D-117: Eden's Castle

Theme: Dark Creepy Castle

They were high, on what was something between a forest and a mountain. The wind blew aggressively through the trees, as if screaming that no one was to be up here. No one was supposed to be near the building that a light collared rider was going to. Eden shivered as the wind struck him again and he stumbled, almost slipping and sliding down the dangerously steep mountain forest. His hand reached out and closed around soft well kept fur and a surprisingly warm body pressed up against his own. When he steadied himself the figure did not move from his side, even when he let go and tried to walk again.

“I can walk on my own…I didn’t need your help…” The vernid grumbled and the creature accompanying him gave a little snort, as if to say, “Yeah, sure.” The creature was actually a gorgeous dragon that went by the name Azazel. He knew his rider was a difficult and prideful creature but he also knew that his rider was frail and sickly. Even if Eden didn’t want to admit it, he knew because he had been with his rider for quite some time.

‘Why are we venturing so far?’ The voice was soft and masculine and Eden almost didn’t answer but the dragon next to him gave a small nudge, encouraging an answer.

“I heard there was an old abandoned castle near here,” he paused for a moment before adding, “away from people.” Ah…there it was, the true reason the vernid was interested. Azazel did not question his rider further, instead he continued to act like the vernid’s crutch, while pretending he totally wasn’t acting like the vernid’s crutch.

The castle was indeed old and indeed abandoned, if you didn’t count the critters that inhabited the place of course. The wind that had been pestering them before was gone, as if it was too scared to echo its cries off the empty building. It wasn’t decrepit but it was clear the land was attempting to retake the lone structure. Eden hesitated when they reached the large old broken wood doors, covered in vines. Did he really want to go in there? He glanced at Azazel who he noticed was watching him from the corner of his eye and the vernid narrowed his own eyes and took the first step into the castle.

It was…creepy to say the least and yet the vernid seemed to not mind, in fact he looked at ease, like he was meant to be there. It was big and spacious, with many rooms and a big courtyard in the back and a garden in the middle. Yes, he would live here now, it needed a little work but it would do.