Inside the Starcastle

Though the soft light of the now-golden lake spilled from the entrance behind us, it did not reach far into the Starcastle. The way forward was pitch black. Our footsteps echoed as we proceeded, with Ulrich’s hooves being the sharpest, the loudest.

I wished they could be quieter. Not that I felt we were in danger. But we were walking into Iliana’s home. Making any noise felt sacrilegious. Keeping an eye on the Straters’ retreating backs, I led my party further in. The smell of must was strong, though not unpleasant.

How long had it been since anyone had tread this holy ground? I wished I had the foresight to bring one of the lightstones with us to get a closer look at the castle’s interior. Sure, I could turn back to get one, but it would ruin the moment. I would have to make do with blindly walking forward.

No sooner had I thought this than the room was filled with soft yellow light. We found ourselves suddenly in a corridor, the same silver as the exterior. The light came from intricate sconces lined along silver walls even more lustrous than the exterior of the castle, if that was possible.

Nova was the first to speak, as usual. She walked up and placed a hand on one of the walls. “Jest as I thought. It’s completely dry.” Eyes narrowing, Nova leaned closer and scratched at the metal with a dirty fingernail.

“Be careful,” said I, prompted by a gasp from Rudi. “We must not desecrate the Mother’s home.”

Nova ignored me, scowling. She rubbed her fingers together. “No, Elaris. It’s jest plain silver, though.”

Just silver? The average person would thrill at the prospect of an entire building made of pure silver. Dietrich was appropriately in awe.

“Now, this is a treasure! Just imagine what we could buy with all this! I’m thinking matching outfits—with capes, and shoes.”

I scowled at him. It was a testament to how off Nova’s priorities were that I considered Dietrich to represent the average person. At this point, I was sure my sense of the average had been radically skewed.

Moog tore a reluctant Nova from her examination. “There's a better chance to find Elaris further in. C’mon.”

Now that it was well-lit, the Starcastle’s atmosphere had changed. It was far warmer and inviting. Yet Lina was tense. She hugged herself as she walked beside me, eyes darting about.

“What’s wrong?” I asked.

“I don’t like this place. There’s something off about it.”

I wanted to doubt her. After all, this was holy ground. But on a second look, I noticed that the Starcastle was oddly empty. One would expect a place like this to have decorations, such as paintings, furniture, and even a vase of long-dried flowers. But there was nothing except empty argent walls that stretched endlessly ahead.

On we walked. And walked. And walked. Yet the corridor continued. After what felt like minutes, I looked behind me to check our progress and was shocked to find that the exit was still only a few yards away from the entrance.

My grip on Rudi tightened. “What in the name of Iliana? We haven’t moved.”

Lina, Ulrich, and Dietrich turned back, startled. The horse snorted and tossed his head. “That ain’t possible.”

“I knew I didn’t like this place!” whimpered Lina.

Dietrich beamed. “Ooh, cool! This has got to be some kind of booby trap to protect the treasure from potential robbers!”

“Robbers like you?” said Ulrich with a swish of his tail.

Dietrich rubbed his neck sheepishly. “Harsh, horse dude. Harsh but fair. But that’s what made you a good sheriff.”

Rolling my eyes. “It’s more like a barrier.”

“Right,” Dietrich said. He was more disappointed than he should be.

I looked back at the Strater siblings. “What do you two make of this?” No one answered because the corridor behind me was empty. I turned fully and searched. “Where are Moog and Nova?”

Again, the others were startled. Lina was shaking her head. Even Dietrich was starting to worry. “I-I was just kidding about the whole matching outfits thing,” he said, his voice echoing through the castle walls. “Was it the capes? Was that too much? Okay, maybe just the shoes. And they don’t have to match, either.”

“Dietrich,” I said sharply, “Take this in the kindest possible way: Shut up.”

He did, which let me focus on the laughter in my head.

“You guys are a riot! This is funnier than when Gerry did this,” said Rudi.

So, you know what’s going on?

“Of course I do. This is my house, too.”

Then tell us. What happened to Moog and Nova?

“Nothing. They just passed the test.”

“Test? What test?” I said aloud. The others regarded me with concern.

They all echoed my question, though I heard Dietrich add, “I guess he’s talking to himself again,” which I chose to ignore.

Rudi sighed. “This happens to everyone their first time. The Starcastle is reading your heart before it lets you in. If it lets you in.”

“Then is the castle alive? Because it’s made of Elaris?”

“Nah.” In my mind’s eye, Rudi shrugged. “It doesn’t think for itself, if that’s what you mean. But Mother wanted it to know what’s in people’s hearts, so it does.”

I scowled at the sword. “Why didn’t you warn us this would happen?”

“Because I didn’t want to.”

I could not argue with that, even if it was obnoxious.

Rudi cackled again. “Would you look at that? It likes you!”

