The Inverted Castle Part 2: The Count
Part 1.
Previously that day…
*Lygron and Ibunet are buying their fur cloaks, boots, and mittens at a little frontier store made of logs at the foot of a mountain. The store is run by a scruffy old gopher man with a bushy mustache named Early*
Early: Where y'all headed?
Lygron: East, through the mountains.
Early: Through the mountains? That's a dangerous way to go, especially with a storm brewing. You're better off taking the south trail.
Ibunet: We can't go south, that'll take us a week to get around! We're kind of in a hurry.
Early: If you're going through the Ever Crests, then be careful. They say that trail is haunted. The lands used to belong to an ancient family of nobles, leather-wings they were, but they all died out a long time ago. They say their spirits still reside there, waiting to feast on unwary souls! Don't say I didn't warn you.
Lygron: Leather-wings? You mean a chiropteran? Don't think I've met one of them… Thanks for the furs old timer.
Presently, at the castle doors…
Ibunet: You think this belongs to that family of nobles? Looks run down… even for an upside down castle.
Lygron: Probably. Come one help me with the- *the massive doors open, the old wood creaking loudly. Lygron's fur stands on end* ...door?
Ibunet: Well, that was unsettling. *the wind picks up and she shivers* Don't care, need warmth NOW.
*the two enter the castle. Lygron turns just as the doors close, leaving them in darkness*
Lygron: Great, I can barely see.
Ibunet: So light a torch.
Lygron: You have the glowing staff, you light it up!
*the foyer is suddenly lit as the surrounding torche as set ablaze. They look around in wonder*
Ibunet: Uhhh… wasn't me.
???: Ah, guests…
*Lygron and Ibunet look up at the ceiling, which is just another floor. Hanging upside down is a chiropteran with a white body and flowing blood red hair, dressed in formal black clothes. The shirt exposes his sides, allowing his painted leather wings freedom of movement. He releases his foot claws and silently glides down, landing into a bow as his cape falls to the floor behind him*
???: Greetings, weary travelers. I am Count Melchia, and welcome to my humble abode. *he raises his head and smiles, his sharp fangs exposed and his red eyes shimmering* It's been so long since I've had visitors, and just in time for dinner...
