Nova stood, face illuminated with delight. “Is that it? The final verse?” 

Her back still to us, Lina nodded. 

“I’m sorry for how I’ve been acting. Had I not lost my temper, maybe Emberly wouldn’t have—” She was trembling. “You are good people. To be honest, I’ve known from the start. But I…” Her voice caught.

Nova could barely contain her excitement, but she managed and bowed her head. “I’m grateful, Red. And I apologize as well. I should have jest been honest with my intentions from the start.” 

Lina looked back at her with a slight smile. “I understand why you did. Dishonesty is the way of nobility. Isn’t that right, Anno?”

I jumped. “I…w-well, it’s…” But I stopped trying to stumble my way into an answer. Lina’s smile was knowing. I could not smile back. Nothing on my journey so far had disproven my view on nobles, but now was not the time to express such sentiments. 

Nova thumbed her nose. “You ain’t wrong, Headband. That’s how anything gets done when dealing with prissy upstarts like Queen Edelweiss and Prince Floran. I remember this one time—”

“Enough with the small talk!” Dietrich stepped between us. “We’re all friends again. So, now it’s treasure time!”

Nova glanced at me. I shrugged. She looked so relieved, she was practically floating. “Oh, thank Iliana! I didn’t wanna be insensitive or nothing.” She took a deep breath and exclaimed. “I can’t believe it; I can’t believe it! The final verse! Moog, we did it!” She leaped at her brother and hung off his arm. Moog did not share her excitement.

The slump in his shoulders returned.

Nova noticed nothing. She continued to babble and swung on her brother’s arm like a child. Eventually, she stopped and inhaled again as if taking her first breath after drowning. Letting go of her brother, she said, “Alright, alright. If I’m remembering correctly, the final verse went like:

‘Friends who seek to enter here,

—Who possesses Royal Light—

From the depths, your path is clear.

When the Sun Shines at Midnight.’

Did I get that right, Red?”

Lina blinked. “Word for word. That’s amazing.” 

I had to agree. 

Nova grinned and thumbed her nose again. “Thank ya. Gotta have a good memory when searching fer infermation.”

Her smile faded into a scowl of concentration. “As fer what it means…” She grabbed her chin. “The first three lines are easy. It—”

Dietrich raised a hand, all signs of pain gone. “Ooh, let me try!” 

Nova pointed at him with enthusiasm. “Go fer it, Big Grey!”

“It means that only someone with royal light can open the way to the Starcastle!”

Her grin returning, Nova snapped her fingers back into a point. “You almost got it. And what’s the ‘royal light?”’

Dietrich was stumped. He shrugged.

I was exhausted; the rush of battle had dissipated. But I knew the answer. “It’s a royal’s aura. The power which runs in their veins gives them their divine right to rule.”

Nova nodded. “That’s right. And you jest got a taste of it from my big brother!” She gave Moog’s arm an affectionate smack. “Didn’t I tell you that he was the strongest man in Alten? Now you see why.”

I grunted my acknowledgement. In all my life, I had yet to see a royal light, not even from my brothers.

Nova turned toward the lake. “That whole part's easy enough to understand. But the last line don’t make no sense. It’s a puzzler fer sure. How’s the sun supposed to shine at midnight?” Nova looked into the sky, at the stars and the moon. “Still got ourselves a few hours ‘til midnight. There’s plenty of time to figure it out.”

“It might not be literal,” said Lina, “Maybe it just means that it’s something that can shine at midnight.” She indicated the ground.

Nova brightened. “Not bad thinking, Red! Maybe this!” She bent down, snatched one of the lightstones, and chucked it toward the lake. We watched it soar several yards and vanish with a splash. 

Nothing happened. Nova clicked her tongue in disappointment. She sat on the spot, legs crossed and arms folded. 

Lina also slumped in disappointment. “I thought it would work.”

Dietrich tilted his head curiously. “Don’t you know the whole song?”

Lina made a face. “Just because I was forced to memorize it doesn’t mean I know anything about it.”

