Читать книгу The Oyxia Chronicles: Shadow of Lorian - - Страница 4

As Elissa stepped inside, she was immediately wrapped in a sense of living warmth – not scorching, but enveloping, like the breath of ancient flame.

The hall was enormous, its sheer size overwhelming the imagination. A high, domed ceiling was supported by massive columns carved with scenes from the history of the Castle of Fire: battles between mages, the taming of dragons, the creation of the first great spells. Every pattern, every symbol was more than decoration – it was a fragment of magical heritage.

At the very center of the ceiling hung a magical chandelier – the flaming heart of the hall. It was no ordinary source of light, but living magic bound into dancing tongues of fire. By day, it shone with a soft golden glow, like sunlight breaking through clouds; by night, its light deepened to a rich crimson, casting flickering shadows across the walls.

The walls themselves were adorned with ancient runes carved into black stone. Most of the time they were barely visible, but the moment someone spoke an incantation or began a ritual, the runes flared bright red, sending thin lines of fire racing through the hall, weaving into intricate patterns.

The floor was smooth volcanic glass, like cooled lava that still held a trace of heat. Thin golden veins ran across its surface, forming mysterious symbols that faded and reappeared as if breathing with the hall.

At the far end of the hall, upon a raised dais, stood a throne – the symbol of the Castle of Fire’s authority. Massive and imposing, it was forged from melted metal and obsidian, black as night, laced with veins of glowing copper. Even from a distance, Elissa could feel the warmth radiating from it, as though true flame was sealed within.

Behind the throne towered a gigantic ring of fire – the sigil of Lorian. It burned endlessly, never dimming, its flames shifting through every shade of fire: from sun-gold to deep carmine. In it, the essence of the castle was reflected – greatness, passion, destruction, and creation.

When Elissa took a few steps forward, her own reflection flashed in the glassy surface at her feet, while above her the light of the magical fire trembled. She felt very small in this place of history, power, and secret knowledge.

The crowd of students slowly spread out across the hall, but Elissa still lingered at the edge, as if hoping to blend into the stone wall. The fiery runes pulsed softly, bathing her face in warm light. She studied the hall carefully, trying not to look too lost.

“Are you new?” a voice asked suddenly beside her.

Elissa flinched and turned. In front of her stood a tall young man with chestnut hair threaded with golden reflections from the torches, as if flame itself had tangled there. He smiled openly and kindly, his amber eyes alight with curiosity.

“My name is Kaylen. Welcome to Lorian.” He held out a hand, waiting for her response.

Elissa hesitated for a moment, then took his hand. Warmth. He radiated a cozy, soothing heat – like a hearth on a winter night.

“Thank you. I’m Elissa.”

“Elissa,” he repeated, tilting his head slightly, as though tasting the name. “Nice name. Have you had a chance to look around yet?”

“I… haven’t really,” she admitted, feeling a tight knot of uncertainty in her chest.

“Then come on!” Kaylen waved, inviting her to follow. “I’ve been here a week already, so I know where the most interesting corners are hidden.”

Elissa took a hesitant step forward, then stopped, suddenly unsure.

“Are new students even allowed to wander around the castle freely?” she asked cautiously.

“Well…” Kaylen’s mouth curved into a sly grin. “Formally – no. But if no one sees us, then why not?”

He winked, and Elissa realized he was far from the most obedient student in Lorian.

“And by the way,” he added, fishing something out of his pocket, “have you heard about the Song of Flame?”

“The Song of… what?”

“Oh, then you definitely need to know! It’s our school of magic. There’s so much to learn there!” He opened his palm, revealing a copper amulet covered in mesmerizing patterns. “This is my latest work. It can store magical energy. Want me to show you how it works?”

Elissa hesitated. All around her were new faces, strict instructors, unfamiliar rules… But there was such lively, genuine enthusiasm in Kaylen’s voice that she suddenly wanted to forget everything for a moment and just see what he would do.

She nodded. “Sure.”

Kaylen smiled with satisfaction and raised the amulet toward the blazing runes on the wall.

The amulet flared with violet fire; tongues of flame licked the stone – and nothing happened. The castle’s magical defenses held firm.

Kaylen narrowed his eyes in displeasure, turning the amulet over in his hands.

“Hm… I was hoping for something a bit more dramatic,” he muttered, holding it up to the runes again.