I blinked and looked around. We were no longer in the corridor but a spacious entrance hall. The ceiling was far above our heads. To the left and right were the entrances to many other corridors leading even deeper into the castle.

Flabbergasted, I searched for the entrance we had come through and found it immediately. The light of Red Lake shone through the corridor, which was only a few feet long.

“There you are!” came Nova’s voice from behind. I turned and saw a grand staircase set in the far wall, but which extended to the center of the hall. Above the initial set, upon a landing, a second set of stairs narrowed, then spiraled upward into the ceiling—and, of course, all was silver.

My eyes quickly found Nova and Moog, who were waving at us from the foot of the first staircase. Nova beckoned.

“Where’d y’all end up disappearing to?” she asked when we joined her and her brother. Before any of us could answer, she continued. “Anyhow, take a look at what we found.”

Dietrich was the last to reach them. “Is it Elaris?” He asked excitedly.

It wasn’t. It was much odder. On the stairs lay a shimmering cloth. If it weren't wrinkled, it would have blended in perfectly with the metallic steps.

Nova poked at her chin. “Strange, ain’t it?”

“Yes, it is strange,” I said, my eyebrows furrowing. I knelt and touched the cloth. It was made of fine material. My fingers glided across its smooth surface. What was most odd, however, was that it was damp. “This has been set to dry, and recently.”

I glanced up at Nova curiously. But my attention shifted to Lina, whose face had drained of all blood. She quivered and took a step back.

“No… it can’t be… but how? Why here?!”

“What are you talking about? What is this?”

Before she could answer, a new set of footsteps echoed suddenly. They were quiet at first, but they grew louder. No matter where I looked, I could not find the source until I saw a pair of white leather boots appear at the top of the second staircase.

“I say, who goes there?” A man’s voice. It was light, pleasant, but commanding. Slowly, the man descended the stairs, revealing the rest of his eloquent garb. Above the knee-high white boots were a pair of gray trousers. Above that, a red leather jerkin over a powder blue tunic. In the center of his chest, a gold medallion glittered on a delicate chain.

However, before I had a chance to see the man’s face, Lina ducked behind me, trying to look as small as possible. “Don’t let him see me… Please…” she whispered gravely. She clung to my tunic; I felt her fingers trembling through the cloth.

Him? I looked up just in time to see the man fully appear. I knew him immediately, even without the symbol of the falcon engraved on the medallion. With his long, red hair, sharp beak-like nose, and a smile that contrasted his dark red eyes, he was unmistakable.

Walking down the stairs with the confidence of a thousand princes was the highest of us all: Bastian Falker, High Prince of Ald Alira.

Bastian stopped a moment, his eyes widening in surprise. “Gracious me! It’s a whole gaggle!” He quickened his descent with such grace that it almost appeared as if he glided. The last of his apparel revealed itself as he descended: a greatsword strapped to his back, the grip of which rose behind his head.

My hand tightened once more on Rudi. The man was standing at the top of our staircase before I could register that he had stopped. He looked down at us, hand on hip, eyes scrutinizing behind his smile. When they fell upon Moog and Nova, they shimmered with recognition. When he spoke, his voice was still bright.

“Ah, Prince Taurus! Princess Alaya! How delightful it is to see you again, my friends. Have you been well?”

Nova was quick. She curtsied, despite lacking a skirt, and said with uncharacteristic formality, “Very well, Highest.”

“Excellent!” said Bastian. He took the first step toward us. “And how goes your hunt for the fabled Starcastle? Well, I hope?”

We stood in stunned silence. I had to blink several times before a single thought was able to form in my head.

Nova swallowed and managed a creaky answer. “You could say that.”

Bastian beamed. “Delightful! You’ll have to tell me everything once you’ve finally reached it.”

Was he…was he being serious? He couldn’t be. He couldn’t not know where he was. But his face bore no trace of irony. “What a wonderful coincidence to run into you during my morning walk.” His sharp eyebrows furrowed. “But—and this is rather embarrassing, you see—I seem to have gotten myself a tad lost.” Even his nervous laugh exuded confidence.

Ulrich snorted. “A ‘tad?’”

I wanted to hit him for speaking out of turn. Was Ulrich aware of this man’s status? More likely, he did not care.

Bastian regarded the horse briefly, but turned his attention back to the siblings. “Yes, well, before I knew it, I was out wandering your lovely country and came upon this lake and—” He paused and his brow furrowed in ponderment. “I say, how did you lot manage to enter this place?”

I blinked. “How did you enter? Highest.” I added hastily, sheathing Rudi.

His head tilted in confusion. “Why, I swam,” he said as if it were the most obvious answer, which I suppose it was ten minutes ago.

“Swam?!” Nova yelped. “Ain’t no way! But Moog—I mean, Prince Taurus—hasn’t even—” She fell silent, which Bastian filled.

