The final stretch of the journey to the Tower of Eternity was filled with an eerie quiet. The land seemed devoid of life, the once lush forests and rolling hills giving way to a barren wasteland. The sky was heavy with dark clouds, casting an ominous shadow over the Tower that now loomed impossibly large before them.
Richard and Kaela stood at the base of the structure, gazing up at its vast, unyielding height. The Tower was a marvel and a terror, its black stone walls seemingly carved from the void itself. Strange runes glowed faintly along its surface, pulsating with an otherworldly energy.
"It's bigger than I imagined," Richard muttered, his voice tinged with awe and fear.
Kaela smirked, though her hand rested warily on the hilt of her sword. "It's not the size that should worry you. It's what's inside."
The entrance to the Tower was a massive archway, flanked by two towering statues of faceless warriors. As they approached, the air grew colder, and a deep hum resonated from the stone. The runes on the archway flared to life, casting an ethereal glow that bathed the clearing in pale light.
Richard hesitated, his heart pounding. "Do we just... walk in?"
Kaela shrugged, her confidence masking her own unease. "No one really knows how it works. Some say the Tower chooses who enters. Others claim it lets anyone in, but only the worthy survive."
Before they could take another step, a figure emerged from the shadows.
"Hold there, travelers," the man called out, his voice firm but not unkind. He was clad in a mix of leather and chainmail, his weathered face marked by years of hardship. A large warhammer rested across his back.
"Who are you?" Kaela demanded, her hand tightening on her sword.
"Just a guardian of sorts," the man replied, holding up his hands in a gesture of peace. "The name's Doran. I've been here for years, watching the fools who think they can conquer the Tower."
Richard frowned. "Why are you here if you don't intend to climb it yourself?"
Doran chuckled, though his eyes were weary. "I tried once, long ago. Made it to the tenth floor before the Tower broke me. Now I stay here, warning others of what lies ahead."
Doran explained the basic rules of the Tower to them.
"The Tower has 102 floors, each one more dangerous than the last. On every floor, you'll face trials monsters, traps, puzzles. There's no turning back once you enter. Either you conquer the Tower, or it conquers you."
"What happens if we die inside?" Richard asked, his throat dry.
"You die," Doran said bluntly. "And sometimes, the Tower doesn't let you go in peace. Your soul might become part of its defenses."
The weight of Doran's words hung heavily in the air. Kaela, undeterred, stepped forward.
"We know the risks," she said. "We're going in."
Doran studied her for a moment, then turned to Richard. "And you, boy? You look like you've never held a blade in your life. What makes you think you'll survive the Tower?"
Richard met his gaze, his jaw set. "Because I have to. I won't let the gods or this world control my fate anymore."
Doran's expression softened, and for a moment, he looked almost impressed. "Very well. Just remember power always comes at a price."
As they stepped beneath the archway, the glow of the runes intensified. A low rumble echoed through the air, and the ground beneath their feet trembled.
Suddenly, Richard felt a strange pull, as if the Tower itself was reaching out to him. His vision blurred, and for a moment, he saw flashes of things he couldn't comprehend twisted corridors, monstrous creatures, and a throne bathed in light and shadow.
When his vision cleared, he was standing in a vast, circular chamber. The walls were lined with ornate carvings, depicting scenes of battles and triumphs. A single spiral staircase wound upward in the center of the room.
Kaela appeared beside him, her sword drawn. "Looks like we're in," she said, her voice steady despite the tension in the air.
Richard nodded, gripping his dagger tightly. The journey had truly begun.
Unseen by them, the Tower's runes pulsed once more, as if in anticipation.
And far above, on the 102nd floor, a figure watched through a glowing mirror. Their lips curled into a smile as they whispered, "Another challenger... Let's see how far you'll go, Richard North."