They moved past more strange paintings, each one shifting in theme the further they walked. Then, at last, they arrived before a colossal red wooden door.
Intricate carvings of needle and thread wove across its surface, shifting like living silk. The patterns undulated, flowing in an endless, hypnotic motion.
Selis placed her hand upon the door. At her touch, a soft white light pulsed through the carvings, spreading outward like rippling fabric.
With a deep, resounding click, the door swung open.
Kazimir stepped inside and found himself in a vast chamber supported by towering marble pillars.
The space was illuminated by grand candelabras, their flickering flames casting warm golden light across the polished floor. In the center of the room, wooden tables were arranged in a precise fashion, each covered with an array of sewing tools, spools of thread, and delicate measuring instruments.
To the left, a towering shelves stretched all the way to the ceiling, overflowing with fabrics unlike anything Kazimir had ever seen. Some shimmered like liquid metal, others pulsed with faint, otherworldly light. A rolling ladder rested against the shelves, allowing access to the uppermost sections.
At the back of the chamber, rows of shelves held neatly stacked boxes, each labelled in a language he didn't recognize, along with countless tailoring tools, shears, embroidery frames, and polished wooden cases filled with needles.
To the right stood a line of full-length mirrors, their silvered surfaces pristine. Next to them, mannequins and dress forms of all sizes stood, waiting for garments to adorn them.
Selis stepped inside, her silver armor gleaming under the warm candlelight. With a graceful gesture, she pointed to the right side of the room.
"Stand there," she instructed, her voice as smooth as flowing water.
Kazimir moved carefully, mindful not to disturb anything as he positioned himself before the mirrors.
Selis crossed the room, plucking a measuring tape from one of the tables. She worked swiftly, methodically, taking precise measurements of his arms, shoulders, chest, and legs. She moved with such fluidity that Kazimir barely felt her touch.
she was so close to him that he could see every silver scar on her face.
When she was satisfied, she placed the tape back onto the table and strode toward the wall of fabric.
For a moment, she stood still, her sharp eyes scanning the endless selection.
Then, she reached for the highest shelf. With the ease of someone who had done this a hundred times before, she took hold of the rolling ladder, climbed up, and retrieved a bolt of cloth.
Kazimir's breath caught.
The fabric was pitch-black, a darkness deeper than night itself. It did not reflect light, but rather swallowed it, as though it were woven from the very essence of the abyss.
Selis descended effortlessly and carried the fabric to one of the tables. Then, she retrieved a beautifully carved wooden box from the back shelves and laid it open. Inside, resting on dark velvet, was a single silver needle and an exquisite spool of matching thread.
She picked them up with reverence and sat down to begin her work.
"This will take some time," she said, her voice calm as ever. "Find a seat."
Kazimir obeyed, lowering himself into a chair as he watched her hands move with inhuman precision.
Silver thread glided effortlessly through the abyssal fabric, forming delicate, mesmerizing patterns. She embroidered symbols in intricate, flowing designs, some of which Kazimir didn't recognize. But at the center of the back, he spotted something unmistakable, the emblem of Umbrax, shining in silver against the endless black.
The longer he watched, the more he realized that this was not simply sewing.
This was magic.
Selis worked as though she was weaving something far beyond a mere garment, each stitch was methodical, each movement deliberate, as though she was binding something unseen into the very fabric.
When she finally finished, she stood and held up the cloak.
"It is done," she announced. "Stand before the mirrors."
Kazimir obeyed, stepping toward the full-length glass.
Selis approached and draped the cloak over his shoulders.
The fabric settled around him like a living shadow, fitting him perfectly. Despite its weightless feel, it clung to him, wrapping him in something beyond warmth, something deeper.
The cold of the castle halls changed and now he felt nothing but his own body heat, it was like all climate and temperature from outside had been cut off.
Kazimir barely dared to breathe. He had never worn anything like this before.
"It's… beautiful," he murmured, almost in disbelief. Then, hesitantly, "Why would you make something like this for me?"
Selis arched a brow, as if the question was unnecessary.
"Didn't I already tell you? It will protect you when we leave the castle."
Kazimir stiffened.
"Leave the castle?" he echoed, his voice laced with shock. "Why would we ever do that?"
Selis's expression remained unreadable.
"We need food," she stated simply. "And the castle requires other things.... to keep that thing sealed."
Her regal voice carried no room for debate.
Kazimir swallowed.
The nameless god
Selis, noticing his hesitation, exhaled softly.
"Let me show you how it will guard you," she said, reaching forward. "Pull up the hood."
Kazimir tried, but the cloak resisted, slipping open each time.
Selis hummed in quiet amusement before unclasping the brooch on her own armor, a silver emblem of Umbrax.
Then, she pinned it onto his cloak, securing it.
"Now try," she instructed.
Kazimir hesitated, then reached up and pulled the hood over his head.
The moment it settled into place, something shifted.
The room around him dimmed, as though he had stepped into a veil of shadow. The candelabra flames flickered but did not touch him. His reflection in the mirror blurred, his form becoming harder to define, as if he were half-submerged in darkness.
His heart pounded.
And it felt like he was becoming one with the shadows.