In Taira's Castle, the knight commander walked through the stone corridors with heavy steps. His armor clanked with each movement, the sound echoing off the cracked walls around him.
The castle was in bad shape. Cracks ran through the stone walls like spider webs, and many of the decorations that had once made the place look grand were now missing or broken. Years of defending against the Great Green Forest had taken their toll on both the building and the people who lived in it.
Still, the soldiers bowed respectfully as the knight commander passed by. He was acting as the Lord of Taira Castle now, responsible for everything that happened within these walls.
He stopped before a particular door and straightened his shoulders.
"My Lady," he called out formally. "Can I enter?"
Instead of an answer, the door slowly opened by itself.
