Chapter 27 – The House of Madness
In the quiet of the forest, the knight Ignil, Hans, jink ,and Caty stood still in the middle of the forest.
The air was heavy, the silence tense like a waiting storm.
Robert broke the stillness. His voice cracked with pain of his failure.
"Let's go back… It's too late. He's already…"
Tears began to fall from his eyes, it's was tears of regret of all the moment he spend with silver all the moment he was need to teach him all the moment he needed to be kind.
Meanwhile, Silver stood before a towering statue in entrees of the temple, gazing at it with deep emotion.
"You've watched long enough," said Lolo, the masked one, his voice calm. "But now it's time to enter. You wiil always have time to watch. After all… this is your home from now on ."
Silver stepped forward, followed closely by Emily, Lily, and Lolo.
As he crossed the threshold, a long, dark gallery greeted him. For a moment, it seemed endless and empty—
Then, black flames began to float in the air, glowing like pieces of fire suspended in time, guiding his path forward.
Like Silver will one day guide the world to something better.
At the end of the gallery was a vast hall. In the center stood a young boy dressed in a sharp dark suit, with cat ears and a dark tail. His green eyes glowed in the dim light.
"I'm Niko," he said. "Nice to meet you again."
Silver blinked. "You… You're the voice from the fire… the one who saved me?"
"My boss is younger than me?" silver added, confused.
Lily stepped forward with a smug tone. "He may look young, but—"
"It's rude to mention someone's age in front of them," Niko cut in, smiling mischievously.
Lolo chuckled softly. "You'll understand when you reach a higher level in the art of Black Flame Oneness."
"Welcome," Niko said with a theatrical bow, "to the House of Madness—the third house of the Chaos Seekers. I'm the leader. Niko."
Silver looked around. "It's just us in the house?"
With a proud, almost arrogant voice, Lily said, "The House of Madness is unique among the Chaos Seekers. We don't need many members. It's just me, Niko, Lolo… and now maybe you."
"That explains the ashes everywhere," Silver murmured.
Lily said nothing. She simply stared ahead in silence.
Niko raised a hand, and a flicker of black flame shot toward Silver's chest. The fire wrapped around his body—devouring him whole.
Silver gasped. For a moment, his entire being was engulfed.
Then, in a flash, the flames vanished—leaving no burns, no scars… only silence.
Lily smiled. "Congratulations. You're one of us now."
Silver's heart pounded. "So that's why there's so much ash…"
Lolo, in a gentle voice, explained, "You must be approved by the Black Flames. Only those who are chosen by them can become one of us."
"It's different from the others chaos houses," Niko added. "They only see the flames with their eyes. But i… see the flames of the will ."
Silver smiled faintly. "I prefer this way. The eyes may change… but the will only grows stronger with time."
Niko looked at him and returned the smile.
Then he suddenly raised his voice, laughing.
"Among the Chaos Seekers—we will win!"
The hall echoed with laughter.
But the joy was quickly cut off by a voice from the shadows.
"In your dreams, old cat. I will win. The House of Freedom will rise."
Skotadi entered the hall.
"You're still too fresh to play rough," Niko replied with a grin.
"So, you've got new members now," Skotadi said, walking toward Silver. He studied him quietly.
Silver, now calm, let the black flames swirl gently around his fingers.
"You'll need time," Skotadi muttered.
"My good friend," Niko said warmly, "what brings you here?"
"I was just passing by and saw the temple," Skotadi answered with a sly tone.
Lolo tilted his head. "I thought you came for information about the kingdom future."
Skotadi smirked. "Was it that obvious?"
Niko chuckled. "You are always predictable. But the meeting was canceled. You'll have to wait a bit longer."
Skotadi sat across from Niko, his expression serious.
"You've grown… impressive," Niko said.
"We need to talk," Skotadi replied. "I want the spell within the next four years. After I deal with the elf attack… I'll head to the kingdom."
At that moment, a tall red sickle appeared beside Skotadi Head—guided by Lolo.
Silver watched silently as the strange energy in the House of Madness grew deeper.