After we finished exploring the first and second floors of the castle, we climbed to the third and final level through a narrow spiral stone staircase that reeked of old dampness. The ascent was a bit tiring, especially after the long tour, but our curiosity about what this floor held drove us to climb without hesitation.
We finally reached the top, and before our eyes unfolded a breathtaking sight we hadn't expected. The third floor was actually a wide rooftop surrounded by low stone walls topped with black iron railings adorned with strange engravings that resembled ancient seals. From this high vantage point, we could see the entire area surrounding the castle—the dense trees encircling it from all sides, and the mountains rising in the distance like natural walls that had guarded the castle for centuries.
The air up there was fresh, a mix of the night's chill and the lingering warmth of the day. The sky had started to shift into hues of orange and gold with the approaching sunset, casting a magical glow that made the silence feel even deeper.
We wandered around the rooftop for a while, each of us absorbed in a different view—some stared at the horizon, others looked down at the castle's inner garden clearly visible from above. The rooftop felt like a real observation hall, a perfect place to spot anything approaching or circling the castle.
After a few moments of awe and quiet, we decided to go back down. We returned to the first floor, where the old man stood waiting for us calmly, his eyes following our steps as if he had been studying our reactions since the beginning of the tour.
The old man spoke in a quiet but serious tone:
"Well, now that you've finished the tour, it's time to tell you about the mission you came here for."
He paused for a moment, then continued, looking at us all with his tired eyes:
"Since there are ten of you, you will be divided into two groups: five of you will guard Lord Valis during the day, and the other five during the night. Each of you will have a specific area to watch over with precision, to ensure that no threat can sneak in from any direction."
He fell silent for a moment, then turned to the employer and said:
"Andrew, you know them better than I do. Assign each of them to their station—you understand their strengths and experience."
The employer nodded and stepped forward, his tone stern:
"You heard him. I will now assign each of you to your designated post. Listen carefully."
He examined our faces one by one, then continued:
"Luxian, Knox, Tyros, and Marcus… you will be responsible for the third floor, the highest and most crucial level since it provides a wide view of the castle surroundings."
He gestured upward as if already issuing the order, then continued in an orderly tone:
"Knox and Marcus, you will handle the daytime shift. You'll alternate positions every six hours to stay alert. Tyros and Luxian, the night belongs to you. You'll rotate for twelve hours as well."
He gave us a look that carried both seriousness and trust, then added:
"The third floor is no ordinary place. It is the first line of defense against any outside threat. Your responsibility is immense, and any lapse may endanger the lord's life. Be worthy of the task."
At that moment, I felt like something hidden lay behind the obvious. Maybe the rooftop was just the beginning of what we were about to face... and perhaps, as the old man hinted more than once, the real secrets only began after the tour.
The employer took a short breath, then continued in his firm voice:
"Cairo, Serion, Kalster, and I will guard the first floor, since enemies may attempt to breach it at any moment. We'll rotate shifts, just as mentioned. Serion and I will cover the daytime hours, while Kalster and Cairo will handle the night."
He paused briefly to make sure everyone was following, then looked directly at me, and his voice carried a particular weight:
"As for the two of you left... you will guard the second floor. Zairos will take the day shift, and you... will take the night."
In that moment, everything around me fell silent, as if the entire hall had paused.
The night? Alone? For twelve hours?
It felt like a heavy stone dropped onto my chest. A strange tightness gripped my throat, and the air seemed heavier than it should. I glanced toward the second floor, even though I couldn't see it now. I pictured it in my mind: long corridors, oppressive silence, old walls carrying the scent of dust and dampness... and shadows. So many shadows.
Then I muttered to myself, half-mocking:
"Of course... who else would he choose to guard during the scariest hours? I expected at least someone to be assigned with me."
But soon, worry crept into me like cold smoke, and questions began to swirl through my mind:
Would I really be alone? What if something happened? Who would come to help? What if the enemy crept in from where I couldn't see? Would I scream? Run? Fight?
This wasn't just a guard duty for me. It was a real test of courage... or perhaps, a test of whether I could hold myself together in the face of the unknown.
I looked at Zairos, who seemed calm—no words, no expression, as if none of this concerned him. Maybe because daytime duty didn't carry the quiet terror that the night did.
I didn't say a word. Not because I was brave, or because I agreed... but because I didn't have the luxury to object.
I simply nodded slightly, as if to accept it, while deep down... I was just afraid.