The Silent Halls

Inside the castle, every door led to another, and every hallway to a new one. Hana wandered through empty halls until exhaustion overcame her. She slumped against a damp pillar and began to cry. At that moment, hidden lights flickered on and ghostly shapes passed through ancient gates. She chased them, but their path always stayed just out of reach.

In despair, Hana donned a tattered cloak left by the spirits and boarded an open train that twisted through the underground tunnels. The spirits chatted, exchanged glowing trinkets, and laughed.

At one dark station, ghost-like figures stood in line to offer a small gift to an old woman. In return, she handed each a brass key. When Hana’s turn came and she said she had nothing to give, the old woman’s dark eyes pierced into her:

“Then go—Basement Level One Thousand and Eight. The boiler room is waiting for your work.”