Rainey walked cautiously down the corridor, the flickering runes casting faint shadows on the stone walls. The air felt different here, calmer, but heavy with an energy that made his skin prickle. He had just faced his own reflection in a trial that had tested not just his strength, but his resolve to keep moving forward. Now, though, something else weighed on his mind.
The tower's changing.
Every step deeper into its labyrinth brought new, unforeseen challenges. The more he progressed, the more he realized that the tower wasn't just about the trials—it was something far more complex. Something he hadn't even begun to understand.
Up until now, he had been completely alone in his journey through the tower. No other climbers, no one to interact with, only the beasts, the shadows, and the endless trials. It was easy to believe that he was the only one climbing, that no one else existed in this strange place. But as he reached the end of the corridor, the quiet sound of voices drifted toward him.
Rainey's body tensed. Voices?
He slowed his pace, his hand instinctively hovering near the hilt of his sword. The corridor opened into a vast chamber, larger than any he had seen so far. Unlike the previous floors, where danger lurked around every corner, this one had an almost peaceful atmosphere. The light was soft, and the runes on the walls glowed steadily, giving the chamber an ethereal calm.
But what truly shocked him were the figures moving around the chamber. Climbers—dozens of them—gathered in small groups, scattered across the room. Some were deep in conversation, others sat alone, resting or sharpening their weapons. Rainey's breath caught in his throat. For the first time since entering the tower, he wasn't alone.
Other climbers. I'm not the only one.
The realization hit him hard. He had assumed he was isolated in this fight for survival. But here they were—others who had survived the trials, just like him.
His heart pounded in his chest. He had no idea how to approach them. Were they hostile? Friendly? Would they even acknowledge him? He had spent so long fighting against the tower's dangers that seeing other people felt almost unreal.
Rainey's steps slowed as he tried to assess the situation. Groups of climbers gathered around what appeared to be a large stone monument at the center of the chamber. They exchanged quiet words, some glancing at Rainey with curiosity, but most of them ignored him. He kept his hand near his sword, ready for anything.
Stay sharp, Rainey. You don't know what they're after.
He decided to stay on the outskirts of the chamber, observing from a distance. He had no intention of walking straight into the middle of whatever was happening here without first understanding what these climbers wanted. Trust was dangerous—especially here, in the tower.
His thoughts were interrupted when a figure approached him, stepping out from one of the groups. The man was tall, broad-shouldered, and clad in dark armor that gleamed faintly in the light. His face was stern, his eyes sharp and calculating. He walked toward Rainey with the calm confidence of someone who had seen many battles and survived.
"You're new here," the man said, stopping a few feet away from Rainey. His tone was neutral, but there was something hard behind it.
Rainey tensed, his hand tightening around the hilt of his sword. "First time on this floor," he replied cautiously. He had no idea what this man's intentions were.
The man nodded, his gaze sweeping over Rainey, taking in his worn clothes, his weapon, the exhaustion in his eyes. "You've been fighting alone, haven't you?"
Rainey's jaw tightened. He didn't like how quickly this stranger seemed to read him. "What's it to you?"
The man smiled faintly, though it didn't reach his eyes. "Most climbers make it this far with some kind of help. Allies. Factions. You… you don't seem to have that."
Rainey's mind raced. Factions? Allies? He had no idea what the man was talking about. He hadn't seen anyone else since he had entered the tower—let alone had the chance to form alliances.
The man's gaze sharpened. "That's rare. It means you've got potential. But it also makes you a target."
Rainey stiffened, the hairs on the back of his neck rising. "What do you mean, a target?"
"Look around." The man gestured to the groups of climbers scattered across the chamber. "The higher you go, the more organized things become. Climbers group up. They form factions. Some to share resources, others for protection. But the moment you start making progress on your own… people notice."
Rainey glanced at the groups of climbers, noticing for the first time the tension in the air. It wasn't an easy camaraderie he was witnessing. There was an underlying current of suspicion, as if everyone was waiting for the right moment to strike.
"So, what?" Rainey asked, his tone clipped. "You're telling me I need to pick a side?"
The man chuckled, though there was no warmth in it. "It's not that simple. The factions up here? They're not friendly alliances. They're power plays. You can either join one, get caught between them, or keep climbing and hope no one decides to take you down."
Rainey's eyes narrowed. "I don't need a faction. I've made it this far on my own."
"True," the man said, his voice calm. "But you've barely scratched the surface of what's coming. The higher floors? The competition gets worse. And if you don't pick a side, someone will choose for you."
Rainey's heart sank. He hadn't even considered the possibility that other climbers would become a threat. Up until now, it had just been him against the tower's trials. But this? This was a different kind of danger—one he couldn't fight with a sword alone.
He didn't respond, unsure of what to say. The man's words hung in the air, heavy with warning. Pick a side, or be crushed by those stronger than you.
After a long moment, the man nodded. "Just a friendly piece of advice. Watch your back. The higher you go, the more eyes will be on you."
With that, the man turned and walked away, disappearing into the crowd of climbers gathered near the monument.
Rainey stood there for a moment, processing what he had just learned. Factions. Power struggles. Other climbers vying for control. The tower wasn't just about surviving the trials anymore—it was about navigating a world filled with dangerous people, each with their own agendas.
His fingers tightened around the hilt of his sword. He had survived this long on his own, and he wasn't about to let himself be pulled into the schemes of others. But the man's words echoed in his mind: The higher you climb, the more dangerous things get.
Rainey glanced around the chamber once more, his eyes narrowing. He had never met other climbers before, and now that he had, he realized something: they were just as much a threat as the tower itself.
Taking a deep breath, Rainey turned away from the groups and moved toward the far end of the chamber. The path ahead was uncertain, but he knew one thing for sure: the tower was only going to get more dangerous, and the people in it were no exception.