“I assure you, I did,” he said. “I was wandering in hopes of finding refuge and came upon this beautiful lake. My feet compelled me forward, and—well, I followed them down. You know how it is,” At our expressions, his smile became knowing. “Or perhaps not. You see, my head may not know where it is going, but my feet certainly do. They always take me to where I need to go! Eventually.”

He laughed again and continued before any of us could respond to his insane story. “Yes, well, I’m quite glad I ran into you. For I must admit, I was starting to get impatient, waiting for my request.” His smile did not reach his eyes as he descended a few more steps. “So? Any news?” His voice was sweet and quiet, deadly like poisoned honey.

“Uh…Y’see…” Moog was sweating; he glanced at his sister, who was equally as flustered, then at me, and then, to my horror, he glanced behind me. No, you fool!

Bastian was utterly confident; there was no other way to put it. His princely aura was oppressive. With his bravado alone, the High Prince had effortlessly taken control of the conversation and thrown off even Nova. I was starting to understand why Lina was so afraid of him.

He was not someone with whom to be trifled. As such, we had to be careful, or at least find a way to clear the air. If not, I would do everything in my power to protect her.

However, as I discreetly reached behind me to assure Lina, my hand only met air. She was no longer clinging to me. When I risked a glance behind, I saw no Lina. She was gone.

Not again!

Oblivious to my silent panic, Bastian smacked his forehead. “Ah, but where are my manners? I have yet to introduce myself to your friends here properly. Silly me.” With that, he bowed. “I am Sebastian Kasimir Alaric Falkner, High Prince of Ald Alira.” He looked up and smiled, “But please, I insist you call me Bastian.”

I swallowed my nerves and bowed, which Bastain waved off. “Please, there’s no need to be so formal with me, young man. I’m not one for ceremonies if I can help it.”

As much as I hated it, his warm words gave me the courage to speak. “Your reputation precedes you, High Prince. I am Anno Wolfskreuz, third prince of Cross.”

More than a part of me could not help but crave a bevy of fancy names to throw back at him, but alas, I was saddled with just the two. So, I concluded with, “And these are my companions, Dietrich and Ulrich.”

At that, Bastian’s eyes narrowed. He tapped his chin thoughtfully, though his smile remained. “A third prince of Cross? I don’t think we’ve had the pleasure of meeting face to face. And yet I know your name…Why do I know your name?” His eyes were sharper than ever.

“You perhaps know my brothers, Claude and Fredrick?”

“Yes, I’m quite familiar with the first and second princes,” answered Bastian, “But I know the name Anno specifically. I’ve heard it somewhere. And recently.” He contemplated a moment longer before shaking his head. “Alas, I can’t recall. Perhaps I dreamed it.”

I opened my mouth to answer but found my windpipe constricted as, out of the corner of my eye, I saw Lina sneaking toward the rightmost halls—nowhere near the exit, of course.

I did not know when she had snuck away, but in my periphery, Lina stopped, looking from one hall to the other, at a loss for where to go. How hopeless can you get?!

Mouth suddenly dry, I dared not look directly at her for fear of prompting the High Prince to follow my gaze. It did not matter, however, as Bastian chose that moment to look in her direction. And when he laid eyes on Lina, they widened, his jaw slack. Completely forgetting about us, the High Prince walked to the banister, staring down at the indecisive woman below in awe.

“L…Li… LIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIINAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!”

Without warning, but with the glee of a jubilant child, Bastian dove over the banister, flying off the stairs toward Lina, who stiffened at her name. No one had time to react, as we could only watch the soaring Bastian reach out his hands to grab her; no one except Lina.

She whirled around and, before the High Prince could wrap his arms around her, punched him in the face with enough force to send the man careening into the ground.

He bounced. Then, by his face, Bastian slid past her, coming to a stop several feet away.

Lina was steaming behind closed eyes. Her fist shook with rage. “Stupid Bastian…” she muttered.

The High Prince’s legs hung in the air and flopped to the ground. He lay sprawled. For a moment, I feared Lina had killed the man, but his head popped up and looked back at Lina. He was smiling as if nothing had happened, despite a bloody nose and swollen cheek. “What a perfectly wonderful punch that was! Truly unparalleled! You should be so proud of yourself, Lina!”

Bastian sprang to his feet and tried to close the gap between him and Lina, but she turned her back on him, arms folded. “Shut up! You’re so annoying.” He staggered as if Lina had struck him again, devastated despite his smile.

Bastian clutched at his face and cried, “Oh, no! Lina’s mad at me!” He began to squirm as if he had the consistency of a slime.

I had no words, only gurgles in the back of my throat. Of all the things I expected to happen when finally meeting the High Prince of Ald Alira, this was beyond reality. I was having another out-of-body experience. This could not be real.

Where was the dignified High Prince, the Falcon with Silver Wings? This man before me, pining for Lina to look at him as she stuck her nose in the air and puffed stubborn cheeks, was supposed to be the closest thing to a Sainted Seven alive today? And yet he was melting like jelly in the sun in her presence? First Moog, now this. Was there even such a thing as a normal prince?!

