The view took her breath away. From this vantage point, she could see the vast forest that surrounded the castle. The dense canopy stretched out in all directions, a sea of green that seemed to go on forever. The sight was both beautiful and intimidating, a reminder of how isolated she was. Aurora leaned against the railing, the cool breeze calming her frayed nerves.
She stood there for a while longer, savoring the breeze and letting the tranquility of the moment wash over her. But as the minutes ticked by, the exhaustion from the day's events began to weigh heavily on her. Despite the sky still being light, she felt an overwhelming drowsiness settle in. Aurora sank to the floor, curling up against the balcony, her body pressed against the cold stone. Closing her eyes, she succumbed to the fatigue, and in that uncomfortable position, she drifted into a deep sleep.
While Aurora slept, the necromancer pondered his next moves. 'How should I proceed with my plans?' he mused, his thoughts shifting to the princess he had revived. She was crucial to his schemes, yet her beauty had caught him off guard. 'And why was she crying?' The question lingered in his mind, an enigma he found unexpectedly intriguing.
Deciding to set aside his curiosity for the time being, he focused on a more immediate task: restoring the castle. The throne room, as the seat of his future power, deserved special attention. With a wave of his hand, he summoned his magic, channeling it into the walls. The skeletal minions had already begun clearing the debris, and now, with additional materials drawn from the same mysterious source that had produced Aurora's dress, he started to repair the damage.
The walls, floor, and ceiling gradually reformed, holes closing and structures strengthening. Intricate patterns of dark material, interspersed with glowing gems, adorned the newly restored surfaces. He took his time, ensuring every detail exuded both majesty and menace. The throne room was now decorated with elaborate tapestries and statues depicting dark mythical creatures. A gigantic three-headed dog and a dragon with nine long necks, each bearing a different head, flanked the throne. The pillars were reinforced and adorned with the same dark material, creating a cohesive, imposing aesthetic.
Illumination came not from the gaps in the walls but from a river of lava that flowed around the perimeter of the room. The molten stream provided a hauntingly beautiful light, casting eerie shadows that enhanced the room's intimidating atmosphere.
Satisfied with his work in the throne room, the necromancer moved on to the rest of the first floor. He walked slowly, carefully orchestrating the magic needed for the extensive repairs. Skeletons followed in his wake, diligently cleaning up the remaining debris and organizing piles of rusted weapons and armor. A dark mist spread across the floor, lingering at ankle height. Any skeletal remains it touched began to reassemble, rising to join the workforce.
As he progressed, the castle gradually began to reclaim its former glory, though with a distinctly ominous twist. The necromancer's influence was evident in every shadowy corner, every darkened hallway. He was creating a fortress fit for a ruler of the dead, a place where he could execute his plans and hold dominion over his resurrected subjects.
As he moved through the castle, he came upon the statues of dragons that had intrigued Aurora. These statues were remarkably well-preserved, their intricate details still visible despite the centuries of neglect. The necromancer paused, examining them closely.
'Why are these statues so well-preserved?' he thought, considering the possibilities. 'Perhaps the material they were crafted from is exceptionally resilient, designed to withstand the ravages of time.' He dismissed this idea quickly; even the most resilient materials should show more signs of wear in this environment.
'Could it be that a protective enchantment was placed on them?' he mused. 'But who would have cast such a powerful spell, and why? There are no traces of lingering magic in this part of the castle.'
Finally, he contemplated a third possibility. 'Maybe the statues themselves are not just decorations but have a deeper connection to the castle's magic. If they were created with a purpose linked to the castle's mana, they might be drawing power from it to maintain their form.'
Pondering these thoughts, the necromancer extended his hand and touched one of the statues gently. A dark purple light emanated from his hand, gradually dimming as he maintained contact. After a few moments, he withdrew his hand, a look of surprise crossing his face. 'Is this statue absorbing my mana?' he wondered, a genuine smile spreading across his lips.
Realizing the potential of these statues, the necromancer's excitement grew. 'This will be perfect for my plans,' he thought, envisioning how he could harness their power. Satisfied, he turned back to his work, continuing the restoration with renewed vigor.
...
The morning sun rose, casting its light over the castle. Aurora awoke to the warm rays illuminating her face. She opened her eyes slowly, feeling the heaviness in her body dissipate after a surprisingly restful sleep. But as she remembered the necromancer's command, 'Return here tomorrow morning and kneel before the throne,' panic set in. She scrambled to her feet, her heart racing as she realized it was time.
Rushing toward the stairs, Aurora's thoughts were a whirlwind of worry. 'I hope the necromancer doesn't think I'm late,' she fretted. As she descended, she caught a glimpse of herself and paused. Her face was slightly creased from sleeping against the stone, and her hair was disheveled. She took a moment to smooth her hair and pat her face, trying to look as presentable as possible.
However, when she reached the first floor, she noticed a stark difference. The grand hall, which had been in ruins the night before, was now immaculate. The windows that had once been mere holes in the walls were now filled with intricate stained glass depicting creatures of the undead—skeletons, zombies, vampires, and various demons. The dark purple hues of the glass contrasted with the sunlight streaming through, casting eerie, beautiful patterns on the pristine black floor. A rich red carpet connected the staircase to the various doors leading out of the hall.
'Where am I?' Aurora thought, bewildered by the transformation. The stark contrast between the ruined castle she had seen before and this restored grandeur left her feeling disoriented.