Chapter 5
It only took the group about an hour to get to Shinzokumo. They were also aided buy the fact that Pixie Knight and Dreamsprite could fly, and that Mystical Elf chanted a simple spell to move faster without getting tired. Once they arrived, they were amazed at the differences between the cities. Whereas Takakumo was always bright and sunny, the second they stepped into the boundary of Shinzokumo it seemed as the very air around them had gotten darker. It was as if Shinzokumo was perpetually in a dark gloomy, day. Or would night be a more proper word? For it did seem as if it was late evening, when it was actually nearly noon.
"So where're we supposed to go?" asked Pixie Knight.
"The Castle of Magicians," replied Mystical Elf looking at a map, "it is where the Sorcerer of Dark Magic lives. He is the ruler of the town."
"Wow! Is that it?" inquired Dreamsprite, looking up at a huge castle, with at least seven spires towering into the sky. It appeared to made of Onyx and shined with the reflections of the dim streetlights.
"Yes," said Mystical Elf in awe of the building before her. It was enormous compared to the Kunisayama Shrine, which she had thought as quite large.
"A-allow me to go first, ladies," said Celtic Guardian, who then proceeded before them up the many steps to the main door. When he reached the top he knocked on the large doorknocker that was inscribed with unrecognizable symbols from an ancient time. The door then opened, apparently of it's own accord. The friends nervously stepped inside.
"Talk about creepy!" said Pixie Knight, "Reminds me of a haunted house."
"We are being watched," said Mystical Elf.
"W-what? B-by who? Where?" inquired Celtic Guardian nervously.
"It is all right, it is not an evil presence." And Mystical Elf began to lead them through an enormous hallway. She stopped in front of a door and cautiously opened it. Inside the room, stood a tall, muscular man in a sorcerer's outfit that was dark purple, almost black with a long black cape, who was holding a staff with a glowing blue orb at the end.
"Welcome travelers," he said with a deep voice, "I am the Sorcerer of Dark Magic and Ruler of this city."
Clang! As Celtic Guardian dropped his sword, "ooops, sorry. So, um, was it you who Mystical Elf sensed watching us?"
"Really? You could tell I was watching you?" said Sorcerer of Dark Magic, "well, I guess I shouldn't be surprised. I did ask for the strongest duel monsters that school of yours had. I hope I didn't worry you, but I have to keep a close watch on things, with all the deaths going on. I thank you very much for coming. I hope you can find what evil is behind this. In the meantime, you are welcome here as my honored guests. My sister, Magician's Valkyria, will show you to your rooms."
At that pronouncement a girl with long, light brown hair and a short blue, purple, and pink magician's costume walked in.
"Please come with me," Magician's Valkyria said, "I will take you too your rooms. You are free to go wherever you wish in the castle, or in town, but I warn you, be very careful."