Aryan, Priya, and Rahul stepped onto the first floor of the Eternal Tower, a vast expanse cloaked in dim light and an eerie silence that seemed to press against their senses. The ground beneath their feet was solid, yet it felt strange, as if the floor itself was alive and observing them.
The trio paused, taking in their surroundings. The room was expansive, with towering columns stretching into the darkness above. Shadows flickered across the walls, and the air was thick with tension. This was no ordinary resting area; it was a space designed to challenge their perception and readiness.
Priya glanced around, her eyes narrowing. "This doesn't feel like a simple resting floor. There's something off about this place."
Rahul gripped his sword tightly, his muscles tense. "Yeah, I can feel it too. It's like the shadows are watching us."
Aryan remained silent, his mind focused on the subtle shifts in the atmosphere. He activated his status window, reviewing his stats and ensuring everything was in order.
Status Window - Aryan Sharma (24)
Title: None
Affiliation: None
Rank: E
Level: 5
Class: Warrior
Stats:
Strength: 28Agility: 23Aura: 14Intelligence: 11
Unallocated Stats: 5
Skills:
Basic Swordsmanship (E)
"I'll increase my agility," Aryan muttered to himself. "We need to be faster to react to any sudden threats."
He quickly allocated his unallocated stats, feeling a slight surge of energy coursing through his body. His movements felt lighter, more precise. He knew that in a place like this, speed could mean the difference between survival and defeat.
Status Window - Aryan Sharma (24)
Title: None
Affiliation: None
Rank: E
Level: 5
Class: Warrior
Stats:
Strength: 28
Agility: 28
Aura: 14
Intelligence: 11
Unallocated Stats: 0
Skills:
Basic Swordsmanship (E)
Aryan turned to Priya and Rahul. "We need to stay alert. This floor might seem like a resting area, but it could be hiding dangers we can't see."
Priya nodded, her eyes scanning the room. "Agreed. Let's move cautiously and see what we're dealing with."
As they ventured deeper into the floor, the shadows seemed to grow darker, almost tangible. Whispers echoed around them, low and indistinct, like the murmur of a distant crowd. The atmosphere grew heavier, and each step felt like a struggle against an unseen force.
Rahul whispered, "Do you hear that? It's like the walls are whispering."
Priya's eyes darted around, her hand on her dagger. "It's the tower. It's testing us again. We can't let it get to us."
Suddenly, a shadow detached itself from the wall, coalescing into a humanoid figure with glowing red eyes. It lunged at Aryan, who barely managed to dodge in time.
"Watch out!" Aryan shouted, drawing his sword. The creature snarled, its form shifting and flickering like a distorted image.
Rahul and Priya sprang into action, their weapons drawn. Priya threw her dagger, aiming for the creature's chest, but it passed through as if slicing through smoke.
Rahul slashed at it with his sword, but the creature merely reformed, unfazed by the attack. "Physical attacks aren't working!"
Aryan's mind raced. "It's a shadow. We need to figure out how to deal with it. There has to be a way."
Priya, recalling their training, focused her aura, channeling it into her dagger. "Maybe it's weak to aura-infused attacks."
She hurled the dagger again, this time imbued with a faint glow. The weapon struck true, the creature screeching as it dissipated into the air.
Aryan nodded. "Aura attacks it is. Let's stick together and take these things down."
More shadow creatures emerged from the walls, surrounding them. The trio fought back, their attacks now glowing with aura, cutting through the darkness. Each victory made them more confident, their teamwork seamless.
When the last creature fell, the room brightened slightly, and the oppressive atmosphere lifted. The whispers ceased, leaving behind an echoing silence.
Priya, panting, looked at Aryan. "That was intense. This floor is more than just a rest stop. It's preparing us for what's ahead."
Aryan agreed, wiping sweat from his brow. "The Eternal Tower is testing every aspect of us, not just our physical abilities but our resolve and adaptability. We have to be ready for anything."
Rahul sheathed his sword. "We survived this time, but we need to be even more prepared for the next challenge."
Aryan gazed at the far end of the room, where a staircase spiraled upward, leading to the next floor. "This is just the beginning. We've passed the first test, but the real journey lies ahead."