I perked up. “Oh? And why were you forced to memorize it?”

She gave me a stony look but otherwise ignored me. It was worth a try. My weariness was starting to overtake me. I did not have the energy to participate in the continued discussion, so I chose instead to survey our campsite, now a battlefield littered with graves. 

The grave of the missioner to whom the rosary belonged lay by the wreckage of the wagon. I looked at the polished wooden beads in my hand. They weighed heavily.

My attention turned to the wagon, which Moog had shifted when creating the grave. It would never drive again. The carriage was smashed to pieces, and one of the axles was snapped. It was indeed a loss, but the supplies inside were perfectly intact. Unfortunately, we would have to leave the mattress behind. That meant sleeping on the ground again. No amount of camping would make me enjoy such torture. 

Amongst the wreckage, the glittering form of Rudi lay on the ground. My mood soured as I was reminded of her earlier betrayal.

“Betrayal?!”

Yes, I would call it a betrayal. Your master almost died because you refused to listen.

“What do I care? You don’t take me seriously.”

I approached the sword and sat in front of her. I wish I could, but you’re not making it easy.

“Only because you keep treating me like a tool! I have feelings, you know. I have hopes and dreams.”

Such as? I asked as genuinely as possible. 

“Like I’d tell you!”

I seethed. She was being insufferable on purpose! 

“You’re so full of yourself. Even now.”

Rudi really knew how to hit someone in their sore spot. I’m trying, I am. Like it or not, I am your new master. 

“Which I don’t.”

Is there anything you do like?

“I’d like for you to leave me alone! Why did you have to wake me up, huh? I was fine with sleeping at the bottom of that horse’s trunk. At least it made the wait for Mother easier. But you and the fake just had to stick their noses where they don’t belong!”

As much as I wanted to inquire again about her name for Lina, I decided to focus on a different part of her answer. So, you’d rather sit around and wait for something that may never happen?

Rudi’s rage swelled within me. “She is coming! She promised me!”

Why hasn’t she? Why did Iliana leave our world?

“I don’t know. She wouldn’t tell me.” 

“Talkin’ to the voices in yer head again, Mr. Prince?” I heard hooves approach.

“And where have you been?” I could not recall Ulrich being among our group when we were discussing the verse’s puzzle. 

Ulrich sat beside me. “I was payin’ my respects.”

“I see,” said I. “To the griffin, you mean?”

“She saved my life. It’s only right.” 

“Right.” 

Neither of us needed to say anymore. We only sat listening to the sounds of conversation from the others. They spoke of the moon reflecting the sun’s light. 

“That can’t be it,” said Lina, “The moon shines down every night. You would have seen something, at the very least. Unless it has to be a certain phase.”

“Ew! Would you stop staring at me? It’s creepy.” 

I started. Ulrich gave me a side glance. “What’d Rudolf say?”

“That we’re staring too much.” And at her offended gasp, I added. “And she prefers Rudi.”

He snorted. “‘Course she does. The sheriff was terrible at givin’ names. You wanna know what he was gonna call me after rescuin’ me from the Wrangler? Black Horse. Glad he let me name myself.”

I snorted back a laugh. I was about to comment on how such a literal name suited him better and how he should be honored to be named by a Sainted Seven, but I was interrupted by another laugh inside my head. 

“Black Horse? That does sound like a name Gerry would think up! So stupid!” Rudi’s giggles were not cruel; they were pleasant, familiar even. 

So, you can laugh after all. I thought slyly. 

The giggles ceased. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I could picture Lina’s pouting face—the cute one where she puffed her cheeks in indignation—which suited the sound of Rudi’s voice almost too well.

“C-cute?! How dare you call me that!”

I wasn’t calling you cute. I was—

“Oh? So I’m not cute?  Well fine! Keep fawning over the fake, you simpering lout!”

Rudi fell into a huffy silence. I was utterly baffled. I have no idea what you’re talking about! You’re just a sword! How can a weapon be cute?

She did not answer.

