Obviously, the person who forgets torches is a wizard who can see in the dark!

Letting out a loud sigh, I reached into my backpack and pulled out my phone as a small smile tugged at the corners of my mouth. Light obtained, I thought, as I double-pressed the power button. The light from my phone illuminated the space but "room" was a bit generous—it felt more like a section of a hallway going into the outer wall that had collapsed.

There was nothing but black stone walls and the faint turquoise swirls I’d seen earlier. The glowing swirls along the walls had created the illusion of a larger space. There was just a worn archway that opened up into darkness, leading, I hoped, to the rest of the stronghold beyond.

I stood up, adjusting the weight of my backpack before cautiously leaning out to peer into the hallway beyond. A dark corridor stretched endlessly in both directions, with the slow, rhythmic pulsing of faint veining turquoise light along the walls. The glow ebbed and flowed like dim LED lights, casting just enough illumination to suggest the shape of the hallway but never bright enough to see where I would be stepping.

What is that? Out of the corner of my eye, I caught a faint glimmer reflecting off the wall to my right. Shining my light towards it I realized it was coming from a metal sconce, barely visible from here, even though it wasn’t too far away. I turned my head slowly and, as my eyes adjusted more, I saw more of them, lined up at intervals along the hallway. They seemed to stretch on into the darkness, like forgotten remnants of a time when this place was alive with light and activity.

The sconces along the wall hinted at the possibility of light, so I moved toward the nearest one, my footsteps echoing softly in the silence. When I reached it, I saw only the metal frame; just a hollow, empty fixture greeted me, with no torch.

Continuing down the hall, the unsettling quiet pressed in around me. After walking for what felt like an eternity, I eventually spotted a torch nestled in a sconce up ahead. My steps quickened eagerly towards it.

Finally! My phone dying is the last thing I need, even if I use my power bank to charge it. I’m not sure how much more time that would give me and I definitely didn't want to be without a backup light.

I dipped my hand into my pocket, touching the bag of holding. My mental fingers found the tinderbox, one of those standard adventuring items that had amused me the first time I rummaged through it. I flipped the tinderbox open and spotted the flint and steel nestled neatly inside, resting on top of wood shavings. The strong scent of a deep forest rose up. I brought the case close to my nose, closed my eyes, and inhaled the fragrance. The scent brought back images of hiking. Opening my eyes, I gently lifted the tools out, careful not to disturb the shavings.

Reaching up toward the torch, I struck the flint and steel together, working carefully until a spark caught. Finally, the torch in the sconce sprang to life with a bright, cheerful flame. Its warm glow flooded the hallway, transforming the once-dark and eerie passage into a more inviting space. The soft light danced along the stone walls, making the corridor feel a little less magical and more mundane as it gently illuminated the corridor around me.

Wait, why have the veins stopped pulsing? I could still see their glow just beyond the torchlight’s reach. Wherever the light touched, the veins dulled, leaving behind nothing but a lifeless black surface streaked with faint brown lines.

Could it be that the entire outer wall glows at night?! The realization hit me, sending a shiver down my spine. I imagined the vast expanse of the castle walls bathed in that eerie turquoise glow, pulsing like a heartbeat, lighting up the night like some ancient, forgotten beacon. The outside already screamed, “evil castle”.

Shaking off the thought, I turned my attention back to the hallway ahead. As I took in the now visible surroundings I couldn’t make out any other archways, just more empty sconces.

The unsettling absence of dust on the floor caught my attention, and as I looked around, there were no signs of the way I had come—no footprints, no disturbed cobwebs, none of the usual clues you’d expect in an ancient ruin. It was almost too clean. Thank goodness this isn’t a video game or RPG, or I would've triggered a trap by now.

I looked up at the torch. How long do these things even stay alight?

I glanced up at the dancing flame becoming transfixed with how it moved. Was there a subtle pattern in the way the light flickered and cast shadows? It felt as if the flame was trying to show me something, a rhythm or pattern just out of reach.

As part of me tried to decode the pattern, I wondered yet again, What exactly is a Discomancer? Will there be spells, or am I just stuck with these random moments of rhythmic inspiration and bursts of fast, controlled dance movements? How am I going to cast magic? By dancing? Wait, didn't the write-up mention something about chaos, too? Hmmm, is the flickering flame showing me a way to learn a spell? Or is it all just random patterns? Everything related to this class seems to occur so randomly.

