Aqaire 2

Mazuka, Mayra, and Aya stood before the towering figure of King Karl Nefaria. The man was dressed in regal attire, but there was a distinct ruggedness to his appearance, a blend of nobility and battle-worn experience.

"I am Karl Nefaria, King of these lands," he said, his deep voice filling the room. "I hear you've traveled quite a way to get here." His eyes flickered with curiosity. "Tell me, how was your journey?"

Mazuka stepped forward, giving a slight nod of respect. "We faced some complications, but nothing we couldn't handle."

Karl's brow furrowed slightly. "Complications? Ah... you must mean the trap." He paused, as if weighing his words. "That wasn't meant for you. It was laid there last month—meant to catch some rather... undesirable creatures. I'm surprised you managed to get through it."

Mazuka exchanged a quick glance with Mayra and Aya. "It wasn't easy," he admitted. "But we've been through worse."

The king studied them for a moment, then nodded, seemingly satisfied. "I'm relieved you weren't caught in it. That trap was never meant to harm travelers. However, it's nearly evening now, and you must be tired after your journey."

He clapped his hands, and almost instantly, a young man appeared in the doorway. "Jack," Karl addressed him, "show our guests to their rooms. They'll need rest before the sun rises."

Jack bowed his head and motioned for the trio to follow him. As they began to walk away, the king's voice echoed behind them, "Tomorrow, we'll talk more. There's much to discuss."

...

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Mazuka jolted awake at the sound of a knock. His hand instinctively shot toward the hilt of his sword, lying within arm's reach by the bed. Eyes narrowed, he watched the door, ready for whatever might come.

Another knock, softer this time.

Mazuka exhaled, letting his grip on the weapon loosen slightly. It wasn't an attacker; if it had been, the door would have been blown apart by now. "Enter," he called, his voice still rough with sleep.

The door creaked open, revealing a maid dressed in the castle's formal attire. She was young, with a polite but distant expression. Her eyes darted briefly toward the sword by his bed, but she said nothing of it. "Good morning, Sir Mazuka," she greeted him with a quick curtsy. "I have brought you a change of clothes for the day."

Mazuka sat up, brushing his hair out of his face. He observed the maid as she laid out the clothing on a nearby chair. The outfit was more formal than what he typically wore, a sign of the castle's customs. A finely woven dark blue tunic, the fabric of which was clearly made from a luxurious blend of materials, likely silk mixed with linen for breathability. The tunic bore faint silver embroidery along the edges, depicting swirling patterns reminiscent of flowing water, a likely nod to the kingdom's coastal position.

Accompanying the tunic were black trousers, slim but flexible, made for ease of movement, and a belt with a silver buckle, polished to a gleam. A pair of boots, clearly made of fine leather, stood at the foot of the chair, well-fitted and sturdy.

"If there's anything else you need, I will be nearby," the maid said, her voice barely above a whisper. She bowed and then quietly exited the room, leaving Mazuka to inspect the clothes more closely.

Mazuka raised an eyebrow as he took in the attire. A bit fancy for his tastes, but he had dealt with worse. He stood and quickly stripped out of his usual gear, slipping into the soft tunic and fastening the belt around his waist. The boots fit snugly, their leather creaking slightly as he adjusted to the unfamiliar feeling. He rolled his shoulders, finding the clothes surprisingly comfortable despite their formal appearance.

Just as he finished securing his sword to his belt—a compromise he wouldn't make, even in a castle—the maid returned. She knocked again, less cautiously this time. "Sir Mazuka, if you are ready, I can show you to breakfast," she offered with another small bow.

Mazuka gave a nod, casting a quick glance around the room to make sure he hadn't left anything of value out. "Lead the way."

He followed the maid through a series of winding hallways, each turn blending into the next. The castle seemed much larger on the inside than he had originally thought. High stone ceilings loomed overhead, and tapestries hung on the walls depicting the kingdom's history. Every step echoed in the otherwise quiet corridors, and after a few minutes, Mazuka was convinced they had been walking in circles.

The maid, however, showed no hesitation as she guided him through the maze-like passageways. Mazuka's eyes darted around, mentally mapping the layout as best he could, though the task was made difficult by the seemingly endless twists and turns.

Finally, they arrived at a set of ornate double doors. The maid opened them with a graceful push, revealing a large dining hall. A long wooden table dominated the center of the room, large enough to seat at least fifteen people. Golden light from the morning sun streamed in through the high arched windows, casting soft shadows across the stone floor. The air smelled faintly of fresh bread and something roasting, making Mazuka's stomach grumble in response.

Two of the seats were already occupied.