And on top of everything, his overly familiar attitude with her was irksome. I could not help but cough loudly, which made Lina and Bastian freeze, suddenly aware that their strange back-and-forth had witnesses.

Bastian stood straight and wiped his bleeding nose clean with a thumb before putting his hands behind his back. “Yes, well. Thanks to you, my dear Lina is safe.”

My ire spiked. His Lina?! Her words from that night in the wagon echoed in my head: “You don’t just remind me of all the things that annoy me about that idiot, Anno. You also remind me of all the things I love about him.”

Was this who she was referring to? She couldn’t be in love with this man, though I could agree that he was an idiot. The thought brought with it a boiling nausea.

When I next spoke, I managed to suppress it, though my voice was stiff. “Forgive me for being so bold, High Prince, but what is your connection with Lina?” I wanted to ask what their relationship was, but part of me did not want to know the answer.

Bastian started at my question, though he directed his surprise at Lina. “Did you not tell them who you are?”

No,” said Lina coldly. “They didn’t need to know.”

At her words, Bastian melted again. “You’re so right!” he exclaimed. “Such a clever Lina you are!” His eyes suddenly lit up, stopping to scan each of us. “I say, Sir Horse,” They settled on Ulrich. “You can speak!”

The sheriff flashed his teeth, “Sure can.”

Lina smacked her forehead. “You just noticed, didn’t you?”

“I did,” Bastian shrugged, nonplussed. “But can you blame me? You’ve been traveling with a rather odd sort. It’s quite a lot to take in.”

Thank you! I wanted to cry with relief and wring his hand as much as I wanted to give him a good smack.

Bastian continued, “I mean, a third prince falls far below your usual standards, wouldn’t you say? Quite odd.”

My lungs deflated with a wheeze. I was the odd one? What about the talking horse? Or the giant grey man?

As if he had read my thoughts, Bastian’s piercing eyes shifted to Dietrich. In an instant, his entire demeanor changed. His face hardened with resolve. An aura, as silver as the Starcastle, surrounded him.

With lightning speed, the High Prince reached for his sword with both hands. He pulled the handle in such a way that it split in half and twin blades appeared behind his back, like a pair of spreading wings.

Before I could cry out in warning, Bastian struck, unleashing the blade with deadly swiftness. Lina and Nova gasped. I began to unsheathe Rudi, but it was too late. Dietrich staggered, clutching at his chest.

Only, there was no wound. Bastian’s blades had not even touched him. He held them horizontally, millimeters away from Dietrich.

Behind him, however, came a creaking groan. Dietrich turned to reveal a waterlogged Deborn falling to the ground in three pieces. I recognized him as the one Dietrich had punched into the lake. So, he had survived and followed us into the castle? Well, not anymore, thanks to the High Prince.

The Deborn crumpled into muddy ash before it landed.

“I thought there was one presence too many,” said a casual Bastian, combining the twin greatswords into one and sheathing them behind his back. “Blighter must have been following me for some time.”

We stood in stunned silence as Bastian laughed. When he stopped, he poked at his chin again. “Curious, though, I could have sworn there were more of them on my tail.”

That explained why the Deborn had been at the lake in the first place. How long had Bastian been down here?

Dietrich continued to pat his chest. “Freaky. I felt your attack go through me.”

Bastian regarded him warmly. “Of course! I would never bring harm to one of my dear Lina’s friends. So, my attack did not cut you.”

His eyes narrowed, his smile icy. He moved behind Lina and placed his hands on her shoulders. “But, of course, had I even suspected you as an enemy, none of you would be standing here. Make no mistake.” His grip was firm, protective. At his touch, Lina stiffened, but said nothing. “Now, where was I?”

The fire was gone from her eyes. No, it was more than that. Lina’s eyes were filled with sadness.

The sight of her lit a princely fire in me. “You never did answer my question, High Pr—erm, Bastian.”

Bastian fixed me with his scrutinizing gaze. “About my relationship with dear Lina, you mean?”

I jumped. “That was not my question.”

“But it’s what you meant,” he said. “It’s not good for one to be dishonest, young man. Especially when it comes to matters of the heart.” He leaned closer and whispered in her ear. “What do you think, Lina? Should we tell them?”

She looked defeatedly at the ground. “Do whatever you want.”

Bastian squeezed her shoulders, “Come now, dear Lina, don’t be like that. These are your friends. They’ve been protecting you in my stead all this time. They deserve to know something about you.”

My heart began to race, torn between disgust at seeing Bastian holding Lina in such a way and ravenous hunger at finally receiving what I’d been craving for so long.

Bastian waited a few seconds more before he sighed. “Very well, I suppose it falls to me, then.” He smiled at all of us. “May I have the pleasure of introducing you to Lina Bross, Daughter of Iliana, and my most precious…attendant.”

