The instant High Scholar Emeris ushered him forward, Ryuk felt the pressure that had been assaulting him fade away.
Yet, as he took a single step forward, waves of energy assaulted every inch of his body.
They entered even through his clothes, as if searching for something. They roamed in and out with every single step that he took.
The guards were all front-facing, not turning their heads at all, even as Ryuk looked at some of them.
They were like robots, but he knew that if he made a single action other than walking, he would most likely be on the ground faster than he could comprehend.
STEP
CLANK
The sound of his footsteps and his staff hitting the ground echoed through the chamber as he and High Scholar Emeris continued their walk in silence.
Soon, they reached the end of the gate, and Ryuk watched as the two guards bowed their heads slightly to High Scholar Emeris.
Then, both of their huge hands—each one large enough to completely cover Ryuk's body—pressed gently onto the door and pushed it open, leaving the space before them wide.
High Scholar Emeris took the first step within, and he followed, only to feel the scorching gaze of the guards pressing on him right after.
Ryuk could swear that was the most threatening look he had ever seen in his life.
A look that told him they wouldn't hesitate to instantly end him if he dared cause a single ounce of chaos within.
The look was brief, and he had entered the gate, with both guards closing it behind him.
Unconsciously, he heaved out loud with eyes closed, then snapped them open when he felt the pin-drop silence that followed.
The noise and talk he had clearly heard before stepping through the gate had paused, and his eyes slowly opened up, taking in the sight before him.
It was a simple throne room, the ground made of the same material as the glass covering the entire palace, along with the same silvery runic lines on the wall.
At the end of it, there were two thrones—one slightly larger than the other.
The first throne was grand and imposing, and sitting on it was a man who was beyond handsome.
A man fully covered in silvery runic lines mixed in with slight sashes of gold, looking more like an immortal being than a mortal.
He sat calmly on his throne, his eyes softening at the sight of—
No, not me. He was looking at High Scholar Emeris.
Beside him, there was a throne about a meter lower than his, and there sat a woman.
A woman?
No, "an immortal fairy" would be the right word.
She was dark in complexion, with long luscious dark hair that flowed like a waterfall behind her and down her shoulders.
She sat calmly beside the man, her face flashing the same pleased expression as she also looked at—
No, she too was looking at High Scholar Emeris.
He was the one taking all the spotlight.
In a circle around the throne room was a circular seat where a total of five other people were seated.
To the Queen's side was another long circular seat where another group of five—this time females—were also sitting.
'Those should be the Elders.'
'A King, along with his Queen, and a total of five male Elders who sit at the right of the King, and a tail of five female Elders who sit at the left of the Queen, making a total of twelve people.'
'But those Elders… they're looking straight at me,' Ryuk thought to himself.
Those spirited gazes were silently observing him from head to toe, but at least they weren't sending out energy waves and infiltrating beneath his clothes.
"And look who finally decided to join us in the Throne Room," the King said as he rose to his feet. His action was followed by the Elders and the Queen.
Before Ryuk could blink, the man was gone—and now a figure was standing just a few steps from High Scholar Emeris.
His body wrapped around him as he gave him a bear hug before whispering,
"Father."
"Oh, keep it together, King Auremis, lest your actions betray your image," High Scholar Emeris said as the King released him from his grasp—only to be picked up like a baby as High Scholar Emeris gave him an even larger hug, lifting him off the ground as if he weighed nothing but a leaf.
This resulted in tingling laughter amongst the Female Elders.
"Strong as ever, you are, Father," King Auremis complimented as he was laid back on the ground. High Scholar Emeris turned to look at the Queen, who stood by her throne.
"I have to let you know this, Elireth, but Auremis seems to have gained a lot of weight. He's getting too heavy for these old bones of mine."
"A sign you must be taking good care of him! Isn't that right, Elders?" High Scholar Emeris directed to the Elders, who could only nod as they looked at the Queen, who rolled her eyes at them.
"Fear not, Father. If I get fatter, it must only mean my palms are also getting bigger—big enough to contain my humongous blade and give me more power to cleave through the enemies of us Silverunics," he said, with a loud laugh that made High Scholar Emeris burst into a prideful laughter of his own.
"I believe in my King," he said before turning his attention to Ryuk.
"But today, my King, I am here to introduce you to him—the one who was brought in from the Seage Gates," he said, and all attention turned to Ryuk, who silently looked back at each of them.
"His name is Ryuk," the King said, his words raising the brow of everyone in the room.
"His name?"
The King walked over to Ryuk, his silvery eyes looking into his, watching as Ryuk blinked a couple of times.
Then he walked around Ryuk, his gaze scanning his body.
"Truly, his name. He seems to have a soul of his own. But I thought he was just a heap of metal, Father."