The violet flame flashed once more, but as soon as it brushed the wall, it simply vanished, dissolving into the air. The castle’s wards did not so much as flicker.

“Not bad,” Elissa said thoughtfully, watching. “But you didn’t really think you could affect Lorian’s spellwork, did you?”

Kaylen smirked, slipping the amulet back into his pocket.

“Of course not. I was just testing how strong the defenses are. Besides, you don’t actually want me to show you all my tricks right away, do you?”

Elissa’s lips curved in the faintest smile. She was now certain of one thing – life with this boy around would not be dull.

“So, how about that tour?” he asked, stepping away from the wall. “I promise it gets more interesting from here.”

Elissa hesitated for just a moment, but when she met his confident gaze, she finally stepped forward.

“All right. Lead the way.”

Kaylen nodded, pleased, and headed toward the exit of the hall, guiding her deeper into the castle.

“Then let’s go!” he called, motioning for her to follow.

She lingered for a heartbeat, glancing around. The Great Hall of Lorian was magnificent, almost overwhelming in its scale. The blazing ring behind the throne cast uneven reflections of fire across the walls, and the runes in the stonework shimmered as if alive.

“Where are we going?” Elissa asked, catching up with him.

“First I’ll show you the Ritual Amphitheater. That’s where the most spectacular duels take place!” Excitement flashed in his eyes. “Anyway, it’s one of the main places for mages of Lorian. At least, that’s what the senior students told me.”

They passed through the massive doors of the Great Hall and entered a wide corridor leading toward the Ritual Amphitheater. The air here was hotter than in the hall, as though the breath of the earth seeped through the walls. The floor trembled faintly underfoot with the distant roar of flames.

When they reached the amphitheater, an impressive sight opened before Elissa. It was a vast open-air arena, surrounded by a ring of solidified lava. It seemed to flow slowly, pulsing with inner light, amplifying the magic worked there. In the center of the arena, she saw marks of scorched patterns – ritual sigils left by past duelists.

“This is where mages face their trials and train for battle,” Kaylen explained. “The fire here isn’t just scenery, it’s… alive. Feel it.”

Elissa knelt and touched the ground with her fingertips. A vibration ran up her hand, and for a moment it felt as though a spark flashed beneath her skin.

She jerked her hand back. “Wow…” she breathed.

Kaylen chuckled. “Get used to it. Lorian is full of surprises.”

He glanced at the soaring magical towers and then back at her.

“Want to see the ‘Flame of Destruction’? That’s the battle magic tower. I think you’ll like it!” he suggested.

Elissa hesitated for only a heartbeat and then nodded, feeling her heart quicken again. She was about to discover Lorian – and her path was only beginning.

She had just opened her mouth to answer when a stern voice cut in beside them:

“You two – new students?”

They turned. A tall mage was approaching, clad in dark red robes embroidered with golden runes. His sharp gaze slid over them both, lingering on Kaylen, who scratched the back of his head in guilty reflex.

“Why are you wandering the castle?” the mage continued. “The Trial of Fire is about to begin. Get back to the Great Hall, now.”

Kaylen tensed at once. “The trial… already? But we were told it would be in three days!”

“It begins now. And if you wish to remain in Lorian, you would be wise not to be late.” The mage fixed them with a piercing stare and folded his arms. “Besides, the amphitheater is no longer in use – it was closed by order of Lord Helion, the Lord of the Castle. After seven mages died during a training duel. An unacceptable loss.”

Elissa felt her throat go dry. Her fingers clenched into a fist. She had just arrived at the castle – and they were already throwing her into a trial?

Kaylen cast her a quick glance, then looked back at the mage.

“All right, we’re going!”

They broke into a run, racing back through Lorian’s corridors. The heat of the walls, the pulsing magic, the glow of lanterns – all of it blurred into a single whirl around them.

When they burst back into the Great Hall, dozens of students had already gathered. Voices murmured throughout the hall as everyone waited for the trial to begin. On the dais before Lord Helion’s throne stood several instructor-mages. One of them stepped forward, raised his hand, and his voice rolled through the hall like thunder:

“Newcomers! Welcome to the Trial of Fire. Today, you will prove whether you are worthy of becoming part of Lorian!”

Elissa felt a strange, conflicting emotion flare within her – fear… and excitement.

The trial had begun.