Eren ascended the spiral staircase that led to the next floor, the Flux Node tucked securely in his pack. The Tower's secrets were beginning to surface, but each revelation felt like a drop in an ocean of unanswered questions. The Node pulsed faintly, its energy both comforting and unsettling.
As he stepped onto the 15th floor, the atmosphere shifted dramatically. The air was thick with an almost oppressive stillness, and the ground beneath his boots was smooth stone, etched with intricate, glowing runes. The space stretched out into a vast expanse, the walls lined with towering statues—humanoid figures with indistinct faces, each holding a weapon or artifact.
Eren's footsteps echoed loudly, the sound swallowed quickly by the vast chamber. The system interface appeared before him, glowing softly.
Floor 15: Hall of the Forgotten
• Objective: Relive and overcome the echoes of the past.
• Hazards: Mental and emotional trials.
• Warning: Success requires clarity of purpose and strength of will.
He frowned, his fingers brushing the Flux Node instinctively. "Mental and emotional trials?" he muttered. "What are you throwing at me this time?"
The answer came swiftly. The room's light dimmed, and the runes on the ground flared to life, creating a glowing web that stretched out beneath his feet. The air grew colder, and an unsettling hum filled the chamber.
A figure materialized before him, shaped by shadows and light. It was eerily familiar—a younger version of himself, dressed in the same clothes he had worn years ago before his life had been upended by the Tower.
"Eren," the figure said, its voice calm but accusatory. "Why are you here?"
Eren stiffened, gripping his blade tightly. "I don't have time for games," he said, glaring at the apparition.
"Games?" the shadow-Eren replied, stepping closer. "That's rich, coming from someone who abandoned everything. Do you even remember why you started climbing the Tower?"
The words hit harder than Eren wanted to admit. He took a step back, his grip tightening on his blade. "I'm here to survive. To find answers."
"Answers?" the figure mocked, shaking its head. "You're chasing something you don't understand. You've left everything behind—your life, your goals, your humanity—and for what? To be the Tower's pawn?"
Eren's jaw tightened. He raised his blade, but the shadow-Eren laughed.
"You can't fight me," it said. "I'm not your enemy. I'm you—the part of you that remembers what you've lost. The part you've buried."
The chamber began to shift, the statues around them melting into scenes from Eren's past. He saw himself at home, tinkering with early inventions. He saw his family, their faces blurred but their voices clear, echoing through the chamber.
"Do you even remember them?" the shadow-Eren asked. "Or are they just another casualty of your ambition?"
Eren faltered, lowering his blade. The memories were painful, but he refused to look away. "I remember," he said quietly. "I remember everything."
The shadow-Eren tilted its head. "Then prove it. Prove that you haven't lost yourself."
The scene shifted again, this time showing Eren's most recent challenges: the Phantom Gate, the carnivorous plants, the Flux Node. Each moment played out like a vivid dream, the intensity of his struggles magnified.
The shadow-Eren stepped closer, its eyes glowing faintly. "What drives you, Eren? Is it survival? Curiosity? Or something else? The Tower doesn't reward the uncertain. If you can't answer that question, you won't survive."
Eren clenched his fists, his breath steadying. "I climb because I have to," he said, his voice firm. "Because the alternative is giving up, and I'm not the type to quit. If the Tower wants to test me, then fine—I'll face whatever it throws at me. But I won't lose myself in the process."
The shadow-Eren studied him for a long moment before nodding slowly. "Then show me. Prove it."
The chamber shifted once more, the shadow-Eren fading into the darkness. In its place, a figure emerged from one of the statues—a warrior clad in ornate armor, wielding a massive sword etched with glowing runes.
The system interface appeared briefly.
Trial Initiated: Defeat the Guardian.
Eren readied his blade, his heart pounding. The Guardian charged without warning, its movements swift and deliberate. Eren dodged the first swing, the blade narrowly missing him and smashing into the stone floor with a deafening crash.
He countered with a precise strike, aiming for the joints in the Guardian's armor. Sparks flew as his blade connected, but the attack barely left a scratch. The Guardian retaliated with a backhanded swing, forcing Eren to roll out of the way.
The fight was relentless. The Guardian's strength was overwhelming, but Eren's agility kept him one step ahead. He analyzed its movements, noting the brief pauses between its attacks.
After a grueling exchange, Eren spotted an opening. He feinted to the left, drawing the Guardian's attention, before pivoting and driving his blade into the runes on its chest.
The Guardian froze, its armor cracking as light burst from within. It collapsed into a heap of broken pieces, the runes on the ground dimming.
Eren staggered back, catching his breath as the system interface reappeared.
Trial Complete. Floor 15 Cleared. Proceed to the Exit.
The chamber grew quiet, the oppressive stillness lifting. Eren sheathed his blade and stepped toward the exit, his resolve stronger than ever. The Tower would test him, but he would endure. He had to.
As the exit opened before him, a faint echo of his own voice lingered in the air.
"Don't forget who you are."
Eren nodded, stepping into the unknown once more.