We successfully found one of the Handmaidens the shopkeeper had mentioned, a relatively tall and pretty girl with red hair and freckles, dusting away at one of the cold, black marble walls. She tensed a bit upon seeing us approach, her gaze lingering with unease on Sasrir's shadow-cloaked presence.
My own expression, one of pure and innocent intent, seemed to calm her down, acting as a necessary counterbalance to my companion's inherent menace.
"I was told you could help," I began, my voice soft to avoid echoing in the gloomy, high-ceilinged hall. "We'd like to return this." I gestured to the Hunter jacket with its spiral insignia. She eyed the garment with clear recognition, her freckles standing out against her suddenly pale skin. She nodded slowly, her previous task forgotten.
She agreed to take it off my hands, her movements efficient as she folded the jacket over her arm. "And your name?" she asked, her voice barely more than a whisper. "Adam," I replied, offering a small, reassuring smile.
She didn't return it, her expression remaining solemn and professional in the castle's pervasive gloom. She then asked if we were staying in the castle, her eyes flicking between us. We confirmed we were, and she gave a single, sharp nod.
"Good. Then you'll be easy to find if there are... questions," she stated, her tone making it clear that questions were inevitable. "Please stay here while I bring someone."
With that, she turned and walked away, her footsteps silent on the polished stone, the jacket seeming to absorb what little light remained in the corridor. Sasrir and I were left alone in the chilling quiet, the transaction feeling less like a resolution and more like the first step into a deeper web.
"We never got her name," Sasrir muttered, his voice a low rumble in the vast hall. I turned to him with a grin, speaking in a teasing tone to cut the tension. "What, afraid you didn't make a good impression?"
He just deadpanned at me before turning silent, his shadowed form blending into the dark marble of the wall. We waited together for the girl to return, the oppressive stillness of the castle pressing in on us.
While Sasrir was as still as a statue, I found myself restlessly tapping my foot after only ninety seconds. I was never good at waiting, which was strange given my Pathway's affinity for patience and observation.
"If I was Ouroboros instead, I could probably just stand here until the sun dies out," I mused aloud, causing Sasrir to look back at me. "What are you even talking about?" he asked, his voice flat.
"Just hear me out: that guy is even more of a statue than Saint. He's a typical horror movie villain, the slow shambling type that approaches menacingly but never actually does anything." I shook my head in mock disappointment. "I mean, how many times did Klein fool that guy? Killing Mr. Z in Backlund, escaping him in Calderon City, not to mention Will evading him for over a thousand years... bro was a fraud through and through!"
"The Fate Pathway isn't very good for taking the initiative. You have to let things come your way naturally," Sasrir countered, ever the pragmatist. "Or it's just a Pathway for frauds," I rolled my eyes, enjoying the pointless debate to distract from our situation. Before Sasrir could argue back, we heard footsteps approaching from the end of the hall.
The Handmaiden from before had returned, bringing with her two Guards and a Hunter - none of whom I recognized. Cannon fodder or extras then, nothing to be afraid of. They moved with the confident swagger of those who thought their affiliation alone made them intimidating. The black marble seemed to drink the sound of their footsteps, making their approach eerily quiet.
"You the ones who brought the jacket?" One of the Guards stepped forward and raised an eyebrow, looking over me with disdain but tightening his gaze upon seeing Sasrir. Clearly, he was the more imposing of our duo. His eyes narrowed as he took in Sasrir's shadow-cloaked form, while the other two fanned out slightly in a practiced manoeuvre.
"That would be correct, Sir," I answered calmly, my face betraying no sign of tension. And there really was none - I could kill these guys before they could even register they were dead.
After taking down two Shard Lords and having three Soul Cores, the only one I needed to fear in this castle was the Bright Lord himself. The Hunter among them kept his hand near his weapon, but made no move to draw it yet.
The lead Guard studied us for a long moment, his eyes calculating. "Gemma will want to speak with you himself," he finally said, his voice losing some of its initial bravado. "You'll come with us. Now."
It wasn't a request. I exchanged a brief glance with Sasrir, seeing my own thoughts reflected in his hidden expression. This was exactly what we wanted - and exactly what could get us killed if we handled it wrong.
"Of course," I said, keeping my tone neutral and cooperative. "We're happy to clear up any misunderstanding." The Guard snorted at that, but turned to lead the way. The Handmaiden had already melted away into the shadows, her part in this drama complete.
As we fell into step behind them, I could feel Sasrir's awareness expanding, mapping exits and potential threats in the labyrinthine corridors.