Taking up the torch, I continued forward, my mind wandering as the flickering firelight danced in rhythmic patterns along the walls. Mesmerized by the way the light played against the stone, my thoughts drifted deeper, tracing the unpredictable rhythm of the flames and the subtle beauty hidden within their chaotic movement. All the countless, invisible forces in the universe—the subtle currents of air, the shifting temperature, the interplay of energy—conspired to make the torch flicker this way and that, each movement seemingly random yet governed by unseen laws. These unaccountable variations filled my mind, reminding me of the delicate balance of chaos and order that shaped even the smallest moments around me.

I stretched out my hand, fingertips grazing the cool stone, the shadows rippling beneath my touch. A strange hum stirred beneath my skin, an electric buzz, like the energy in the wall shifted under my control. The sensation grew stronger, my fingers tracing faster along the twisting lines. Without warning, a force surged through me, and a disco of swirling lights burst from my hand in a rainbow of colors, spreading across the space before exploding and knocking me off my feet.

Dust swirled in the air as I hit the ground, and I blinked rapidly to clear my vision. When the dust settled, sunlight flooded my face, revealing a desolate scene of empty stalls and crumbling buildings. I was finally within the ruins.

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I can’t believe that worked! I actually did something as a Discomancer! Sure, it wasn't intentional, but still! My hand vibrated as if I were controlling something, and then boom, I was knocked back, and suddenly I could see outside!

I stood up, grinning like an idiot, my heart racing.

A blinking icon of a smiling face appeared at the edge of my field of vision. With a quick glance, I reached across, pressing my fingers to the bracer to activate it.

>>Congratulations, Mal! You have obtained:

>>Web of Chaos: You can now funk with the universe. You have uncovered a small fragment of the nature of Chaos and the underlying order required for it to exist. You are now able to gain glimpses of insight into the weave of chaotic forces at work and abuse this to your benefit. You will occasionally gain a ‘Chaotic Insight’ which may provide you with new opportunities to reach your goals in unexpected ways. With this newfound awareness, you can recognize specific patterns within the disorder and cleverly manipulate them, turning unpredictability into an advantage. By daring to harness the chaotic universe, you will find yourself bending reality in subtle yet effective ways, giving you all the right moves and set to all the right grooves. Keep funking up the universe’s flow to gain levels and evolve.

The screen faded away as a grin spread across my face, excitement buzzing in my chest. A nervous laugh escaped me, but I straightened up releasing the bracer as, feeling the thrill of what was to come. 'Get ready, universe,' I muttered under my breath, my fingers flexing with anticipation. I could almost feel the chaotic energy swirling around me, waiting for me to take control.

At this rate I should get to the tower soon. I mean surely the looming central tower was a wizards tower! This has to be why I was sent here. Who knows, maybe I’ll come across a grimoire, a scroll, or—if fortune favors me—both. Becoming his apprentice is the ultimate goal, but who wouldn’t want to loot forgotten relics and lost treasures along the way?

I bent down sifting my fingers through the rubble until they brushed against the cold, unlit torch. I raised an eyebrow, a small smile tugging at my lips—turns out, explosions are an efficient way to snuff out a flame. With a satisfied nod, I focused on the bag of holding, mentally stowing the extinguished torch inside, feeling it vanish from my grasp as it was safely stored away.

I began to weave my way from the wall toward the center, my eyes scanning the remnants of what must have been a bustling place. Broken cobblestones, crumbling stalls, and the remains of buildings hinted at a time when this place teemed with life, enough to resemble a small city. I couldn’t help but wonder how it all once fit together. Each step took me past doorways that opened into emptiness; shattered stone walls, cracked clay, and jagged fragments of what might have once been glass littered the floors.

The silence, interrupted only by the random crunching beneath my feet, was suddenly broken by the rumbling of my stomach, reminding me I hadn’t eaten in a while, but that wasn’t all. My legs were growing heavy, each step slower than the last, and a fog of exhaustion began to settle over my mind. My muscles protested with every movement, and I could feel the weight of fatigue creeping in, pulling at my body like a tether trying to drag me down.

