[Author's Note: In this version, princess Katherine was murdered by Hakon before Goliath could get there in 'Episode Two, Season One'. In an act of revenge, the Magus cursed the remaining gargoyles to stay asleep until the princess set foot on the castle's grounds again (basically condemning them to a sleep-like death since the princess is already dead, unable to go back to the castle). After this, the Magus wrote the princess's tale into a book before committing suicide via the same spell he used on the gargoyles. He died of a broken heart (despite his love for the princess being unrequited).]
Billy's P.O.V. (Current Day):
Ever since I was little, I've loved two things. Castles and gargoyle statues. Unfortunately, America is lacking in both. One of the first things I did when I graduated undergrad was apply to the University of Edinburgh; it has a frikin castle in the middle of the city! Well, so does London, but still. I've always been attracted to Scotland; I can't explain why. I got my masters in Edinburgh and applied for my PhD there. Needless to say, I'm not going anywhere anytime soon.
It was my summer off in my second year of PhD; the first week of July to be exact. I thought it was the perfect opportunity to go sightseeing all throughout the Highlands. I may not have a driving licence for cars per se, but I do have my motorcycle licence! With some help from my uncle, I managed to get my hands on a bike for the summer. I packed up my backpack, got me some leather and a pink helmet, and rode off into the wilderness in search of some abandoned castles.
After a week or so of riding, I finally reached it: Castle Wyvern. It reminded me a lot of Linlithgow Palace- one of my most favourite castles in the world. Only, unlike Linlithgow, there were no tourists. Actually, there was no one period. I grew more and more curious as I approached the town near where the castle was. Some locals told me that everyone in the area avoids the castle grounds like the plague; haunted apparently.
That seemed…. well, more than a little bizarre to me. I'd been to lots of castles before and all of them have claimed to be haunted. Heck, Edinburgh is supposedly the most haunted city in all of Europe. Granted, I've never seen anything which would make me believe that ghosts or ghouls exist. And obviously I'm not the only one to let those rumours keep them away; all the castles I've been to I've had to pay to go inside, after all. But this place…..
I suppose the locals are entitled to their own beliefs, even if they're sitting on a gold mine here. What surprised me even more was the lack of out-of-towners coming to visit the site. I mean this place was teaming with history, and yet, when I got there, the castle looked as if no one had been there in centuries. No graffiti, no litter, no animal leaving- nothing. It's kind of a miracle really. Oh well; all the better to explore!
I set my bike up at the side of the castle wall outside. Considering that I hadn't seen anyone in a couple of hours, it felt safe enough to leave it there unattended. I also took off my leather gear and helmet, leaving it nearby my bike. Like seriously, no gates or walls blocking the entrance; it was like entering a palace which had no front door. My footsteps could be heard echoing through the rest of the castle. Man, it was eerily quiet inside; quiet and dark. The only light was from the sun, and all windows had no glass on them. The staircase was particularly creepy with the only light seeping in through little slits. But I was in the sun soon enough.
I came out into what looked like an old chamber; maybe a chapel. Once outside, my hand lifted up to block the sunlight from my eyes. A soft, elated smile blossomed across my lips as I gazed upwards. Ah, this was glorious- I utterly adore old ruins like this. There's a place in my heart for such remains. And the best was yet to come.
Somehow, I found the staircase leading up to the top wall of the fortress. My eyes lit up with delight at the sight of something not so far out in front of me. Yes! Gargoyle statues! These ones were beautiful too, and so close to the wall's edge, I could approach them. Six figures down here; all male, I think. A couple were large, one small and slim, and one tall and lanky with longish hair. They were all facing out towards the valley overseeing the castle on the back side. I studied each of them intently, wearing this cheesy grin the whole time. I was on the big one when I finally noticed the seventh statue right above us.
My eyes grew and I knew I had to get a closer look. Somehow- don't ask me how, I doubt I could do it again- I made it up there where the largest stone entity preceded. Wow! Talk about a stunning statue. I walked over, resting my hand up against his cool, grey stone cheek. Long hair and gigantic wings, and let's not mention his muscular build. What a handsome piece of artwork- they all were. "You've done a fantastic job guarding this castle," I then patted his big arm and headed back down to the wall where the other gargoyles were stationed. It was pretty high up here, with a steep ledge just on the other side of this wall leading right down to the North Sea. Looked like a pretty far fall; I made sure to stay a safe distance from the edge. But I stopped for a moment to soak in the view and the essence of where I was.
My eyes shut briefly as I drew in a deep breath. What an amazing find; I can't believe how lucky I am. And yet… for some strange reason, I can't help but feel like I've been here before. I know, I know; that's silly, I've clearly never been here before. But there was this underlying connection, and I felt it the moment I looked at the gargoyles… again, for some reason. "Ah, I'm just being crazy," I turned to head back down the stairs. In reality, there was nothing tying me to this castle. I just loved it, that's all.
Or so I thought.
I could have sworn I heard something as I headed for the staircase. I should mention that it was darker out now, so I couldn't see too well; I'd spent the entire day wandering aimlessly around here, and I didn't even see all of it yet. The sun was setting, so there was still a bit of light; not much but enough so I could make out big, basic shapes. I peered over my shoulder to see only gargoyle sculptures behind me; nothing out of the ordinary. But then I heard it again, this sort of cracking, crumbling sound. It sounded like something scratching on stone, to be honest. I watched for a moment longer, and that's when it all began. Everything started in those few moments when I glanced over my right shoulder.