“Attendant?” I deflated as I processed his words. Lina Bross? That was it? That was her name?! But it couldn’t be, not after all the secrecy, her hidden power. Lina couldn’t just be a mere attendant, not even to the High Prince. Not with the way he was looking at her.

And the sheer pain on Lina’s face at the last word was evidence enough. “Yes, that’s me. Lina Bross, personal attendant to the High Prince. Nice to properly meet you.”

Only Dietrich looked as surprised as I was. “Really? You’re his personal attendant, Lina?”

She nodded. “Sorry for keeping it a secret for so long.”

I looked at the siblings. Nova nodded as well, confirming what I feared. “Whenever we visited Ald Alira, she was always by his side.”

“Indeed,” Bastian added, “She’s a most reliable…attendant. I’d be lost without her. Honestly, I was lost with her. She has a terrible sense of direction as well—an unforeseen and unfortunate coincidence—but my Lina always ensured I kept my head on straight.”

After another surge of jealousy, I looked between her and Bastian. “Then the duty you ran away from…?”

“Was as my…attendant,” said Bastian. “When she was kidnapped by that scoundrel who called himself ‘Hero,’ the hole she left behind was—”

“For your information,” interrupted Lina, pulling herself from Bastian’s grip, “My darling did not kidnap me!”

Her words made Bastian stagger. Well, one word in particular. “D-darling…?” he wheezed. For the first time, his smile faded. His eyes were wide with—was it jealousy? No, it was indignation. Bastian’s eyebrows lowered. “How can you call that barbarous boy your darling?”

As much as I hated to admit it, I could not agree with him more. No one with common sense would still call the worm their darling. In fact, I would prefer if she would call someone else her darling.

Lina whirled around, staring up at Bastian with indignation. “Barbarous?! You take that back! My darling is—”

I stopped listening. Not because I wasn’t invested in their argument, I was, but because the two’s expressions struck me. They were the same. Not just the same emotions; the crease between their eyebrows, the way their lips tightened, were precisely the same. I hadn’t noticed it until Bastian scowled, but now, it was unmistakable.

“Who are you two?”

Both turned back at me with the same red eyes, the same confusion. The same red hair shifted slightly as they tilted their heads.

“Whatever do you mean?” said Bastian, glancing several times at Lina. She refused to meet them. “I’m Bastian, and this is my dear…attendant, Lina Bross.”

My ears pricked, having finally detected the hesitation in Bastian’s voice whenever he called Lina his attendant. And there was also his strange emphasis on the word. It was almost as if Bastian had to think about it.

And then, my mind finally put it all together.

With them side by side, I couldn't believe I hadn't put it together sooner. Their resemblance was uncanny. And there was more beyond the physical: the poor sense of direction, the airheadedness, and the sudden mood shifts. It all made sense.

These two were not lovers as I feared since that night in the wagon—at least, I hoped they weren’t, as that would make their true relationship far more disturbing. These two were related by blood.

It was so obvious now: Lina was a secret Falkner.

I was going to voice this revelation, but the two of them were looking at me with such intensity that I thought better. “Oh, I know. It’s just that you two don’t seem to get along very well. I can’t picture you as his attendant, following Bastian’s orders.”

This time, Lina met Bastain’s glance in a silent conversation. When their eyes returned to me, Lina was wearing her fake smile. “I am perfectly capable of doing what this idio—I mean, what my High Prince says.”

Bastian nodded enthusiastically, his own smile back on his face, “Yes, yes, Lina is most obedient. A wonderful…attendant!”

It’s so obvious you were going to call her something else! Unlike Lina, Bastain was a terrible liar, but I did not want to show my hand yet. I raised an eyebrow. “Oh? If it was so wonderful as you say, why did you run away?”

Lina and Bastian’s mouths formed a pair of twin Os. I had caught them in their lie, not that it was difficult to do so. The High Prince straightened, the mental mechanism behind his eyes working overtime. At last, he smiled. “It is curious, I was wondering about that myself. Why don’t you explain it, my dear…attendant?”

“Uh…” Lina swallowed, looking everywhere else but at me.

I glanced at the others, dumbfounded. They, too, had to have figured out the truth of these two’s relationship. Ulrich looked as bemused as I was, so I could safely check him off the list, but Dietrich was too focused on his chest and the destroyed Deborn to deduce anything. His glances were solely focused on Bastian, no doubt sizing him up.

Moog and Nova were no longer among the group; they had drifted away from us and were examining the walls and floors of the Starcastle, for which I did not blame them. Bastain’s unexpected presence had driven the Starcastle from my mind. I had forgotten that we were in a place no one had been for decades. And those who came before us had been the Sacred Seven.

The same must have crossed Lina’s mind, for she found her smile and said, “This place is so amazing! It’s not every day we get to see the Starcastle. I wonder what secrets it holds!”