Of course, Mayra would already be here.

Mazuka's eyes immediately found her, sitting with her legs crossed, her twin blades resting casually against the side of her chair. She leaned back with an air of impatience, drumming her fingers against the table's surface. Mayra caught Mazuka's gaze and smirked. "Took you long enough," she teased.

Next to her, Aya sat quietly, her hands folded in her lap. She glanced up briefly, offering Mazuka a shy smile before quickly looking back down at her plate. She hadn't touched her food yet, clearly waiting for the others to arrive before starting.

Mazuka gave Mayra a look but didn't engage in the banter. He walked across the room and took a seat near them. As he sat down, he allowed himself to relax, if only a little. The castle may have been a labyrinth, but it felt like the morning would at least start peacefully.

The maid lingered by the door for a moment longer before quietly slipping away, leaving the three of them alone in the vast room. Mazuka glanced over the spread on the table—various fruits, breads—his hunger slowly growing as the aroma filled the air.

"Sleep well?" Mayra asked, a sharp grin still playing on her lips.

"As well as one can in a place like this," Mazuka replied, cutting a piece of bread and tearing into it. "I assume you're already scheming something."

"Always," she said with a wink.

...

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As Mazuka finished chewing his last bite of bread, the door swung open again, this time revealing Jack. The young man stepped inside with a confident stride, his expression serious. "Sir Mazuka," he said, his tone brisk. "If you're done with breakfast, King Karl is ready to meet with you. Follow me."

Mazuka nodded, wiping his hands on his trousers before rising from the table. He shared a quick glance with Mayra and Aya, who both seemed curious about what lay ahead. With a final wave, he followed Jack out of the dining hall, the door creaking softly as it closed behind them.

As they made their way down another set of corridors, Mazuka couldn't shake the feeling that they were winding through a maze. Jack led him with purpose, yet every turn seemed identical to the last, the stone walls and flickering torches creating an overwhelming sense of déjà vu. The high ceilings echoed their footsteps, and the air felt heavy with the weight of untold stories.

At one point, Mazuka couldn't help but voice his frustration. "Do you ever stop to consider how many turns we've made? This place is like a labyrinth."

Jack glanced back with a slight grin. "It takes a while to learn the castle's layout. Trust me, you'll get used to it. For now, just follow me."

After several more twists and turns, they finally arrived at a heavy oak door. Jack paused, giving Mazuka a brief nod before pushing it open.

Inside was a small chamber that immediately struck Mazuka with its serious atmosphere. At the far end of the room, a five-seat table stood, and seated at the head was King Karl Nefaria. His expression was focused, his gaze locked onto a large map spread across the table before him. Various markers indicated troop positions and key locations within the kingdom, making it clear this room was used for strategizing war efforts.

Mazuka stepped inside, and Jack followed him, closing the door quietly behind them. The atmosphere shifted; the air felt charged with purpose and anticipation.

"Ah, Sir Mazuka," King Karl greeted, looking up from the map. His eyes were sharp, betraying the weight of responsibility that rested on his shoulders. "Thank you for coming promptly. We have much to discuss."

...

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Mazuka left the war room, the heavy oak door closing silently behind him. The air felt different now, charged with the weight of King Karl's revelations. The conversation replayed in his mind, a grim reminder of the reality he faced.

The four strongest elemental kingdoms—Pyrone, Nefaria, Ithris, and Azure—were allegedly plotting to eradicate all demonkind. The king had laid out the evidence: strange troop movements, whispered alliances, and reports of gatherings among the leaders. Mazuka had listened intently, but doubts churned within him. Did these humans truly believe they could wipe out an entire race?

As he walked down the corridor, the castle's stone walls loomed around him, echoing the king's words. We will not allow the demons to threaten our homes any longer. It was a rallying cry, but to Mazuka, it felt like a death knell for countless innocents caught in the crossfire.

He paused for a moment, glancing out a window. The kingdom of Nefaria stretched out before him, its rolling hills and bustling towns seemingly unaware of the storm brewing on the horizon. It was peaceful here, yet the tension in the air was palpable.

But what does it matter to me? he thought, pushing away the gnawing unease. His mission was clear: kill the demon king, Xedeth Darkshadow. That was his purpose, given to him by the goddess herself. Whether the humans exterminated demons or lived in harmony with them was of no concern to him.

He had been thrust into a world of conflict and alliances, but Mazuka was merely a pawn in a larger game. The demons had their own struggles, their own narratives, and he wasn't part of that story. He felt a twinge of guilt at the thought of what the impending war could mean for innocent lives, but he quickly silenced it. He couldn't afford to be sentimental.