Kael stood at the base of the tower, tilting his head back, his eyes following the spiraling structure that disappeared into the mist above. The tower seemed to swallow the sky itself, its cold, stone walls covered in symbols that glowed faintly—a language he didn't yet understand but felt inexplicably drawn to.
They say this place takes what you are and turns it into something you can barely recognize.
Kael smirked, straightening up. "Let it try," he murmured, fingers brushing the edge of his cloak. He wasn't here to be transformed; he was here to climb. He'd spent years honing his skills, setting aside everything else, and now he stood at the entrance to the very place that would either make him a legend—or break him.
---
The clearing around the tower was filled with climbers, each bearing their own story, ambition, or that silent, haunted look of someone chasing something they couldn't quite reach. Most stood in scattered groups, casting wary glances at one another, instinctively keeping their guard up.
Kael observed them, gauging faces, stances, and movements. A tall man with sharp, analytical eyes caught his attention—a figure who held himself with military precision, his armor polished, his gaze steady. Kael's instinct immediately noted the potential in him. He was calculating, precise. An ally, perhaps.
Kael turned his focus to a woman standing nearby. She was elegantly composed, with strikingly pale blue eyes that hinted at something guarded, hidden beneath a practiced smile. She observed the others with a distant expression, standing alone yet clearly not out of place. Something about her seemed shrouded, as though she wore a mask not just of politeness but of necessity.
"New here?" a voice interrupted his thoughts.
Kael turned to find a young woman with auburn hair and soft green eyes watching him with a hesitant smile. She looked like she didn't quite belong here—too gentle, too open. But there was something more there, a flicker of quiet determination in her gaze.
"More or less," Kael replied with a smirk, sizing her up.
She laughed, a sound that seemed oddly out of place in the cold shadow of the tower. "I guess we're all new to this, right?"
---
Interesting mix of people here, Kael thought, casting another glance around. I'll need to keep a close eye on each of them.
This wasn't just a climb; it was a test, and everyone here knew it. If he wanted to survive and thrive, he'd need to read his potential allies and threats carefully.
---
A soft shuffling sound caught his attention. An elderly man, thin and hunched, moved among the crowd, his hands folded into the sleeves of his robe. He wore a simple, flowing garment adorned with strange patterns that mirrored those on the tower's walls. His gaze was piercing despite his age, sharp and observant.
"Welcome, climbers," the man announced, his voice gentle yet carrying a weight of knowledge. "You stand at the entrance to the Tower. It has awaited you… some of you, longer than others."
Murmurs rippled through the crowd, a mix of curiosity and unease.
The man paused, his gaze sweeping over each climber. "The Tower of Ideals will test not just your strength but the truth of what lies within you. Your ambitions, your fears, your beliefs—they will all be laid bare within these walls."
His words seemed to reach Kael directly, a chill settling in his spine. Ambition. The very reason he was here.
"Will you be transformed? Perhaps," the man continued, a strange glint in his eye. "But know this: each trial awaits with purpose, and only those who understand their own ideals will reach the summit."
Kael narrowed his eyes. Understand my ideals, huh? He had an idea of what drove him, but perhaps this climb would prove just how well he truly understood himself.
As the historian turned to leave, Kael called out, "What are these… ideals you speak of?"
The man glanced over his shoulder, a faint smile touching his lips. "Those of us who've been here longer know that ideals are the only compass in the darkness." His gaze lingered on Kael for a moment, as though seeing something more. "Perhaps, young climber, you will come to see it for yourself."
And with that, he disappeared into the shadows.
---
A soft laugh pulled Kael's attention back. The woman with pale blue eyes was watching him, an amused smile tugging at her lips.
"You seem eager to ask questions," she said, her voice smooth and measured.
"Curiosity's part of the climb, isn't it?" Kael replied, keeping his tone light but his gaze steady.
She tilted her head, studying him with an intensity that reminded him of a predator observing prey. "It's more than curiosity. Most wouldn't be bold enough to ask… or maybe they're too afraid of the answer."
Kael shrugged. "Fear isn't much of a motivator when you've come this far. Besides, the only way to get to the top is to understand the rules of the game."
The woman's expression softened slightly. "Well, then. I suppose we'll see how far your understanding gets you." She extended a hand, her gaze unwavering. "Selene."
"Kael." He shook her hand, noting the firm grip, her confidence just as palpable as his own.
---
As they spoke, Kael noticed others pairing up, finding tentative allies. The tall man he'd noticed earlier—a soldier, perhaps—seemed to be conversing with a few climbers nearby. The auburn-haired girl was talking to another group, her open nature already attracting others.
The tower loomed overhead, its silence almost oppressive. It felt as if it were watching, weighing, and judging them.
"Seems like everyone's preparing themselves," Kael murmured, glancing around at the other climbers.
Selene's gaze followed his. "It's smart. Only a fool would think they could climb alone."
Kael chuckled. "Good thing I'm not that kind of fool."
"Good," she replied with a slight smirk. "Neither am I."
---
A low rumble reverberated through the air as the massive stone doors of the tower creaked open, revealing an endless, dark corridor lined with faintly glowing symbols. The crowd fell silent, every climber's gaze locked on the path ahead.
Kael glanced at Selene, who gave him a quick nod, a silent acknowledgment of their understanding. As they moved toward the entrance, he felt the familiar thrill rise within him—the thrill of the unknown, the promise of power.
He took one last look at the crowd, each climber brimming with ambition, fear, or hope. With a final, confident stride, Kael crossed the threshold, the shadows of the tower swallowing him whole.
Let the climb begin.
End of Chapter 1