Bastian shook his head knowingly, tsking and wagging a finger at her. “Lina, Lina, Lina. How cheeky of you to try and change the subje—Did you say the Starcastle?” Bastian’s eyes popped with shock.

A hint of mischief appeared at the corner of Lina’s smile, before vanishing behind mock enthusiasm. “Yes! That’s what we’ve been searching for all this time. And you beat the prince and princess to it.” Her face fell, “All that work. Months of hunting and information gathering, only to have their efforts—no, their dreams—trampled by the High Prince.” She pressed her hands over her eyes before leaning forward. Her shoulders shook, but not with grief. Lina was not making much effort to hide her smile from me.

Bastian noticed none of it. He staggered back with pure devastation on his face. “I… trampled on their… dreams?” He looked over at the Straters, who were not paying attention in the slightest. Nova had her back to him as she squatted, scraping at the metallic floor with a finger.

Lina nodded. “So much wasted time…”

I had to admit, she was diabolical. Lina had Bastain wrapped around her finger. He watched Nova, who, to Bastian, must have looked quite pathetic.

In an instant, he closed the gap between them and bowed deeply before her. “Forgive me…” he said, clutching at his chest. “I did not mean to crush your dreams, my dear friends.”

Still squatting, Nova looked back at him. “Heh?” At the sight of the High Prince bowing at her, Nova leapt up in surprise. Moog looked mortified.

Nova backed away, hands raised in front of her chest. “Velvet Crystal! Don’t go startling me like that. I don’t think my heart could take it. What’s all this about dream crushing?”

“I am a fool,” said Bastian, voice full of remorse. “I thoughtlessly went and discovered this holy place when you spent so long trying to find it. And for that, I deeply apologize. If there is anything I can do to correct my error, name it.”

“Oh, no, Highest…” I had never seen Nova look so uncomfortable. “You didn’t—” She cut herself off when her eyes found Lina. Now that Bastain’s back was turned from her, Lina had dropped her grieving act completely. She was shaking her head at Nova, staring at her pointedly and pressing her hands together in a silent plea.

Understanding alighted in Nova’s face. She bowed back. “I must admit, Highest, it has been hard.” Moog looked down at his sister in confusion, but said nothing.

She continued, “Y’see, my brother and I have been searching tirelessly fer the Starcastle, and the Elaris within. So far, we’ve been out of luck. If you could find it in your heart to tell us if you have found any in your time here, our emotional wounds can begin to heal.”

Lina’s manipulation alone was fiendish, but Lina and Nova together? Now that was pure evil.

Bastain stood, eyebrow raised, “Really? That’s all you want?”

Nova clasped her hands together. “It’s what I want most in the world, highest!”

Bastain put his hands on his hips, looking put out. “Oh, dear… Now, this is most unfortunate.”

Nova’s eyebrows knitted. “Unfortunate?”

“Yes, I’m afraid I cannot fulfill your request, humble as it is.”

Her face tightened. “What…do you mean you can’t? Highest,” she added.

Bastian placed a hand on his forehead, more devastated than ever before. “I mean, all the Elaris is gone. The castle has been stripped.”

I could see the weight of Bastian’s words slowly crush the princess, starting with her shoulders. They slumped deeper than Moog’s had ever gone.

“It was years and years ago, I’m afraid,” said Bastian, “When I was but a boy. My Uncle Alexander led the effort for Ald Alira to strip every trace of Elaris from this place.”

“WHAT?!”

Rudi’s cry exploded in my eardrums. It was so sudden that I jumped, the sword falling from my fingers as I pressed my palms to my ear. All looked at me in surprise.

“How could you do that?” I asked on her behalf. “This is Iliana’s home.”

“How could Lexie betray us! And Cecil! And—”

“It was not I,” said Bastian, unknowingly cutting Rudi off. “I had never stepped foot in this place before now. And while I agree with you, my father had different ideas. He thought it best to keep Elaris out of the hands of any potential thieves.”

“Jest like with the Telestones,” said Nova through gritted teeth. Her face was contorted with rage. “Alten spent decades mining those, jest to have Ald Alira come and snatch ‘em up.”

“Now, that I can understand,” said Bastian, “Telestones are far too dangerous for the common man to have. The amount of crimes that could be committed with little consequence would be astronomical.” Bastian gave her a confident smile. “Anyone with a modicum of magical potential could abuse such a power. With Elaris, however, only the most skilled of smiths can draw out its true potential. I say it was best to leave such sacred matters alone. But my father knows best.”

Nova gave him a doubtful scowl, which gave Bastian pause.

“How about this, then?” said Bastian with a clap of his hands. “As far as I’m concerned, Ald Alira is finished with their business here. You have the run of the place, and if there is any Elaris that remains, it is yours.”

Bastian gave her no time to answer before he turned away. “Now that my debt is repaid, there is something quite interesting I want to show you all. I only just found it before you arrived. Come see.”

