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So reads the rather ornate sign above the palace entrance. Honestly, you expected something much more, ahm, simple. The impressive structure before you is carved directly from the craggy black mountain-side, but bears none of the natural roughness. Instead, it's a rather beautiful design of modern architecture, even on the border of being delicate with its slender spires and arches. Strangely, however, even though its fashioned out of the mountain, it stands in sharp contrast to the iridescent black rock. Instead, it is built of sharp white marble, veined spider-like with stormy gray.
With a shrug, you push open the doors and walk inside.
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On the inside, the castle is dim. Light filters in sparsely from crystal misted windows, and delicate candlesticks line the hallways, their strange silver flames giving off a soft glow like starlight. You follow what seems like the main passage, its polished floor overlayed with a soft black carpet, designed intricately in white. Before you, an opening twinkles invitingly behind gauze curtains. By the design of the palace, it is obvious they trust no one would attack them. But something inside you whispers that maybe they have no need to fear...
As you reach the end of the hallway, you hesitate slightly to part the silky curtains. This place is rather obscure, you have only heard vague tales about the wonders inside, dismissed as madman's ramblings. But a voice echoes from behind the slender partition, youthful and exhuberant with something you can't quite put your finger on.
"Come in!! It's alright, none of 'em are in biting mood today!"
You wonder vaguely what urges you to enter, ignoring the veiled warning. A young girl sits crosslegged, dwarfed in a large black throne. Before her, a crystal ball hovers in midair, surrounded by tiny pendant-shaped crystals. She waves at you, a large smile on her pretty, pale face. "Hiya, I guess you're here for the demons?"
You blink at the odd statement, fear rising a bit in your chest. Demons? There were no mention...
She continues on, regardless of your discomfort. "Well, no one really comes for 'em, it's just a pleasant surprise. You know, you can't leave without one, they won't let you."
Your gaze is drawn to a slight purring you here from her lap. A large black cat is curled up there, draped in jeweled bandages and bangles. A single green-blue eye opens to regard you, then closes dismissingly. It's then that you become aware of the creatures in the room, nine at least. You can't believe you didn't notice them before, almost as if they were wating for you to look for them. The girl smiles wider, and there's a trace of wild madness in the silver gleam of her eye.
"These are the guardians of the demon races that live here. Don't worry, the races aren't really demons, they have just descended from them, and mimic their appearance. These guys, however..."
She laughs aloud. "They won't hurt you unless you mean us harm. In fact, they will lead you to their own seperate realms, so that you might find a companion that suits your liking. The little darlings have been complaining of late that they want their freedom, so feel free to take as many as are willing to go with you!"
The gauzey, shadowy curtains draping over the circular walls rise to reveal nine mirrors, each crystal clear but with something dancing behind the glass surface. The girl's voice takes on a serious tone.
"Just remember, if you take something with you, you are forever responsible for it. It is a contract, a binding of souls. Break it...well...lets say my demons are very protective."
She flashes you another cheshire grin. "So, go ahead, pick you poison..."
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