The inside of the castle was impossibly vast.
Towering stone walls stretched so high I could picture Lila's full dragon form curling around them with room to spare.
Each step echoed softly, swallowed by the grandeur, while the air carried the heavy scent of centuries-old stone and faint dust, like the place itself was breathing.
We all fell silent, struck dumb by the scale.
Even the usual chatter died as the castle seemed to demand our awe.
Lila landed ahead, scales catching the dim torchlight.
I stepped closer.
"Do you know where the vault is?" I asked quietly.
"To collect our payment for… saving you?"
Her mouth curved in what might have been amusement.
"Follow me," she said simply, turning down a long corridor.
Her steps were surprisingly light for a dragon.
We trailed her through twisting passages, past rooms that seemed to stretch forever.
Ancient statues lined the walls, kings and warriors frozen in stone, while faded paintings watched us pass.
