An old ruin resembling a small castle could be found at the far west, overlooking a small stream and extensive hedges. The trees were sparse, and weeds and flowers dotted the surrounding area.
If one walked further from the remains of a stone bridge that led directly to what remained of a stone-arched entrance, one would notice the abrupt edge where the grass still grows from the dry earth, resembling that of a desert.
From that bridge, a figure walked to enter the castle ruins. The castle’s outer walls were covered with vines, and past its large, heavy double door lies the entrance hall that, despite looking worn, was devoid of any rubble. Each column holds torches, lighting the room as the scorching sun moves away to welcome the night. A wide staircase occupies the front of the room, branching out to the left and right, and above it was a rusted metal chain that might have held a magnificent chandelier during its prime, befitting the once grandiose setting.
A man stood close to one of the columns, looking like he had just lit the torch above him. He looked at the newcomer and tilted his head slightly, his silken black hair flowing down his shoulder, his dark eyes blank.
It was like the gaze of a living ghost, unmoving and cold.
“. . . So, it was a false sign?”
A thin, gnarly hand slowly raised and opened its fist, showing a lump of charcoal. The man took the offered object and gazed at it with the fire’s light.
In the eyes of anyone but his, the thin and fragile red lines that swirl and flicker around the small lump of charcoal would have been invisible. The man smiled, his entire countenance changing to visible delight.
“So, I’m right. Untrained, not the smallest hint of control, but there is a huge potential.”
The man chuckled and then started laughing, his voice a cold echo in the hollow place. “There are others. . . At last. There are others, somewhere, and I’m not alone anymore!” He cried, his smile lighting his face. He quickly turned, “What to do? Is their safety currently assured? Oh, much haste to do! We must find them first before the vultures sink their claws into them.”
He moved to the stairs; his steps were quick, even though he himself was unsure what to do first, stopping, turning, and muttering until he found himself standing in front of a large double door made of dark wood. Its surface was mostly scratched and chipped, but what remained of its symbols and lines was enough for anyone to recognize that they were magic circles, circling and framing the tree of knowledge like chains.
The man looked at the double door for a few moments before turning and walking towards the end of the left hallway in front of a room, into which he entered.
Unlike the state of the entire castle, this room was made to look befitting a person of high status. Flowers of every color, with roses as the majority, decorated the gilded golden room, and tall shelves were lined with books and curious bobs, most of them being children’s toys.
The man moved to the only figure in the room and grasped their hand. Cold, stiff, but it won't be for long. The thought made him grin even wider. “Our soon has arrived, my dear Louisa. A new path has opened, and your Alastair could finally, finally, bring you back.”
Sham clicked her tongue as she ran her finger on the dusty window pane. "I just dusted this two days ago."
"Wait till you see the shed outside," Noir quipped as he busied himself with grooming his face. "The wall's like a mini desert."
The woman groaned; she hates cleaning the shed. She kept on falling, no matter what stepping stone or box she used.
"By the way, the girl was already fast asleep, though it did take her long enough. I also did the basic checks, and she came up clean, so there's no imminent threat."
"Thanks," Sham sighed. "I actually like this house compared to the other ones we moved from before. The furniture all looked great! And it was far enough that we wouldn't be disturbed as much."
"Sometimes I think the years are starting to catch up to you and making you more senile." Noir's ear flicked when she noticed the human continued to gaze out in a particular direction. "Do you have more things to be worried about from that guest of ours?"
Sham shook her head. "No, I trust your skills. If you say that she's safe, then she's fine. Just that…" She paused. The air outside was just as hot and dry despite it being late in the evening. "News of refugees pouring into large cities was more rampant from the west. And this drought…"
"Nothing to be done about it." Noir moved to stretch his body till his toes curved. "As long as we maintain this little sanctuary we erected, we should be safe."
Silence filled the air between the two as Sham gazed outside for a few more minutes before closing the window.
"Hey, Noir?"
Her voice was softer now, though the silence seemed to amplify it. "Do you think… I'll be able to atone for my sins someday?"
The black cat's head moved, though he kept his back towards her. "Dunno. If I knew, then we wouldn't have continued living like this." He then trotted out towards the kitchen.