Story 411: The Court of Echoes

The grand chamber loomed ahead, an imposing testament to an era long past. Rook and Shadow stood side by side, their gazes fixed on the gilded throne perched atop a staircase of polished stone. Crimson banners hung from the walls, embroidered with symbols that seemed to shift under the flickering light of candelabras. Above them, a colossal iron chandelier swayed gently, its lit candles casting eerie shadows across the high vaulted ceiling.

“I don’t like this,” Shadow murmured, her hand brushing the hilt of her dagger.

“Join the club,” Rook replied, his eyes scanning the chamber for any signs of movement. The oppressive silence weighed heavily on them, broken only by the faint creak of the chandelier above. “But we’re here for a reason.”

As they stepped forward, the heavy wooden doors behind them groaned shut, the echo reverberating through the room like a finality. Rook glanced back, but Shadow’s focus remained forward, her sharp eyes narrowing.