Ulrich was giving me an amused grin. “Should I even ask what yer arguing about?”

“You don’t want to know.” I slumped. This was hopeless. Every time I tried to make a connection, Rudi bit back with the ferocity of a rabid warg. “How did Gerhard Shultz ever put up with this?”

“Beats me. By the time I met him, my rider refused to use it even on patrol. But he always wore her on his belt ‘til the day he died. That’s when he entrusted her to me.” 

“Stupid Gerry… He never gave up on me. Even when I told him I’d never forgive him.”

The urge to ask for elaboration burned my throat. But I beat it down in the form of a better thought. I’m sure he cared about you a lot. 

“So? He betrayed my trust, and I never spoke to him again.”

Do you regret it?

Rudi’s breath caught. “It doesn’t matter. He’s dead.” 

That’s a harsh way of thinking and a heavy burden to carry. 

I imagined Rudi’s eyes rolling; her following words dripped with sarcasm. “Oooh, wooow. I never thought about it like that. Thank you so much for such an insightful observation.” Rudi went quiet. When she spoke, her tone was different. “But at least you’re finally listening.”

There was a pause. “I’ve decided. You amuse me, servant boy. I will allow you the privilege of wielding me once more. Now, pick me up.”

Servant boy?! I’m the master here! And what’s with the posh attitude?

“Ha! You silly boy! Whatever do you mean?”

I won’t tolerate you calling me a boy. I am a prince. 

“A prince you may be, but you are now the user of Iliana’s eldest daughter. And if you wish to become worthy of me, you must become my obedient servant! So, pick me up!”

“Worthy of you?” I smirked, standing and brushing grass from my pants. Ulrich grunted. 

“What’d you say, Mr. Prince?”

We ignored him. The sword was quivering. “I don’t like the way your thoughts are going. You’ve seen what I can do! Mother granted me autonomy over reality itself. I can shape this world on a whim if I choose to. Why won’t you do what I tell you?”

“Because you don’t want me to, Rudi,” I whispered. “You don’t want a servant. And it was wrong of me to think of myself as your master. You’re just lonely, like I was.” 

“L-lonely? That’s so not true!” Rudi’s false grandeur was gone. “I was perfectly fine with collecting dust for thirteen years!” 

“You and I have much in common. Both abandoned by a parent, neglected, and forgotten. Betrayed by the one closest to us. In my case, I was wrong. Perhaps you’re the same as me?”

“No! We’re not the same! Don’t talk about things you don’t understand!”

“Help me to understand! I’m tired of guessing what people are thinking. You want me to listen? I’m listening.”

I waited, ears and mind open. Rudi said nothing. Ulrich said nothing, though he appeared rather perturbed. The only sound was the discussion from the others, who were too absorbed in their conversation to have noticed.

At last, Rudi said, “Like I’d tell you.” However, her heart wasn’t in it. 

I sighed, unsurprised but disappointed all the same. “When you are ready, I will be here to listen. Not as your servant, or your master, but as your friend.” I stood over the broken sword, wrapped my fingers around the handle, and lifted her with ease. “See? We are equals, you and I.”

Rudi hesitated. “Maybe I’ll tell you someday, if you’re a good enough listener.” A further pause. “But it’s not because I want to be your friend or anything, idiot!”

I could not help but laugh. “Now, who's the one that’s full of herself? Daughter of Iliana indeed.”

“Hey! It’s better than being the son of some no-name King and his backwater kingdom! Justice was the most boring place I ever had the displeasure of living!”

“You should see Pleasance—or well, what it used to be. But that’s a whole—” I froze. “Wait, what did you say?”

“You mean about Justice? I’ve never seen a place that has less going on. And the people are so filthy.”

“No, not that. The part about me being the son of a no-name king.” My eyebrows furrowed.

“Don’t be mad,” said Rudi dismissively. “It’s true. I mean, the way your father runs your kingdom, Cross may as well not have a king at all. Gerry used to say—”

But I was no longer listening. My brain ignited into overdrive. Of course! Why had I not thought of it sooner? I turned. “Everyone! I’ve figured it out! It’s—er…what am I looking at?”

