Sylvrae wore bandages around her chest and stomach, her grip firm around a silver sword. She stood on a stone platform, her gaze focused as figures made of flame began emerging from the ground.
With swift precision, Sylvrae dashed toward the flame being and slashed it, cutting through it effortlessly. It crumbled to ash, the flame flickering out in an instant.
A blue screen appeared in front of her.
"Flame Elemental killed: 5,000 XP gained!
Rewards: Flame Essence."
Sylvrae let out a quiet sigh, her shoulders slumping slightly as she sat down on the stone platform. She looked up at the bright blue sky, the sunlight casting a warm glow across the landscape, with not a cloud in sight.
"Sylvrae!"
A voice echoed from below, drawing her attention. She stood and walked toward the edge of the platform, which hovered several hundred feet above the ground. Looking down, she spotted James standing below.
With a quick stomp on the stone, the platform began its descent. Within moments, she was face to face with him.
"James, has Luke found anything?"
Sylvrae asked.
James gave a nod.
"Yes. The puppets are made from a material called Metallic Crystal. It negates abilities, which explains why the wounds you have can't be healed with them."
Sylvrae looked down at her blade, her expression grim. "How many people were killed in the explosion?"
"Fifty-two in the restaurant, and four more outside, close to it. Plus, twenty others were injured," James replied, his voice heavy with the weight of the tragedy.
Sylvrae's grip tightened on her sword, her knuckles turning white. "I'll kill whoever sent or made those puppets. They took innocent lives…"
James extended his right hand, his voice sincere. "I'll help you, Sylvrae. Once I become king, I'll do everything in my power to assist you."
Sylvrae shook her head, her back to him now. "No. Focus on the kingdom. I'm the hero, I'm the fighter. It's up to me to defeat them. I don't want you getting caught up in this. Whoever sent those puppets is someone formidable."
James clenched his right hand into a fist, taking a deep breath. "Very well… but I'll still do what I can to help."
James turned around and walked away, his footsteps fading as he left. Sylvrae stepped off the elevated slab and noticed a knight walking toward her.
"Do you need something?" she asked.
"We have an important guest. The king wants you to meet and talk with her one-on-one."
Soon, Sylvrae found herself sitting on a red couch in the living room. A small wooden table was in front of her, and another red couch sat across the room.
A woman sat on the couch across from Sylvrae, her legs crossed elegantly.
"I am Lady Dime, the previous queen of the kingdom of Quarterly Quart, on the ninety-first floor."
"Ah, yes. I've heard about you. What is it that you want? What matter is so urgent that you came all the way up here to discuss it with me?"
Lady Dime nodded, her hair shifting slightly. "I don't like the tone you're using with me. I find it rather… what's the word… never mind, I can't think of one."
"Just tell me, what is it that you want with me, Lady Dime?" Sylvrae asked.
"I want to recruit you, the strongest knight in the tower. Many refer to you as the hero of the tower. You take down the biggest of threats just for the good of it," Lady Dime replied.
"Stop praising me and just tell me why you want to recruit me," Sylvrae demanded.
Lady Dime scoffed. "Rather short-tempered, aren't you?"
Lady Dime uncrossed her legs, her green eyes locking with Sylvrae's grey ones.
"I'm hunting down the Feather Guild, specifically their main ten members—the ones who lead the guild. I know you're currently looking for one of them, so why not ally with us and help take them all down?"
Sylvrae's response was swift. "I decline."
Lady Dime was taken aback, placing her right hand on her chest. "Why not? This wouldn't just help the two of us, but everyone. Those criminals need to be put in their place."
Sylvrae shook her head. "The Feather Guild isn't my priority anymore. Starting today, that's Prince James's problem. I'm looking for someone else—someone who just recently attacked our kingdom."
"Wait… the Feather Guild is still a priority, just not my main one anymore. I'm sorry, James. I apologize if you can hear me," Sylvrae thought.
Lady Dime stayed silent for a moment before speaking again. "A shame. We actually know the whereabouts of all the Feather members. We just don't have the power to take them down."
Sylvrae's eyes widened, and she began reconsidering. "Sadly, I am in no condition to fight. Just moving hurts, and no healing magic can fix these wounds. I must wait for them to heal naturally."
"I see, that's a shame. I expected the hero Sylvrae to fight through the pain to defeat evil. Seems like maybe I overestimated you," Lady Dime replied coolly.
In an instant, Sylvrae's sword was at Lady Dime's neck, but the woman remained unfazed.
"You don't kill innocent people," Lady Dime said coldly.
"You aren't innocent. You caused wars and made expeditions that slaughtered thousands. I would have no problem killing you right here, right now. Fortunately for you, I won't—James would be upset with me."
Lady Dime scoffed. "The hero is nothing but a pawn. The royal family of this kingdom owns you. Truly pitiful."
Sylvrae slashed at Lady Dime, and she jumped back, narrowly avoiding the blade. The couch she had been sitting on was cut clean in half.
"Reveal yourself. You're not Lady Dime," Sylvrae demanded.
"What makes you say that? We've never met before. How can you be so sure?" Lady Dime asked, her voice smooth and unbothered.
"What royalty would ever speak to someone like me with such disrespect? You're supposed to be better educated, or something. So who are you, really?"
A small explosion of smoke erupted, and as it cleared, a woman with blonde hair stood before Sylvrae. She appeared to be a teenager, much younger than Lady Dime. Sylvrae's eyes widened.
"Cacophony…"
"The one and only!" Nyra replied with a grin.
"What are you doing here?" Sylvrae demanded.
Before Nyra could even reply, Sylvrae slashed her across the chest, sending her flying through the wall into another room.
Nyra lay on the ground, hurt, a massive slash across her chest. Despite being one of the strongest people in the tower, she was still heavily out-skilled by the hero.
"How did you get into the castle? Why did you want me to help you kill the other feathers?"
Nyra smiled as she stood up, wincing from the pain.
"I'm here to kill James… but to do that, I need to get you out of the way. I know I can't beat you alone, so I was going to try and attack you with the others—wait! You trickster, you just got me to tell you my plan!"
Nyra reached into her pocket and grabbed a small cube. Sylvrae looked intrigued as Nyra smiled and placed the cube on the floor.
"Hopefully I survive…"
The cube glowed, then exploded. The blast consumed everything—the entire castle was obliterated, and the explosion kept expanding. It engulfed the entire kingdom, which was as large as South Korea. Yet, the explosion grew in less than three seconds.