The air was thick with tension as Ethan and Aria approached the watchtower. Its stone walls stood tall and imposing, covered in vines and moss, the structure seemingly abandoned for ages. Yet, the flickering light they had seen from the village hinted at something—or someone—using the watchtower, and the uncertainty gnawed at Ethan's nerves.
The entrance was an old wooden door, the hinges rusted, and it looked like it could collapse at any moment. Aria pressed her ear against the wood, her eyes closed as she listened for any sound from within. After a moment, she opened her eyes and nodded at Ethan.
"It's quiet," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "But that doesn't mean it's empty."
Ethan nodded, his hand resting on the mark on his arm, feeling the familiar warmth of the Ascendant's Gift flowing through him. He pushed the door slowly, wincing as it let out a low groan, the sound echoing off the stone walls. The interior of the watchtower was dark, the only light coming from a dim lantern hanging from a rusted hook near the far wall.
They stepped inside, their eyes adjusting to the gloom. The room was sparse—an empty space with a stone staircase spiraling upwards along the wall. Dust and cobwebs covered almost every surface, the air thick with the scent of mildew. Ethan's eyes flicked around the room, looking for any sign of movement, any hint that they weren't alone.
Aria gestured towards the staircase, her eyes meeting Ethan's. "We go up?"
Ethan nodded, and they began their ascent, their footsteps light on the worn stone steps. The higher they climbed, the more oppressive the air seemed to become, the narrow staircase making Ethan feel trapped. He could hear his own breathing, the sound echoing softly in the confined space.
They reached the second level, and Ethan paused, his eyes widening. The room they stepped into was filled with an assortment of strange items—crates stacked against the walls, a table covered in maps and parchment, and in the center of it all, a figure hunched over, their back to them.
The figure wore a tattered cloak, the hood pulled up, obscuring their face. They didn't seem to have noticed Ethan and Aria, their attention focused entirely on the table in front of them. Ethan could see a map spread across the surface, marked with symbols and lines that looked similar to the marks on his arm.
Aria raised her dagger, her eyes narrowing as she took a step forward. Ethan reached out, grabbing her wrist and shaking his head. They didn't know who this person was or what they were doing here. He wanted to avoid a fight if they could.
"Hey," Ethan said, his voice firm but not aggressive. "Who are you?"
The figure stiffened, their head turning slightly, as if trying to listen. Slowly, they straightened, turning to face them, and Ethan felt his breath catch in his throat. The hood fell back, revealing a young man with strikingly pale skin and eyes that seemed to glow with an eerie light.
"Well, well," the man said, his voice smooth and almost amused. "More participants. I was wondering when someone would show up."
Ethan felt a chill run down his spine. The man's eyes were cold, his gaze piercing, and there was something about him that set Ethan on edge. He tightened his grip on the energy of the Ascendant's Gift, ready to use it if needed.
"We're just here to check things out," Aria said, her dagger still raised. "We don't want any trouble."
The man chuckled, taking a step closer. "Trouble? Oh, there's always trouble in this place. But perhaps we don't need to fight—at least, not yet." He gestured to the table, his eyes still locked on Ethan. "You're curious, aren't you? About all of this."
Ethan glanced at the maps on the table, then back at the man. "Who are you? What are you doing here?"
The man tilted his head, a faint smile playing on his lips. "I'm like you—one of the chosen, marked by the Conquest. My name is Kael. And as for what I'm doing..." He trailed off, his eyes flicking to the maps. "Let's just say I'm trying to understand the game we're all playing."
Aria took a step forward, her expression hard. "And what do you know about it?"
Kael's smile widened, though it didn't reach his eyes. "More than most, I imagine. This place—the High Continent—it's not just a trial. It's a battleground, a test of strength, will, and cunning. The marks we bear are keys, tools given to us to survive and, perhaps, to win. But the game is far more complex than you might think."
Ethan frowned, stepping closer to the table, his eyes scanning the maps. They were covered in symbols—some he recognized from the resonance point they had found earlier, others that were unfamiliar. Lines connected different locations, with notes scribbled in a language he didn't understand.
Kael watched him, his eyes glinting. "There are places in this world—points of power, hidden secrets—that can give us an edge. The resonance points you've seen are just the beginning. If you want to survive, if you want to win, you'll need to find them, to unlock their secrets."
Ethan looked at Aria, who was watching Kael warily. He could tell she didn't trust him, and truthfully, neither did he. But Kael seemed to know more about the High Continent than anyone they had met so far, and if he could help them understand what they were up against, it might be worth the risk.
"What do you want?" Ethan asked, his voice cautious.
Kael's smile faded, his expression turning serious. "Allies. The Conquest is not something you can win alone. We need strength, numbers, if we're going to make it through this. I've seen others—some are dangerous, others simply desperate. But you two... I think we could help each other."
Aria narrowed her eyes, her dagger still raised. "And why should we trust you?"
Kael shrugged, his gaze unwavering. "You shouldn't. Trust is a dangerous thing in this place. But I think you'll find that, for now, our goals align. We want to survive, to grow stronger. And I think together, we stand a better chance."
Ethan hesitated, his mind racing. Kael was right—trust was dangerous, especially here. But they needed allies, and Kael seemed to know things that could help them. He looked at Aria, who met his gaze, her eyes filled with uncertainty.
"What do you think?" Ethan asked, his voice low.
Aria glanced at Kael, then back at Ethan. She let out a sigh, lowering her dagger slightly. "I don't like it. But we need information. We need allies."
Ethan nodded, turning back to Kael. "Alright. We'll work together—for now. But if you cross us..."
Kael's smile returned, and he raised his hands in mock surrender. "I wouldn't dream of it. You'll find I'm quite agreeable, as long as our interests align."
Ethan felt a knot of tension ease slightly, though he knew it was far from gone. Kael was dangerous—he could feel it in the way the man spoke, the coldness in his eyes. But for now, they had a common goal, and Ethan would take any advantage he could get.
"Good," Kael said, turning back to the table and gesturing to the maps. "There's much to discuss, and even more to learn. The High Continent is vast, and we've barely begun to scratch the surface of its secrets."
Ethan stepped closer, his eyes scanning the maps. The symbols, the lines connecting different points—it was all part of the Conquest, part of the twisted game they had been forced into. And if they were going to survive, they needed to understand it, to find the power hidden within this strange world.
Aria moved to stand beside him, her eyes flicking between Ethan and Kael, her posture still tense. Together, they began to study the maps, the flickering lantern casting shadows across the room.
The High Continent was a place of trials, of danger and opportunity. And now, with Kael as a tentative ally, Ethan knew they were about to step into an even deeper part of the game—a part that would test their strength, their resolve, and their trust in each other.
But they would face it together, ready for whatever lay ahead.