I had turned to see Nova and Lina balancing on one foot on top of Dietrich’s shoulders, clasping each other by the hand while spreading their other arm and leg in the shape of an X. 

Moog was at a distance, looking quite embarrassed at this whole situation. Nova was not ashamed in the slightest. She looked back at me. “Well, I thought if we made the symbol of the sun with our bodies, it might count.”

Lina’s head turned slightly. “We might need one more person to make another set of rays. Get up here, Anno!”

I shook my head. “Not that I’m not tempted to join you in…that. But I might have a better solution.”

Dietrich grinned. “Really?! Leave it to the Boss and his big brain!”

I rubbed my neck sheepishly. “Well, it wasn’t just me. Rudi gave me the idea.” I presented the sword with my other hand. 

“I did?” She coughed in my head. “I mean, of course I did! I totally knew the way to get in!”

“Do tell, Headband.” Nova let go of Lina’s hand and hopped down from Dietrich to the ground. 

Lina lost her balance completely and almost fell before being rescued by Dietrich, who caught her and lowered her onto her feet. 

Nova was too busy staring at me to notice or care. “Go on. How do we open the Starcastle?”

“With him.” I pointed at Moog, who jumped. 

“M-me?!” Moog pointed at himself. “What can I do?”

I grinned. It was in front of our faces the entire time. “You’re going to shine, like the song says.”

They all blinked at me in confusion. Nova was the first to understand. She beamed. “Velvet Crystal! Was it really that simple?”

At the other’s continued confusion. I said, “Don’t you see? The song isn’t talking about the sun shining at midnight; it’s talking about the son shining at midnight.”

“That’s the same thing,” said Dietrich. His jaw was slack as he tried to process what I said.

Nova shook her head. “He means the son as in the Son of Alten. S-O-N. Missioner hymns are oral; they never write them down. Moog, you’ve been the answer the whole time!”

Moog raised his hands defensively. “B-but I've been going in and out of that lake fer months. It ain’t never done nothing.”

“Maybe Moog has,” I said, “But has Prince Taurus II?”

His eyes went wide, but he said nothing, so I continued. 

“You possess the royal light of Alten. This land is yours to command by right of Iliana. If you ask with that authority, the way to the Starcastle will appear.”

Moog looked as if I told him he was expected to take flight spontaneously. Or say more than ten words without getting embarrassed. “Authority? I don’t think…uh…I can’t…” He clasped his well-worn hands and ground his thumbs together.

“C’mon, Moog,” said Nova, “You’ve used yer light countless times!”

“Jest when people are in trouble. I ain’t got control of it.” The man was in distress. His thumbs continued to dance, as did his eyes. “I dunno how to use it when no one’s in danger.” Moog’s eyes settled on me. “Ain’t you a prince, too? Why can’t you jest do it? The hymn don’t say nothing about Alten’s son opening the way. It can be anyone with royal light, can’t it?”

My head was heavy as I shook it. “I am a third prince; I have yet to manifest my light.” And I doubted I ever would. My brothers’ ambitions to rule were far too strong. “But even if I could open the way, I wouldn’t. It must be you.”

Moog’s nerves gave way to frustration; his clasping hands tightened into a ball. “Confound it all! Why’s it gotta be me? Why’s it always gotta be me?!”

“Because it’s the duty you were born to!” I said. My eyes bore into his. “And no matter how much you try to run from it, you cannot escape it.” 

As much as I wanted to, I did not allow myself to look at Lina. This was not about her. 

Moog let out a grunt. “I never wanted any of this. The Starcastle’s a pile of gangue. It can rust under that lake fer all I care!”

Nova gasped. “You don’t mean that.”

“I do,” said Moog. His jaw was set, arms folded, the picture of stubbornness. His sister’s face tightened, tears in her eyes. I could not help but laugh and shake my head.

“You’re a moog if ever I’ve seen one, Taurus.”

