The Youth in the Cold Palace

The towering palace looked solemn and majestic.

Emotionless god guards stood at each side of the palace gates like sculptures. They looked tiny compared to the tall and grand gates. Looking into the palace through the vermeil palace gates that were open wide, one could see no end, only gates after gates.

The palace was empty. There were no guards on patrol or maidservants coming in or out.

The floor of the palace was made of burnished blackish gold slates. Under the sunshine, the glittering surface added to its luxuriousness. In comparison, the stone carvings along the road were unadorned and simple. The lifelike images on the stone carvings depicted devils in the haunted night. The devils all looked ferocious, vicious, gloomy or cunning.

The whole palace was extremely silent. No sound could be heard, but anyone in it could sense an unspeakable pressure.