Chapter 24: Legacy of Survival
The morning sun cast a pale glow over the Stone Tower as Abel awoke to the soft sound of footsteps in the hallway. Today was different—there was no library duty awaiting him. With his shifts scheduled only a few days a week, he had the luxury of a free afternoon. But first, there was class.
After washing up and putting on his dark gray recruit robes, Abel made his way to the lecture hall. The Tower always felt quiet in the mornings, as if the air itself was still waking up. The stone walls echoed with distant murmurs and the occasional sound of boots against the floor, but otherwise, silence prevailed.
Today’s class was led by Glandel, his tall frame standing at the front of the room as recruits shuffled to their seats. The dim lighting of the hall made the heavy atmosphere even more palpable.
Glandel’s voice boomed as he began to speak, and the room settled into silence. His expression was severe as ever, his dark eyes scanning the room before focusing on the map that hung behind him—a vast, sprawling depiction of the Rollan Kingdom and the lands surrounding it.
“Today, we’ll be discussing the Rollan Kingdom, the last bastion of humanity after the fall of the Old Kingdoms,” Glandel began, his gravelly voice echoing through the hall. “The history of this kingdom is as bloody as it is legendary, and each of you must understand where we came from and why these Towers are so important.”
Abel leaned forward, intrigued. The fall of the Old Kingdoms had always been shrouded in mystery, the specifics of it scattered across conflicting texts and fragmented lore. Even in the library, Abel had found little that provided clarity. But here, Glandel seemed ready to unravel some of the deeper truths.
Glandel gestured toward the map, his finger tracing the central landmass where the Stone Tower was located. “Long ago, the human race ruled over vast territories. Kingdoms stretched across continents, and magic flourished in every corner of the world. But our arrogance cost us dearly. We grew complacent, believing ourselves untouchable. And then came the Fall.”
He paused, letting his words settle. “We were overrun by forces we did not understand. The world beyond the borders of our kingdom became a nightmare. Dark creatures from the depths of the earth, the seas, and even the skies assaulted us, driven by powers far older and more malevolent than any human could comprehend.”
The recruits sat in silence, their faces reflecting a mixture of fear and fascination. Abel's heart beat a little faster as he thought of the tales he'd read, but none of them had captured the horror Glandel was now describing.
“The Rollan Kingdom was formed in the aftermath,” Glandel continued. “King Rollan, a man of extraordinary vision and strength, united the surviving clans and families. Under his leadership, the kingdom we now call home was forged. But make no mistake, the Rollan Kingdom can be a fragile thing if we allow it. It is held together by the magic of these Towers, each one a symbol of our strength and our reach.”
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Glandel’s finger pointed to various towers scattered across the map. “These Towers are more than just fortresses—they are our hope. They serve as magical anchors that prevent the spread of corruption and keep the dark forces at bay. As you rise through the ranks, you will come to understand just how vital they are to the survival of our race.”
Abel’s mind raced. He had always thought of the Towers as places of refuge, as training grounds for future Apostles. But now, it seemed they were something much more—a line of defense against a world that wanted humanity erased.
“King Rollan’s greatest legacy,” Glandel continued, his tone heavy with reverence, “was the creation of the Magical Towers. The secrets of their construction are known only to a select few. Some say the blueprints were given to King Rollan by an ancient, benevolent force; others claim he discovered them during his many expeditions to forgotten ruins. But whatever the truth may be, these Towers are the reason we still exist.”
The room was hushed, the weight of the information sinking in. Abel found himself imagining the vast, forgotten kingdoms that once spanned the earth, now reduced to ruin and shadow. What kind of power had brought humanity to the brink of extinction? And how had King Rollan managed to stave off total annihilation?
“And don’t think,” Glandel added, his voice taking on a darker edge, “that all of humanity’s enemies lie outside our borders. There are forces within the kingdom itself—rogue Apostles, forbidden cults, and worse—that seek to tear us apart from the inside. Be wary of those who whisper promises of power. The price is always higher than it seems.”
The warning hung in the air like a specter, and Abel felt a chill crawl up his spine. He glanced around the room, noticing that others were similarly affected. Glandel’s words carried an undeniable gravity, a reminder that the world outside the Stone Tower was not as distant as they might like to believe.
“As you progress,” Glandel concluded, “you will learn more about the Rollan Kingdom’s history, its mysteries, and its enemies. But for now, understand this: our survival depends on the Towers and on your ability to protect and expand their reach.”
The class ended shortly after, leaving Abel deep in thought as he made his way out of the hall. The other members of Room Eighty were still occupied with their herb-gathering tasks, so he walked alone toward the main hall on the first floor, where he was scheduled to meet the recruit known as Gravedigger.
The anticipation of the task ahead weighed on him. He had never met Gravedigger, and the name alone conjured images of someone dark and mysterious. Abel had no idea what to expect from this recruit, only that Gravedigger was said to be at a crucial stage in his journey to becoming an Apostle. The contribution points were good, but something was unsettling about the assignment.
As he reached the main hall, Abel scanned the room for Gravedigger or anyone who might be involved in the task. The hall was bustling with recruits, some preparing for their own missions while others chatted in small groups, their voices low and filled with excitement.
Abel waited patiently, his thoughts still lingering on Glandel’s lecture and the dark history of the kingdom.