Everyone’s reactions ranged from shocked to offended, but Moog, however, remained stony. “I guess I am.”

“Then that’s it,” I said. “Alten’s strongest had been beaten by his greatest foe.” I turned away and was face to face with a dejected Nova, who stared at her brother.

“Do you know why I have so much faith in you, Taurus?” she asked. “It’s ‘Cause you don’t believe in yerself enough yet, so someone’s gotta do it fer you.”

At his real name, Moog stiffened.

Nova continued, “And I think there’s a part of you that hasn’t given up on yerself. That’s why ye’r still holding on to the royal light.”

Moog said nothing for a while, allowing the night’s music to play uninterrupted. 

Then he said, “I still think y’all are placing yer faith in the wrong person.” He sighed. “But you may have a point. I guess I’ll try.” He sat and crossed his legs.

I smiled a princely smile. “That’s all we can ask of you.”

And so, we waited. Moog sat alone, staring out into the darkness where the lake lay. The rest of us sat around the renewed campfire. Conversation was nearly nonexistent, and when anyone did speak, it was in hushed whispers. 

The rush of battle was slowly leaving my body. It did not take long for tiredness to envelop me. And I was not the only one. My eyelids were growing heavy, but I refused to let them close. Even playing with the rosary beads did nothing to help, so I eventually pocketed them. Others, however, were beginning to succumb.

Beside me, Lina was swaying, her eyelids slowing with each blink. Dietrich lay on his back, chest slowly rising and falling. Nova’s head was only up because she held it steady with her hands supported by her elbows resting on her knees. She had initially watched her brother with worry; now her eyes were unfocused, and her face gradually slid further down onto her palms. Ulrich was the lone survivor of the oncoming sleep. While he was lying with his legs tucked around him, his ears were pricked, eyes alert.

Desperate to shake off the heaviness, I was about to stand and take a walk when Lina’s head came to rest upon my shoulder. Needless to say, I was wide awake. 

She looked peaceful. Lina’s breath was soft as she dozed, while mine was nonexistent. Her hair’s flowery scent wafted around my nostrils, asking—no begging for my refuge. A few of her stray hairs even fluttered against my nose in the wind, tempting me as they tickled me into nearly sneezing. But I endured. It would be unprincely, though my baser instinct longed to inhale deeply. Anyone would if they were in my position. 

However, my higher self won out; the two of us remained this way for some time. I did not count. Though I did shoo those devilish hairs back into place, taking care not to disturb the sleeping Lina.

In my head, Rudi made the occasional sound, the emotion indeterminable. I had no doubt she was baiting me into asking, but I chose to ignore her. I refused to look at her. Resheathed, she leaned against a nearby stone within reach. If she wanted me to know what she was feeling, Rudi could tell me. She did not, so we sat in silence until, closer to midnight than not, Moog stood.

Ulrich and Nova perked. Dietrich’s head popped up before rising to a sit. Though no one made any sound, their movement caused Lina to wake. With a snort, she sat up. “Wha happun?” she said thickly. 

My heart threatening to give out at the sight of her half-asleep face, marked with the impressions of my shirt, I forced myself to watch Moog approach. He was shaking his head. 

“It’s no good,” he said, coming to a stop just outside our circle. “No matter how much I try, I can’t do it. Can’t say I’m not surprised. Guess I’m jest a Moog after al—”

“What does being a prince mean to you?” I interrupted. All were surprised, none more so than I. Moog tilted his head. 

“I don’t understand the question.”

Neither did I, but Moog’s dejection and self-deprecation had stirred the question out of a deep recess in my soul. Yet I knew where it had come from. After her initial shock, Lina’s expression was now curious. Part of me must have been contemplating the idea because words began to surface.

“We were born princes,” I said, "I don’t know how it is in Alten, but in Cross, nobility see themselves as better than the masses, divinely blessed to rule.” I focused my attention on the lake. “But I’m finding that there’s more to it than that. To say I am better because I was born in a noble family feels…wrong.”

