly. "I need to see your king."
"Not unless you tell us who you are. Move along." ᴛhis chapter is ᴜpdated by 𝘯𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭⟡𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘦⟡𝘯𝘦𝘵
"I didn’t come for violence," the man said. "So don’t make me resort to it."
"And what will you do?"
The guard thrust his spear.
The figure caught it between two fingers.
A blast of energy erupted, sending the guards flying. One of them, barely conscious, reached for his sword—but flames engulfed him. In moments, he turned to ash.
The cloaked man looks at the giant gate and whispered,
"It’s already a sin... that you can’t evolve even after you die. Truly, sin is evolution."