As the adrenaline continued to drain from my system, the need to hydrate and eat became more pressing. While continuing to walk, I swung my backpack around, fumbling for the half-full bottle of water inside. When I found it, I unscrewed the cap and drank deeply, the liquid hitting my throat like relief I hadn’t known I needed. Each mouthful made me realize how much I’d neglected my body’s needs, the thirst now overwhelming.

This was dangerous, and I knew better than to let it happen. Working on wind turbines requires constant awareness of your body's needs. When you’re hundreds of feet in the air, there’s no room for error—things like blood sugar levels and hydration aren’t just minor details; they’re critical for survival. Dizziness, fatigue, or dehydration could be disastrous at such extreme heights. I’d been trained to stay on top of these factors, to manage my physical state carefully to prevent accidents and keep my performance sharp. Yet here I was, letting the lure of magic cloud my judgment in my excitement, fully aware of the risks. Still, the pull of magic was hard to resist. I knew I had to get my head back in the game before my recklessness caught up with me.

If getting into the tower isn't an option right away. I'll just camp in one of the closer buildings, take care of my bodily needs, and give myself time to gather my thoughts. A little rest, some food, and hydration should help clear my mind and steady my focus. Pushing forward while I’m this drained would be reckless, so it’s better to regroup and come up with a clear plan once I’m back at full strength.

I continued on, taking notice of my position at an intersection. I turned right, walking with the tower now directly ahead of me. It loomed high above. The dark stone and jagged shapes of the tower were becoming more defined. Alcoves appeared to hold statues of crystalline figures, resembling elemental beings. They stood in silent watch, like ancient guardians of the tower, their presence both mesmerizing and unsettling for what might be inside the tower. Maybe they're just meant to strike fear.

It would be absolutely incredible if the tower were elemental! Just think of all the raw, untapped power in the elements, waiting to be stirred up. The fabric of the universe, woven through elementals, would be the perfect material to manipulate with my Discomancer skills. I could bend chaos, twist energy, and really see what I’m capable of. This tower could be the ultimate playground for someone like me, where I can push the limits of my magic and see just how far I can take this.

I can’t believe I ended up at the best place to unlock my magic. But now I’m wondering—what if I’d come straight to the tower? Would I have unlocked something different? Maybe Discomancer wasn’t the only path. What if the magic here has a completely different vibe, tied to the elements or something ancient? It’s crazy, I could’ve had a whole different side of magic awakened. Maybe I’d be learning to control fire, earth, or air instead of bending chaos.

As I approached the entrance, towering obsidian doors loomed before me, their surfaces intricately carved with swirling patterns and symbols that seemed to shift. The sheer size of them was overwhelming, each detail etched with a precision that felt ancient and powerful. I climbed the worn stone steps, my heart pounding in my chest, but I steeled myself. With a deep breath and renewed resolve, I pressed my hands against the cold, menacing surface and pushed, feeling the weight of the massive doors groan as they slowly gave way.

The doors swung open as if they had been waiting for me to enter. The interior lit up brightly, with turquoise veins pulsing through the stone. To my left, there was a counter, reminiscent of a welcome area in a museum or art gallery. It was completely bare, with no items resting on it. An opening at the far end of the antechamber led deeper into the structure. I decided now was the time to stop, eat, and rest. If I let my excitement keep driving me, it might lead me straight into danger.

I made my way over to the counter, shrugging off my backpack with a sigh and sinking to the floor, resting my back against it. Reaching into the bag of holding, I carefully pulled out my supplies and set them in front of me. I mechanically opened the bento box and began chewing, not really tasting the stew. As I chewed, my eyes drifted to the walls, their turquoise veins pulsing faintly. My gaze lingered on the intricate patterns woven into the stone, trying to make sense of them, as if staring hard enough might stir the Web of Chaos, might spark that elusive ‘Chaotic Insight.’

I carefully packed everything away, though my attention never really left the pulsing patterns on the walls. The rhythmic glow seemed to draw me in, mesmerizing me with its subtle shifts. My eyes grew heavy, drifting closed, only to snap open again whenever a faint tingle of understanding flickered in my mind. It was as if the patterns were trying to communicate something, each pulse carrying a whisper of knowledge that I couldn’t quite grasp but could feel on the edge of my consciousness.