They descended deeper into the castle than Kazimir had ever been.
The grand halls of statues and gilded paintings gradually faded behind them, replaced by cold, unadorned stone walls. The air grew heavier, filled with a quiet stillness that carried an unspoken weight of history.
Eventually, they arrived at a vast hall lined with statues clad in armor. Each one gripped a sword and a shield with the Umbrax crest on it, their expressions frozen in silent vigilance. Their presence felt different from the other statues in the castle, less like decorations and more like forgotten sentinels.
Weapons covered the walls; swords, axes, spears, shields, all meticulously arranged. Some bore strange engravings, others gleamed with an unnatural sheen. Many were unfamiliar to Kazimir, their designs unlike anything he had ever seen.
At the far end of the hall loomed a massive black door, its surface engraved with intertwining symbols of swords, shields, and armor.
Selis approached and placed her hand upon the door.
A brilliant white glow pulsed from her touch, spreading through the engravings like veins of moonlight. With a deep rumble, the door unlocked and swung open, revealing the armory beyond.
Kazimir stepped inside and felt his breath catch.
The chamber was colossal, its high ceiling supported by towering pillars. From above, silver chandeliers bathed the room in soft, ghostly light.
The walls, made of polished black stone, gleamed under the glow of enchanted flames. Along them hung an overwhelming array of weapons and tools, each placed with precision and care.
Selis led him forward, her footsteps echoing over the dark stone floor.
Kazimir's gaze wandered as they walked.
Weapon racks stood in perfect rows, filled with swords so exquisitely crafted they looked more like art than instruments of war. Banners of silver silk draped the walls, each emblazoned with the royal crest of Umbrax.
To his left, he saw bows hanging in meticulous order, each one unique in size and curvature, their strings taut with potential. Below them, quivers overflowed with arrows of varying designs, some tipped with metal, others with glistening crystal or obsidian.
Scattered throughout the room, armor stands displayed suits of every kind, sleek and elegant, imposing and brutal, crafted in metals, leather, and materials Kazimir couldn't even begin to name.
To the left, an open passage led into a forge, where enormous chains dangled from the ceiling, and massive forges lay dormant, their once-roaring fires now embers in the silence.
To the right, another opening led to a vast training ground, its sand-covered floor marked with the scars of countless battles.
Selis moved with quiet purpose, examining each armor stand as they passed. Eventually, she stopped before one in particular.
It was unlike the others.
A suit of black armor, its surface textured like reptilian hide, layered with black scales that shimmered like the void, with black leather straps holding it all together.
Selis studied it for a moment before finally speaking.
"What do you think of this one?"
Kazimir stepped closer.
The armor was his exact size.
"I crafted this from materials of the same world as your cloak," Selis said, her voice steady. "It shares the same properties, the same connection to shadows. They will pair well together."
Kazimir reached out, running his fingers over the material.
It was softer than it looked, supple yet incredibly strong. Stitched into its seams was the same silver thread as his cloak, glinting faintly in the dim light.
The more he studied it, the more he realized just how perfect it was.
"Where can I try it on?" he asked.
Selis gestured toward the training ground.
"There. Just come back once you are done.
Kazimir nodded and made his way toward the open archway.