Kale had always been driven by a deep-seated need to protect his younger brother, Kile. When Kile had left to climb the Tower, his parting words—"I'm sorry"—had been brief but laden with emotion. At that moment, Kale had been overwhelmed by anger, not at Kile, but at himself. He felt an intense inadequacy, believing he was not skilled enough to climb alongside his brother. Every step Kile took away felt like a widening chasm in Kale's sense of self-worth.
Years earlier, when they were just children, their world had been a dangerous place. One fateful day, a powerful and malevolent individual attacked their village. The man was ruthless, seeking to cause chaos and destruction. In the midst of the chaos, Kale and Kile had found themselves in peril. The man's attacks were brutal and indiscriminate, targeting everyone in sight.
Kale, despite his young age, had always been fiercely protective of Kile. As the man advanced on them, Kale knew he had to act. With little regard for his own safety, Kale threw himself into the fray, determined to shield his brother from harm. The fight was fierce. Kale was barely able to hold his own against the man's relentless assault. The pain was excruciating, but Kale's resolve never wavered. He took blow after blow, each one a reminder of his own vulnerability but also of his unwavering love for Kile.
In a desperate bid to buy Kile time to escape, Kale had lunged at the attacker with a burst of energy, managing to momentarily distract him. The man's attention shifted, and in that precious moment, Kile had fled to safety. Kale's own strength was waning, and as the man's attacks finally overwhelmed him, darkness began to encroach on his vision. He collapsed, his last thoughts focused on whether his sacrifice had ensured Kile's survival.
Kale awoke later in the village's makeshift infirmary, his body bruised and battered. He had survived, but his injuries were severe. His only comfort was knowing that Kile had been saved. The experience forged an unbreakable bond between them, even as Kile's ambition drove him to leave and climb the Tower.
Years passed, and Kale's world became a series of regrets and missed opportunities. Trapped on the same forsaken floor of the Tower, he had long since abandoned his own dreams of climbing. Yet, he found solace in Kile's success. Kile was his only family, and despite his own failures, Kale had kept in touch, sharing in his brother's accomplishments from afar.
The day arrived when Kile's achievements reached their zenith. It was Kile's birthday, and he had invited Kale to an event on the 1st floor—a rare honor. Kale had even taken out a loan from the Magic Tower to buy a gift worthy of Kile's success. In response, Kile had sent Kale a lavish dress, one that could have repaid the loan many times over.
The party was magnificent. The hall was decorated with opulent grandeur, and Mana stones illuminated the fireworks—a testament to Kile's status as the God of War. Legends and titans mingled, their presence both awe-inspiring and intimidating. Kale felt a fleeting sense of belonging among them.
When Kile took the stage, the room fell silent. "Thank you all for coming," Kile began, his voice commanding attention. "Today is a day of immense significance for me. I have finally achieved recognition as a god. But I did not reach this pinnacle alone. I want to honor those who made this possible."
He named influential figures—Annie Creast, MT Steven, Chris Brath.
And then, he called out Kale's name.
As Kale approached the stage, the weight of countless eyes upon him was almost palpable. The crowd's expressions ranged from disdain to outright contempt, their whispers of disbelief and judgment piercing through the air. Kale, accustomed to such stares, focused only on Kile's reaction.
Kile's expression was colder than Kale had anticipated. It wasn't mere disdain—it was a chilling detachment. Holding a check in his hand, Kile approached Kale. "From this moment on," he said, his voice cold and final, "you and I are no longer brothers. I'm sorry, but I cannot afford to be associated with someone as weak as you. You are a blemish on my reputation, and this—" he gestured to the check "—represents every coin you ever spent on me. Our debts are settled."
The words struck Kale like a physical blow. It felt as though the ground had crumbled beneath him, leaving him in a pit of anguish. The betrayal was profound, the brother he had protected and sacrificed for was now casting him aside with cold finality.
Tears burned behind Kale's eyes as the crowd's murmurs grew louder, a cacophony of judgment that pierced through his grief. His throat tightened, struggling to maintain his composure.
Amidst the chaos, Kale heard it—a faint, almost inaudible whisper. It was Kile's voice, carrying a weight of sorrow and regret. "To know the truth," Kile whispered, "Climb the Tower...I am sorry."
The words were a cruel twist of fate, a promise wrapped in a heartbreaking apology. Kale could barely grasp their meaning through his anguish, but one thing was clear: he had to climb the Tower once more. Not just for himself, but for the truth Kile had left behind.
Kale's heart was heavy with sorrow, but his spirit was ignited by fierce determination. The Tower awaited him, and with it, the answers he so desperately needed