With that, he began to walk away, toward the Starcastle’s exit, leaving us in confusion.

I felt the need to interject, but Lina beat me to it. She grabbed Bastian’s hand. “It can’t be that way! That obviously leads out!”

Bastian looked ecstatic. “Lina! You grabbed my hand all on your own! That makes me so happy!”

A vein I had never seen before appeared on Lina’s forehead. Her cheeks reddened. “S-shut up! I just wanted to make sure you didn’t wander off like an idiot. It’s this way.”

Lina began to pull Bastian toward the left side of the entrance hall.

I could tell already where this was going to go, so I reached out and grabbed Lina’s hand. The two stopped and looked back at me, surprised. Ignoring the sudden warmth in my chest at the feeling of her soft skin, I shook my head.

“I believe it is that way.” I pointed with my other hand to the second set of stairs from where Bastian first appeared. Seriously, how long had Bastian been in the Starcastle?

Bastian smiled at me, “Ah! Yes, of course. What a reliable young man you are!”

I refrained from rolling my eyes. Was having a normal sense of direction enough to be considered reliable?

His bravado renewed, Bastian marched toward the stairs with Lina in tow. I bent, picked Rudi up, and fastened her to my belt before I followed. I could not help but be curious.

“Are you coming?” I asked the others.

“You know it, Boss!” said Dietrich. But the other three shook their heads.

“We might come up,” said Nova, but not until we’ve scoured this place for Elaris.”

That made sense, so I looked at Ulrich. “And you?”

The horse snorted. “Me ‘n stairs don’t exactly mix. ‘Specially the ones that curve.”

“Too right,” I said, then to Dietrich, “Let’s go.”

We followed the other two up the stairs, or, rather, we quickly took the lead. At the top of the first set, I saw that Bastian and Lina were trying to enter one of the four doors on this level.

For the love of Iliana, these two were hopeless! “It’s a straight line,” I said, “Just up there, it’s not that hard.”

Perhaps it was a bad idea to treat the High Prince like he was a child, but Bastian took it in stride. “Ah! Yes, of course, young man! Up the stairs.”

Lina looked embarrassed on Bastain’s behalf, but that felt a bit rich, seeing as she was no better. The two managed to find their way to the spiral staircase without further guidance and made quick work of it.

I gave our friends on the ground floor one last look before Dietrich and I climbed the stairs. They were narrow—almost too narrow for Dietrich, but he managed it by angling his large frame.

Lina and Bastian were near the top of the stairs. I did not like the idea of letting them out of my sight, but they were far enough ahead that I felt comfortable sending a whisper back to Dietrich.

“So, what do you make of him? Bastian, I mean.”

“He’s a weird one, that’s for sure. Strong, but weird. Though Lady Lina gets along with him, so he’s cool in my books.”

I cast him a bemused expression before I continued to ascend the stairs. I wouldn’t exactly describe their relationship as ‘getting along.’ They certainly were on a similar wavelength, but that was not the same as friendship. In fact, their similarities seemed to annoy Lina more than anything.

Such was the nature of family sometimes. Not that I would know. The bigger question was how they were family. Bastian looked no older than thirty. Nowhere near old enough to have fathered her. Perhaps cousins? He had mentioned their Uncle Alexander, another of the Sainted Seven. But he had died along with the other six twenty-five years ago.

Lina was younger than I, not by much, but still, she was born well after Alexander Falkner had fallen. There was a chance that Falkner was also secretly alive, like Gerhard Schultz, which would make the most sense, and why it was a secret. A terribly kept secret, yet a secret nonetheless.

A scream from above shook me from my reverie. Lina! I knew I should not have left them alone! Bastian was untrustworthy after all. Together, Dietrich and I raced the rest of the way, reaching the top within seconds.

I was tempted to grab Rudi. Though I did not know if, one, I could defeat the Falcon with Silver Wings, and, two, if Rudi would even be willing to rescue the woman she called the Fake.

But as I looked at the scene before me, I found there was no need. Lina was perfectly safe. We were standing in a circular room with no sign of a ceiling, most likely the base of the centermost tower. Another set of stairs lined the walls, which spiraled up into the darkness.

Lina was squirming and rubbing her arms in disgust. At what, I could not see, for Bastian’s broad back blocked whatever she had seen from my view. He stood in front of an altar, that much I could see. To my surprise, it was not silver like the rest of the Starcastle; it was white marble.

Bastian turned his head to look back at us. “Ah, good timing, you lot. Come, take a look. What do you make of this?” As we tentatively approached, Bastian stepped aside.

I froze with a gasp. Now, I understood why Lina had screamed. Sitting in front of the altar, bare feet crossed over each other, was the shriveled, lifeless body of a man. He was not leaning against the altar, but sitting upright, his skin dark, his hair white and knotted in long tendrils that hung around his dehydrated body; even his beard was knotted. Various gold studs adorned his face, and gold jewelry hung from his ears and hair.

