Sunshine

"This is a surprise," Zephara responded, her voice a soft murmur, my heart fluttering in amazement.

Could it be true? Zephara had been weaving plans for me? Was it conceivable that she had orchestrated something grand? A myriad of questions danced through my mind as we arrived at the base of the stairs and continued down the elongated, eerie hall.

The walls, which I had expected to be cloaked in shadows and decay, were instead pristine, untouched by time or neglect. The air was unexpectedly fresh, a stark contrast to the musty corridors of old.

It dawned on me that this part of the castle must have been tenderly restored, perhaps in anticipation of this very moment. We arrived at a set of imposing metal doors, their surface etched with intricate patterns that seemed to whisper tales of ancient glory and long-forgotten secrets.