The last remnants of golden light flickered across the cursed castle’s crumbling towers.
One by one, all the other stone statues surrounding Kent began to move, their rigid forms loosening as if waking from a dream. Confusion and disbelief painted their faces as they stared at their trembling hands, flexing fingers that had been still for centuries.
A murmur rippled through the crowd. Some wept, collapsing to the ground in relief, while others shouted questions into the air. Fatty Ben remained glued to Kent’s side, hiccuping between sobs as he clung to his master.
“What… what is this?” A tall man with silver hair stepped forward, his eyes narrowing at Kent. “You! Boy! What have you done? Are you the one responsible for this curse?”
Several others murmured in agreement, slowly forming a half-circle around Kent. Though many appeared grateful, others clenched their fists, suspicion and anger burning in their gazes.
Kent sighed, rubbing his temples. “Listen up, everyone. I’m not the one who cursed you. In fact, I broke the curse.”
A woman, draped in ancient armor, sneered. “Why should we believe you? For all we know, this could be another trick.” She raised her hand, summoning a thin blade from her belt. “I’ll not fall for another trap. If this is some twisted game, I’ll end it now!”
A flicker of irritation crossed Kent’s face. Without a word, he lifted his hand and snapped his fingers. A golden ripple surged across the ground, spreading outward from Kent’s feet. Those who had taken aggressive stances immediately dropped to their knees, eyes wide with shock.
“Kneel.” Kent’s voice was calm but resolute. “I don’t have the patience for this. You’re standing inside my castle. In here, I make the rules.”
The silver-haired man grunted, struggling against the unseen force pressing him down. “What… what is this power?”
Kent slowly ascended into the air, hovering a few feet above the crowd. His eyes swept across the gathering of newly freed individuals. “Hundreds of years have passed since you were first trapped here. Many of you may have entered this castle in search of treasure or glory, but what you found was a curse that bound you to stone. I broke that curse.” His voice echoed across the empty halls. “Whether you believe me or not doesn’t change the truth. The world outside is no longer the one you remember.”
A heavy silence fell upon them. Some lowered their heads, processing the weight of Kent’s words. Others refused to accept it.
A younger man in ragged robes rose shakily. “You expect us to believe that centuries have passed?” he asked, his voice trembling. “My family… my village…”
Kent met his gaze evenly. “They’re gone. Time hasn’t waited for you. The world moved on.”
The man staggered back as if struck, collapsing to his knees with a broken sob.
Another voice rose. “Then what do we do now? Where are we supposed to go?”
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Kent shrugged. “That’s up to you. I can lead you out of the desert, but I won’t hold your hand afterward. You’re free to leave, but I have no interest in convincing you to stay.”
No one spoke. Kent turned on his heel, walking toward the grand entrance of the castle. His companions—Fatty Ben, Mohini, Lambu— and all others followed closely behind. As Kent passed through the threshold, the massive doors swung open without him touching them.
Fatty Ben jogged beside him, his eyes wide with wonder. “Master, this castle really recognizes you as its lord, huh? Look at how it reacts.”
Kent smiled softly. “It seems that way.”
The castle’s interiors glowed faintly with golden light, illuminating hallways adorned with ancient paintings and statues. As Kent strode forward, doors that had once been sealed for centuries creaked open. The air hummed with forgotten magic.
“Oh God, look!” Gunji gestured to a wide door with intricate carvings. As Kent approached, the door melted away like mist, revealing a vast chamber filled with musical instruments. Lutes, flutes, harps, and more floated in mid-air, each glowing faintly with enchantments.
Kent stepped inside, his fingers brushing over the strings of a harp. A soft melody filled the room. “This… must be the treasury of musical treasures. Look at these artifacts.”
Fatty Ben grabbed a drum, only for the instrument to puff out of existence in a shower of sparks. “Ah! Master, I think some of these are only illusions.”
Kent laughed. “Seems like the castle still likes to play tricks.”
They continued down the hall, discovering meditation chambers lined with gemstones and soft cushions. The air in one chamber seemed to buzz with power, filling Kent’s body with energy as he stepped inside.
“A meditation hall. The energy here is different from the outside,” Kent mused.
Further exploration led them to a large vault sealed with a crystalline lock. Kent raised his hand, and the lock dissolved. The doors swung open to reveal piles of golden artifacts, magical scrolls, and bottles filled with swirling light.
Fatty Ben’s eyes sparkled. “Master, I think we’ve hit the jackpot! Look at all this!”
Aran Lam knelt beside one pile, examining a crystal bottle that pulsed faintly. “These aren’t ordinary treasures. Some of these could be priceless.”
Jean stepped beside him. “All these treasures belong to you, right?”
Kent nodded. “Take whatever you can use and master. The rest stays here. This castle is bound to me now. It’ll protect these treasures until we need them.”
As they left the vault, Lambu, Mohini’s pet, stopped and sniffed at another sealed door. Mohini raised an eyebrow. “What is it, Lambu?”
Kent approached the door. With a touch, it opened to reveal a garden bathed in moonlight, despite the sun outside. Flowers glowed softly, and a small stream trickled down the middle.
“A hidden garden inside the castle? This place is full of surprises,” Kent whispered.
As they walked deeper into the garden, the weight of the curse, the arguments, and the doubts faded away. For the first time in centuries, the cursed castle felt like heaven.
–
*Expect bonus-chapters this weekend.