With his style of dress and skin color, I recognized where this man was from. “An Edellion? Down here in Alten… how odd.”

“He’s not just any Endellion, young man,” said Bastian somberly, “Look behind him.”

I had been too focused on the corpse before me to notice the thing sitting atop the altar behind him. It was an axe. The weapon, dull grey in color, rested perfectly on its side, despite its thin blade.

At the sight, I felt Rudi gasp, and the sword itself began to vibrate with shock. “Arier…” She whispered. “What are you doing here? Answer me, you lazy lout!”

“Arier?” I’d heard that name before. Rudi had said it yesterday when bragging about the White Wing Canyon.

Bastian gave me a sidelong glance. “How surprising. You even know his name. Then you must realize who the owner of this axe is? Yes?”

I looked at the corpse again, heart racing. “I do. Because Arier’s not just any axe, it’s the Exalted Axe.” Here before me sat the body of Sigmund Thumel, member of the Sainted Seven.

Lina was muttering, “So gross, so gross, so gross,” under her breath, without stopping. Despite similar feelings, I squatted in front of the man to get a better look at his face. His eyes were closed, and though his face was little more than a black skull, his expression seemed tranquil.

This man was supposed to have died at the Demon King’s tower along with Gerhard Shultz, Alexander Falkner, Lukas Stallenwerk, Johanna Kelker, and Mechthild Leichenburg. Yet here he was, perfectly preserved. So, the story of their deaths was false after all.

Not that it made a difference. He was still dead. Just not where he was supposed to have died. With a sigh, I stood. “Did you find anything else, Highest?”

Bastian shook his head. “I can’t say if I checked every part of this place, but Master Thumel is all. The rest is empty, I’m afraid.” Bastian’s smile was in place, but his eyes were hard as he stared at the corpse.

Dietrich approached Thumel’s body cautiously as if he feared it would move. “Dang. What’s a guy like this doing here?”

“A good question,” said Bastian.

That was surprising. “You mean, you don’t know?” I asked.

He shook his head. “I, like you, thought the Seven died in the battle with the Demon King. It certainly claimed my uncle’s life.”

If Bastian was telling the truth, which was likely given his track record, there went my theory of Lina being the Heavenly Falcon’s daughter.

“You know what I think,” said Dietrich, joining us in our incidental huddle. “I think that the whole Demon King story is bunk. They probably all ran away because they were scared. This guy totally came here on his own to die of shame.”

I gave him a grave scowl. “Be serious. These are the Sainted Seven we’re talking about.”

Dietrich shrugged. “Well, how else would you explain it?”

“Not by implying the Seven are cowards.”

“I dunno,” said Dietrich, “Ulrich’s boss banished himself to the boonies—no offense.”

I did not know what “the boonies” were, but if Dietrich was asking for forgiveness, it was probably an insult. But I could not bring myself to care. I was far too focused on the mystery sitting dead on the floor.

“And besides,” continued Dietrich, “Somebody had to put that axe there. And judging by how weird you’ve been acting since you got that sword, I’m guessing not just anyone can wield one of those things. Even still,” his eyes glittered as gazed at the axe, “Since it’s just sitting here…” He began to reach toward it.”

“Don’t you dare,” I snapped. “Trust me. It’s not worth it.”

“Hey! You said we were friends!”

Yes, we are. But do you really think you can handle Dietrich wielding one of your kin?

Rudi hesitated. “Okay, maybe not Arier. That would be the worst.”

My point exactly. Plus, it was not a good idea to desecrate a tomb.

Bastian’s head twitched in my direction, his eyes on my hip. “Then it’s as I thought. I knew I recognized that sword at your hip.”

My voice caught. This was bad. The High Prince knew that I possessed a Sacred Tool. No doubt, he would demand that I relinquish her to him in the name of Ald Alira. Yet to my surprise, he smiled. “It’s been a while, Rudi. What an interesting wielder you’ve chosen for yourself.”

“It’s not like I chose him, Bastie. That faker of yours woke me up!” Rudi sounded half annoyed, half relieved.

“Now, Rudi,” The High Prince’s eyes became stern. “That’s not a nice thing to call someone. I’ll not hear such crude insults.”

“It’s true, though!”

Huh?! Bastian can hear her, too?! Today was full of too many surprises. My brain was threatening to explode with all I was learning! I wanted it to stop!

“How can you—?”

Lina shrieked. The three of us whirled to face her.

“What happened?!” I cried, drawing Rudi. Dietrich’s fists were raised, and Bastian’s swords were long drawn.

Lina had pinned herself against the wall, quivering, paralyzed with fear. Her mouth moved, but no words came out. All she could do was point a shaking finger behind us.

The three of us turned to look at the corpse. And, to my horror, the corpse was looking back.

His eyes were open.