A echoing creak from somewhere in the depths of the castle puts you on edge. Despite the lighted torches, the castle had appeared deserted, and you had assumed maybe there was a caretaker of some sort. As no one appeared nearby when you shut the door, you figured they had retreated to their own quarters, or perhaps had left the premises entirely. While you had rather openly displayed your wings, you were still in the dark entryway, and hoped that no one would notice, at least until you could convincingly pull of the lie that the wings were costume props. However, the strange sound made you wonder if you truly were alone. Perhaps someone had seen you and closed a door or stepped on an old floorboard as they moved. Then again, it might just be a decrepit window shutter being pushed by the high winds.
Telling yourself you are being ridiculous, you decide to move forward and explore a bit, at least to find something to dry yourself off with, and perhaps some food and bedding. You are so tired, you fail to notice that the only footprints in the dust of the hall are your own, despite the lighted torches. From your limited knowledge of castles, you assume the higher floors will most likely house the bedrooms, and the lower floor may have a kitchen somewhere. While the apparent lack of electricity seems to not bode well in your search for food, a soft rumble from your stomach reminds you that you haven't eaten in hours, and your aerial activity of late did not help matters.
Nevertheless, you are wary about just opening random doors. To try to get some clue as to the layout of the castle, you decide to take a closer look at the ornamentation you can see in the hall, walking up to the foot of the stairs. The lightning outside gives you a clearer view of the stained-glass window, which glints with a sinister glow. The window obviously overlooks the outdoors, so you come to the conclusion that all of the rooms are in the two wings of the castle. You frown at the scene depicted in the window, wondering what sort of taste the inhabitants could have had to decorate their grand entrance in such a manner.
However, as you examine your surroundings, you realize that the rest of the hall is no better. The staircase bannisters, which looked relatively normal from a distance, are actually made up of half-human, half-snake creatures whose serpentine bodies wind up the stairs into the distance. Nagas, you remember they are called. While they don't look threatening, they're not exactly friendly looking either. The table legs and chairs are carved as well, with all matter of fantastical and mythological beast, plus a few you can't remember ever hearing of in any legend. Something shiny catches your eye, and you walk towards the right wall, awkwardly turning your body to dodge the decaying furniture. Laying on the seat each throne is a small circlet, delicate but ornate. One appears made of thorny wood, another of sharp ruby, the third of soft feathers, and the last of jagged coral. Frowning at the intricacy, you wonder if you've actually stumbled onto a movie set, because if the crowns before you are real, they would be worth a fortune.
As you turn away, you notice that the opposite wall has a large painting, which you cannot make out in the low light. Walking towards it, you lift a torch from its sconce in order to give yourself more light. Approaching the painting, you gasp involuntarily. The painting depicts a chaotic scene, filled with everything from demonic creatures to angelic beings, weak mortals to omnipotent gods. All of the individuals in the painting appeared to be involved in a massive battle or struggle, but over what, you are not sure. As you move closer and squint, you see in the very center of the painting appears to be a low circular structure made of stone, sitting on a slight hill. At first, you are not sure what it is, but something feels familair about it. It tickles at the corners of your brain. It looks...almost like...a we...
Suddenly, a frigid chill seems to pervade the room, causing the hair on the back of your neck to stand up and goosebumps to break out on your arms. You freeze, and have to work up the courage to turn around. When you do, at first, everything looks normal, albeit a bit darker due to the fact that one torch is now in your hand. However, as you look across from you into one of the open doors on the other wall, you see something. Deep in the darkness you stare at two points of light. Points which look eerily like eyes.
Trying to quiet your racing heart, you know you cannot just stand there. Steeling yourself, you decide to...