Silva had taught me that long ago, but the more time I spent outside among the people, the more it sank into me, becoming one with me. “Do you agree?”

Moog contemplated before he shrugged. “Mostly, I guess. It’s like you said. I ain’t better than anyone else.” 

“But?” I straightened. Voicing these thoughts aloud had brought my mind to the brink of a revelation.

Nova was staring at her brother with rapt attention; her eyes were alight with anticipation.

“But,” Moog echoed. “My Pa always says that no matter what, a prince has to stand above everyone else no matter what. That he has to live his title.”

My voice quivered in awe. “As a beacon of strength.” I had arrived at my answer at last. “We are granted the divine right to serve our people in ways they cannot serve themselves. They look to us, so we must stand where they can see.”

Lina was smiling. My body compelled me to stand. “You’ve been hiding in plain sight for too long, Taurus. Altenians may look down on a ‘hoity-toity’ prince like me, but a beacon like you—you represent the people of Alten; you are its simple and stubborn heart that beats with their noble spirit.”

As I spoke, Moog’s eyes danced with conflict, so I breathlessly pressed my point home. “Your light still shines because you long to protect your people. Your heart belongs to them. For as long as it does, you are their prince.”

Moog closed his eyes. After a long pause, he spoke. “Y’er right.” Bronze wisps of light appeared around him. “I’ve been running from myself fer too long, even before I became crown prince.” The wisps became a stream, which grew brighter until the fire and lightstones dimmed to mere shadows. “To answer yer question, Anno, a prince is someone who stands their ground.” 

He turned toward the lake and squared his shoulders, enveloped in his bronze inferno. He glanced back, eyes determined, then smiled. “But he also has to know when he’s jest being a stubborn moog.” 

I smiled back. “That’s a good answer.”

Moog faced forward, took a deep breath, and gave a wordless bellow that rang through the entire valley. His aura blasted forward, illuminating the lake. Its dark water sparkled as the light dusted its surface. The instant Moog’s aura settled atop the lake, it was absorbed into the water, the particles sinking to the depths. The aura faded, and the lake was swallowed by darkness once more. Nothing happened.

Dietrich clicked his tongue. “Aw man, I was sure that would—” He was interrupted by a blinding light from the lake. We collectively shielded our eyes from the brightness. The light shone gold, even through my closed eyelids. I willed them open a millimeter to see a pillar spilling skyward from the lake. But I could only stand to keep my eyes open for a moment before shutting them.

To my left, I could hear Nova yelling, perhaps cheering, but her exact words were quickly drowned by the all-consuming sound of rushing water, which was swiftly followed by a surge of glowing tide, ankle-deep, which threatened to push, then pull us to the lake as it ebbed. My boots protected me from getting soaked, but others weren’t so lucky, as I heard surprised cries from Lina and Dietrich.

On instinct, I snatched Rudi up so that she would not get swept away. She sighed in relief. From behind my eyelids, a deep shadow appeared within the pillar, rising slowly until it engulfed us. 

I risked opening my eyes again. Before us, wrapped in golden light, I beheld an enormous silhouette. It had many spires and was large enough that our entire campsite was eclipsed in its shadow. But slowly, the light surrounding it began to lessen, sinking back into the water until it settled into a soft golden glow.

The surge of water had extinguished the fire and stolen most of the lightstones, but there was no need for them any longer. The glowing lake itself was enough to bathe the newly risen building in a heavenly light.

The Starcastle. 

Tall, majestic, and made entirely of silvery metal, the Starcastle dwarfed any palace I had seen. It consisted of a central barbican surrounded by seven towers of various sizes, all of which extended past the lake’s surface. Water cascaded down gleaming walls, gilded with once-intricate patterns, though they were long worn away. Even still, time had not diminished its grandeur. Nova’s drawings could not do it justice.

The silver drawbridge, as large as ten Dietrichs, was closed. 

I squelched my way to Moog, who was staring up at the illuminated castle with his mouth agape, and clapped him on the shoulder. “So, still think it’s a pile of gangue?”

