The Echoes Of Souls

Chapter 3

Darian, Everett, and the blue-eyed girl left the underground tunnels and emerged into the grounds of the Sovereign’s castle.

They had barely stepped outside when the large bell above the castle gates began to toll.

The girl stopped and looked toward the castle.

“Darian, you and Everett will have to wait outside. The Sovereign wants me to report to him alone.”

Darian nodded, then glanced at Everett.

“Then what should I do with him?”

“Take him somewhere nearby. I won't be long.”

She turned toward the castle gates and walked away.

Everett watched her disappear through the large doors before looking around. He was still trying to understand the world around him. The castle grounds were nothing like the underground prison where he had spent the past days.

There were statues scattered around the grounds, most of them depicting warriors carrying swords, shields, and other weapons. Some stood alone, while others were carved alongside another warrior, as though they had fought together.

Everett wondered how old some of them were.

The girl’s words still remained in his mind. Her voice had been soft, almost gentle, yet something about it had stayed with him.

Darian motioned toward a nearby bench.

“Sit.”

Everett followed him and sat down.

The bench was only a short distance from the castle gates. Darian remained standing nearby, watching the entrance while they waited for the girl to return.

Everett sat quietly on the bench beside Darian, waiting for the girl to return.

His eyes drifted toward the large flag hanging above the castle gates. It bore the symbol of a phoenix with the head of an eagle, its wings spread wide across the dark fabric.

Everett stared at it for a moment. He had never seen the symbol before, yet something about it made him feel as though he should know what it meant.

Before he could think about it further, the castle gates opened.

A royal servant stepped outside.

“His Highness has summoned you.”

Darian stood and looked at Everett.

“Come.”

He led Everett through the gates.

Everett's eyes widened as he entered the castle. The inside was far larger than he had expected, and the sight of it only made the strange world around him feel more real.

They continued toward the throne room.

As they approached, Darian leaned closer.

“When we reach him, kneel.”

Everett nodded.

They stopped before the throne.

“Your Highness,” Darian said.

He lowered himself onto one knee, and Everett quickly followed.

A deep voice came from above them.

“My loyal commander, stand.”

Darian rose.

The Sovereign's attention shifted to Everett.

“You may stand as well.”

Everett slowly got to his feet and looked at the man sitting on the throne.

King Vaelric was not as intimidating as Everett had expected. He was not particularly tall, although he was still taller than Everett. His black and dark-red royal clothing gave him a commanding appearance, but there was something about him that reminded Everett of the robes worn by sorcerers in the fantasy stories he remembered.

Everett stared at him.

Swords. Sorcery. Warriors. A kingdom ruled by a king.

The pieces were beginning to come together.

He had read enough novels and manga and watched enough fantasy stories to recognize what kind of world this looked like.

The strange part was that none of those stories had ever felt this real.

Until now.

The conversation in the throne room continued longer than Everett had expected.

King Vaelric already knew everything Darian had learned during the interrogation, so there was little left to ask Everett. Instead, the two men spoke for a while about what had happened and what they should do with him.

Then, without warning, the Sovereign said, “Darian and Everett, you will duel before me.”

Both of them looked at him.

“What?” Everett asked.

Darian frowned slightly. “Your Highness, may I ask why?”

“You will understand soon enough.”

Everett looked between them, confused.

A royal servant entered the throne room carrying two swords. They looked new, their blades clean and bright as she placed one in front of each man.

Everett stared at the sword.

Is this where I meet my end?

None of this made sense. He had only just been released from prison, and now the king wanted him to fight the man who had interrogated him.

Darian, however, seemed to have already figured out what the Sovereign was thinking.

He probably wants me to test him, Darian thought. Everett is too dangerous to simply let him wander around without knowing what he can do.

King Vaelric picked up a glass of red wine and settled back on his throne.

His gaze remained fixed on the two men.

Darian was his commander and the warrior he trusted most. He had served him for years, survived countless battles, and never once betrayed his king or abandoned his principles.

If anyone could test someone as mysterious as Everett, it was Darian.

Vaelric took a slow sip of his wine.

Then his eyes settled on Everett.

“Everett.”

Everett looked up.

“If you win this duel, you become king.”

The room went silent.

Everett stared at him.

Darian burst into a short laugh.

“The crown is mine, then,” he said, picking up his sword.

“This just went from strange to completely insane in a matter of seconds.”

Everett picked up the sword from the table. The moment his fingers closed around the handle, his arm dropped slightly under its weight.

He stared at the weapon.

“So heavy,” he muttered. “I’ve never held a real sword in my life, and they expect me to duel?”

“Come on!” Darian called from across the hall.

Everett looked up.

Darian’s expression remained calm as he raised his sword.

“Attack me.”

Everett tightened his grip and tried to lift the sword properly. It was heavier than he had expected, and even holding it with both hands took more effort than he wanted to admit. He raised it above his head, but the weight made the blade shake slightly.

From his throne, King Vaelric watched him with interest.

For a moment, Everett looked as though he might lose control of the sword and bring it down on his own head.

Vaelric leaned back slightly.

“A little entertainment isn’t bad from time to time,” he said quietly.

The royal servant standing nearby said nothing. She simply watched the two men.

Darian moved.

In the next instant, he crossed the distance between them.

Everett panicked and swung his sword with everything he had. He had barely started the movement when Darian knocked the weapon from his hands.

The sword struck the floor with a loud clang that echoed throughout the throne room.

Everett froze.

He had no weapon left.

Darian’s blade was already in front of him.

Everett stared at the edge, suddenly realizing how badly this could end. He had never fought with a sword before, while the man standing before him was the Commander of the Sovereign’s Guard.

Then Darian stopped.

The blade remained only a short distance from Everett’s face.

King Vaelric began to clap.

The sound echoed through the hall.

Darian lowered his sword and looked toward the king.

“I understand,” he said, sounding mildly disappointed. “Your Highness, this is going to be a lot of work for me, but I’ll do everything I can.”

Vaelric stood and handed his wineglass to the waiting servant before walking toward them.

When he reached the two men, he placed one hand on Darian’s shoulder and the other on Everett’s.

“Congratulations on your new student, my friend,” the king said with a smile.

Everett looked at him in confusion.

Student?

Darian glanced at Everett, then back at the king.

Vaelric smiled.

“Now go and show him his new home.”

Before Everett could ask what he meant, the king turned and walked back toward his throne.

As he settled into his seat, he looked over his shoulder.

“I can’t wait for the next time we meet, young man.”