Àskériàn followed the dark winding staircase's decent. His first task as a knight was to help the research department, though he was never told what that entailed.

This part of the castle had little light. Then again not many knew of the hidden passage to even enter it.

Stone. That's what this part of the palace was made from. A very eerie contrast from the main and public part of the elaborate structure.

His lantern squeaked as he held it up, trying to see how much farther down he had left to go. Pale limelight highlighted his sharp jaw and high cheekbones. It did little to relieve the unease forming in his gut. He felt a presence with him, though he could not pinpoint its location.

"Ok, that's weird." He said to himself. Where is it? He asked himself as he glanced around. The enclosed surroundings were just that, narrow as heck. No cracks or crevices to hide in. Just open stairs and shadows.

It wasn't a menacing energy, but somehow he always knew where energies were, but not this one. It was as if it was coming from the shadows, as if it was one with them.

Not being able to locate his predator, Àskériàn took off running down the remaining steps. He placed his right hand against the pommel of his sword. Whatever it was that prowled through the dark would attack others, he would force it out and take it down.

Nearing the last step, a long corridor cascaded in dim light that trickled outward from angelic sconces greeted him. Stone columns dotted both sides of the corridor, casting deeper shadows down the long hall.

Six doors stood on each wall, unmarked. The hallway reminded him of an old mansion from his mother's old ghost stories. He began to wonder if he would run into one.

Stone statues stood guard by each door. Statues that resembled gargoyles. Their dark eyes seemed to track and follow him as he moved, burning their ever present gaze into his body.

Bam!

Heavy weight crashed down on Àskériàn, sending him tumbling to the cold floor, the sound of the impact echoed throughout the corridor.

“ Hello Àskériàn, we were waiting on you.” A young male voice whispered from the shadows, giving way to Àskériàn’s sharp hearing, allowing him to pinpoint the intruder’s location.

Rolling over and getting to his feet, Àskériàn drew his sword. The metalic scrape sliced through the dark.

"Just what are you, how did you get in the castle? And how do you know my name?!" He demanded, ready to face the intruder.

By his calculations, he was facing the winding stairwell which he had just came from. His lantern lay on the floor off to the side, thanks to the impact from whoever or whatever he was dealing with.

Àskériàn sucked in a lungful of dry air, despite this hallway being creepy it lacked the hand of decay. More like dust and cobwebs than mold and rot.

He released the breath he was holding and deep red flames escaped his mouth with it, illuminating the expanse before him, the light danced off the walls and beams.

A figure managed to dodge the attack, but not quick enough to escape Àskériàn's sight.

Wolf.

But it wasn't an ordinary wolf, Askerian could feel it from the ominous ability it had to hide in the shadows.

"That was close. I guess you really are one of the Ardent knights, just like they told me."

All at once the shadows receded and the hallway was doused in light, the flames from the sconces grew bigger. The statues were different under the change. Instead of gargoyles, there was a statue for each Ardent knight, Àskériàn assumed as he took in the familiar forms of Rain and Seraphina.

"Sorry. It's my job to keep out trespassers."

What Àskériàn saw next was not what he anticipated. A young boy, probably in his mid-teen years, stepped out from behind a stone column.

He was shirtless, showing off a muscular build and tan skin. Taggard black shorts hung to his lower half. His feet were bare also. His facial features were sharp despite his age. A set of black furred ears twitched in amusement on his head, while a fluffy black tail wagged behind him. Fur the same color as his scruffy hair.

Deep Violet eyes sized Àskériàn up and down before resting on his own gaze.

"Mhhhhh." Àskériàn said in an irritated voice. "If you are going to greet people, then do it in a different way, and if it's me, NEVER do that again. I could have killed you." He said angrily. "I thought were a threat."

"A threat?" The boy said tilting his head. "I'm only a threat to those who sneak in here."

Àskériàn's nostrils flared. "I wouldn't dare. I was given... told."

The boy threw his head back and bellowed, a sound that filled the long corridor, a warmth that cleared any remnants of omen that once blanket the hall.

"I'm Ace. I know why you're here Sir Àskériàn, I was just testing you. Even those who are new to the Ardent Table must pass my test before being allowed passage. " The wolf spoke, mischief filled his eyes.

"What kind of test?" Àskériàn huffed.

"You already passed." The human-wolf grinned, a big grin that stretched across his face. "You were able to sense my presence within the shadows and you attacked with calculation. A true knight, worthy of passage." With that he dipped in a bow.

“Who are you?”

Another big smile overtook the stranger’s face. “I am Ace. Shadow guardian of the inner Chambers of castle Celeste, appointed by the Ardent knights. “ He said with a salute.

Àskériàn was taken aback. Noone had bowed to him since.... No, he wouldn't tread down those memories. It seemed being a knight of the Ardent Table had its perks.

Ace straightened. "Now then, follow me. The research department awaits."