Kalika's gaze was empty as she stared at the castle carved into the pit wall.
Suspended in Rakon's grip, she hovered high above the ruins of a once-illustrious stone city, its grandeur and devastation mirroring that of her homeland's capital.
Finally, the castle loomed before them. Rakon landed hard, sending a burst of dust swirling. Kalika lurched in his grasp, face blank. Without hesitation, Rakon retracted his wings and strode straight for the entrance, his grip never loosening.
A guard at the entrance straightened in silent surprise as they approached, uncertain whether to speak or simply stare.
"
The guard nodded, and Rakon proceeded inside.
Rakon set Kalika down and strode ahead. "Follow me."
Kalika followed close behind. As they moved through the castle's colorless halls, she trailed her hand along the chipped stone, her touch slow and thoughtful.
Her face remained blank, but her fingers lingered—a flicker of curiosity glinting in otherwise empty eyes. Servants bustled past, repairing battered walls and chambers as they worked to restore the castle's lost glory.
Teyv, the red-skinned maid with long black hair and short horns poking out from beneath her bangs, approached, smiling as she bowed warmly.
"
"
Without another word, Rakon turned to a separate hall and departed.
"
Rakon waved her off. Kalika cocked her head, but before she could react, the maid seized her hand and pulled her into the winding corridors.
"
Teyv's tour was brisk, her explanations short as they moved quickly from room to room, each one either in disrepair or still lacking any flair.
"
Kalika's eyes lit with interest. She hesitated outside Rakon's study, narrowing her gaze. Her hand hovered over the doorknob, but she quickly pulled it back and continued with Teyv.
"
They continued through the hall, passing the corridor and entering through another door. "
Kalika stepped into the library. Shards of colored crystal light played across her skin; the sudden brilliance startled her in a world otherwise washed in gray.
"
Kalika straightened, curiosity briefly lighting her features.
Demon maids of all races surrounded Kalika, some cooing over her while others fussed with her uniform.
"" A succubus chirped.
Teyv frowned, glancing at Kalika. "
"
"
"
"
"
The other maids waved, watching as they departed before moving about to complete their menial cleaning.
As they left the chamber, a blast of cold air prickled across Kalika's chest. She glanced down at the black slave crest branded into her chest and flushed. She straightened her posture, jaw clenched, as whispers rippled through the corridor and curious eyes grazed her.
Each gaze was more curious than the last, uncertain now if the rumors were true.
As they neared the intersection, Teyv stopped. To Kalika's surprise, Gaz and Mae appeared, walking down the hall. They stopped as well, their eyes locking on her.
Mae narrowed her eyes in a glare, but Gaz quickly patted her arm, urging her to follow. "
"
"
Reluctant, she turned, leaving and allowing Teyv and Kalika to move on.
Teyv let out a sigh of relief and hurried Kalika in the opposite direction from Mae and Gaz.
Kalika looked curiously at the two before turning the corner with Teyv.
The day blurred by in a haze of sweeping, dusting, and hauling debris, until the castle crystals dimmed to mark evening's end.
At dusk, Teyv found Kalika, pressing a water pitcher and mug into her hands while balancing a plate of local fruit. "
The air was thick with the hum of gossip drifting through the corridors. As if on cue, another maid approached and broke into a hushed conversation. "
"
Kalika's ears perked.
"
Teyv raised a brow, then nodded. "
"
They marched on, and soon reached the Library. Entering, the first person in sight was Rakon, with his back turned, indulging in a scroll. Gaz, not too far, stood at the corner of the table, twisting back and watching them carefully.
Kalika stood, watching as Teyv brought the platter of fruit to Rakon under the watchful gaze of Gaz, who stood as a quiet monolith. Not long after, Rakon simply took it and waved her off.
Kalika lingered, but soon approached. From behind Rakon, she set down the tray with deliberate care. Her shoulders tensed, breath stilled, as if waiting for him to turn. He never did.
She set the tray down, poured fresh water, and kept silent.
Rakon took the cup without looking and continued to read.
Her fingers curled and her lips pressed tight. She lingered at the edge of his vision before forcing her expression blank and stepping away.
She hovered at the edge of his vision, lips pressed tight. Rakon kept reading, treating her like a shadow. Kalika's fingers curled, and then she looked away.
Teyv gently tapped Kalika's shoulder. "
Kalika ignored the maid, inching closer to Rakon. Her gaze locked on the scroll with gibberish text she barely understood.
"
Even under Gaz's piercing gaze, Kalika refused to move. She stood like a statue, bracing herself against the pressure around her.
Finally, Teyv's patience snapped, and she took Kalika's hand, tugging gently. "
Rakon's finger twitched. He glanced to his side, finally noticing Kalika with her dull eyes staring. He cleared his throat.
Teyv froze and bowed low. "
"
Teyv shook. Her head raised, looking apologetic. "
"" Rakon instructed.
Rakon shot him a look.
Teyv bowed.
Rakon turned to Kalika, awkward as he stared at her stone face. "Go on," he said. "I'll call on you another time."
Kalika turned away, stiff, one hand brushing her skirt as she stole a quick glance at Rakon over her shoulder before departing with Teyv.
As they left the room, Teyv breathed out a sigh of relief. "
"" Teyv led the way, and Kalika followed her into a small room filled with a jumble of mismatched clothes piled and hung on strings.
Without hesitation, Teyv picked out a sleeping gown and handed it to Kalika, who changed out of her soot- and dust-filled uniform into the new clothes.
Once finished, Teyv escorted Kalika into the maids' chamber, almost prideful. She assigned Kalika a nearby bed and sat her down.
"
Kalika, still expressionless, stared at the bed sheets as the light of the lanterns began to dim.
"
Despite the initial flush of chatter about her, the topics shifted and one by one, the chatter faded. The lanterns guttered out, leaving the chamber in deep silence, broken only by the soft snores of sleeping maids.
Kalika sat rigid on her cot, the darkness pressing in around her.
She lay back, staring at the ceiling, ears pricked for every sound, waiting.
After a long pause, she clenched the sheets tight.
Minutes, then hours passed. Still nothing.
At last, Kalika slipped from bed, her bare feet touching cold stone. Dissatisfaction gnawed at her, driving her forward and out the room, unnoticed.
********
"
The urgent call jolted Rakon from his rest. "
"
""
"
"
Rakon rushed faster through the dawn-lit halls, grim faces and bloodstained floors confirming the warning. His eyes focused, pushing past the chaos as servants nervously moved bodies that now littered the once-bland corridors.
Eventually he tore past the front guards and rushed outside—only to freeze. His men stood in fearful silence before the ruined city. Beyond them, Kalika slept among the corpses of his guards, facing the ruined city as if untouched by the chaos.
With jaws clenched, Rakon took command. "
On his order, his men worked, moving each body, lining them on the side of the castle.
With the bodies cleared, Rakon took Kalika into his arms and turned, re-entering the castle.
Kalika stirred in her bloodied gown. Her face, just as bloodied, looked up at Rakon. She smirked faintly, quietly amused by his sternness.