Moog closed his mouth to swallow. “I did this?”

“You did indeed, Prince Taurus.”

Moog whirled around, which knocked my hand away. “Nova! Did you see? I did it!” The man was giddy. “You were right!”

But Nova did not pay him any mind; she was kneeling, cursing at the gold-soaked ground, frantically pulling up grass. “Velvet crystal! Tin and iron! No, no, no! I’m such a fool! It’s ruined!”

Dietrich, Ulrich, and Lina surrounded her, the latter of whom tried to approach with a comforting hand. “What’s ruined? The Starcastle’s right there.”

Nova quelled Lina with a look before she spared a glance at the enchanted castle. “And? I didn’t come here for the castle itself! Look!” She showed Lina her fingers, stained with glowing gold particles. At Lina’s questioning look, Nova shoved it toward her face for emphasis. “It's Elaris! The entire lake was full of it!”

Lina leaned away from the other girl’s hand; her eyebrows knitted in confusion. “Oh, good! Isn’t that what you wanted?”

Nova threw her hands up. “Not like this! It’s finer than dust! Can’t sift… Completely useless…Pointless.” Having lost the ability to form basic sentences, Nova fell on her back with a splash and pouted to the heavens.

Ulrich nuzzled the princess with his nose. “That there building’s been down in that water fer decades. I’m not surprised it’s eroded.”

“Not just eroded,” said Nova, halfheartedly patting Ulrich’s nose. “It’s been completely stripped!” She sat bolt upright, eyes darting around the castle’s many sealed windows. “But the inside is dry! It’s gotta be intact! Moog! Big Grey! Git that drawbridge open!”

Dietrich saluted; Moog squared his shoulders, “You got it!” they said together and started toward the lake.

“No!” cried Rudi. “Don’t damage my Mother’s house, you buffoons! I can open it! Tell them!”

“Wait!” I said. Both men obeyed, looking at me in confusion.

“Boss?”

I pulled the sword from her sheath and held her aloft. “Rudi will open it.”

Like back in Justice, Rudi changed color, from silver to red. She did not stop there, however. The sword went from red to gold and began to glow. Her metal grew hotter and hotter, but at no point did I feel it burn.

“Mother! I’m home!” 

Rudi’s light extinguished, and she was back to her usual silver. No one spoke. After a few seconds, the drawbridge began to creak and slowly lowered itself on twin chains with links the size of my head. 

We each stepped back, Moog snatching his sister up before she could stand and carrying her away. At last, the drawbridge met the ground with a resounding thud. A gust of wind blew over us, bringing the smell of must and decay. The way before us was black. 

You did it. I thought to Rudi, dropping her to my side. 

“I’m just glad you listened to me.”

There was something off about her voice. Before I could figure out what, I detected movement in my periphery. I was about to turn when what felt like hands rested on my shoulders to stop me.

And Rudi whispered. Just three words. “Don’t turn around.”

Only this time, it was not inside my head. I shivered. 

I could not help but disobey. I whirled, my eyes catching a flash of gold, but there was nothing to find. Nothing except the other five, none of whom were close enough to whisper in my ear like that. I rubbed my cheek.

Lina tilted her head at me. “Something wrong, Anno?”

“N-nothing.” So, no one had seen anything. Typical. Just wonderful. My madness now included hallucination.

But was it a hallucination? Rudi’s voice sounded so real. Her breath had even tickled my ear. I looked at the sword in my hand. What was that?

“What was what? I told you not to turn around.” Her voice was back in my head. However, her tone was too innocent for my liking.

Oh, never mind. I was not going to get a straight answer out of her. Instead, I spoke to Moog. “Well, Taurus. You’re the one who summoned the Starcastle. It’s only right that you lead the way.”

He hesitated at first, but Alten’s prince set his jaw and nodded. With Nova in tow, Moog took the first step onto the silvery drawbridge. His metallic footsteps echoed as they walked into the darkness. 

The rest of us exchanged one last set of looks before we followed the siblings into the fabled Starcastle.