Bo hovered in the air, staring blankly into the mist, trying to ignore the dimly luminescent thread that bound him to Lucy. The weight of the decision hung heavy in the air, but there was no going back now. His fate was sealed, though he wasn’t exactly sure what that meant. Not yet, anyway.
“I hope I won’t regret this…” Bo muttered under his breath. He glanced up to see Lucy grinning from ear to ear, like she had just won some cosmic jackpot. Her eyes sparkled with that same devilish mischief that made him uneasy.
“So… What happens now?” Bo asked, already bracing himself for whatever insane thing came next.
Lucy clapped her hands together, sending a ripple of energy through the area as her little wings fluttered with excitement. “Now, I’m going to show you something first, before we head back.”
Having said that, she suddenly grabbed him and Lumi, and they blasted upwards through the mist.
Bo couldn’t even let out a single word, as her flying speed was—
BOOOOM!
Shattering the speed barrier so casually… Just how powerful is she!?
As they ascended higher and higher, he felt the cold mist begin to thin, its tendrils reluctantly letting go as they pierced through the veil. The sensation was both thrilling and terrifying—like diving into the deep end of an ocean and emerging into an entirely new realm.
His soul flickered with excitement as the mist finally broke apart, revealing a vast expanse of open sky. For the first time, he could see beyond the towering walls and suffocating fog that had kept him confined below. The sky opened up into a canvas of endless hues—pinks, purples, and deep blues streaked with threads of gold. The horizon stretched out as far as he could see, and in every direction, drifting islands floated like suspended dreams.
The Sky Island they stood on was a lush expanse of green and blue, dotted with massive trees that sparkled as their leaves caught the sunlight. Waterfalls cascaded from its edges, the streams of water plummeting down into nothingness before turning into clouds of mist below. He marveled at the sprawling forests, the meadows dotted with flowers that shimmered as if made from gems, and the cliffs that rose like the spires of ancient castles. There was even what looked like a port-city in the outskirts of the island, towards the south. Villages and towns were spread out in the area, all of them kept outside of the mysterious mist that covered most of the island.
Beyond, other Sky Islands floated, each one distinct—some were covered in dense jungles, their trees so massive that their roots spilled over the edges like vines. Others were barren, but their rock formations twisted into impossible shapes, like the skeletons of ancient creatures turned to stone. There were even islands surrounded by a halo of water, creating shimmering, reflective surfaces that glowed like mirrors in the light.
“Whoa…” Bo breathed, his voice barely a whisper as he took in the majesty of it all.
Lucy smirked, her wings shimmering in the sunlight. “Beautiful, isn’t it?”
Bo couldn’t respond; his eyes were fixed on what lay beyond. The islands weren’t just floating—they were connected by a massive network of rivers, each one shimmering with a brilliant blue glow as they wove through the sky like veins of energy. They formed a vast, interconnected web, a sea of rivers that linked the islands together and stretched out into the distance, threading through the clouds and weaving between islands.
“Those are the Celestial Rivers,” Lumi’s voice chimed in, her tone soft and guiding. “They connect the Sky Islands and are home to many forms of life. They flow with an energy that sustains the islands and the creatures that inhabit them.”
Just as she finished, Bo’s attention was drawn to a massive shadow passing beneath their island. He watched, awestruck, as a gargantuan creature resembling a whale emerged from the mist below. Its enormous, sleek form glided effortlessly through the air, its body glowing with iridescent hues as it breached the surface of the rivers. A deep, resonant roar echoed through the sky as it passed, its tail creating ripples of light that spread across the rivers and clouds.
“Sky Whale,” Lumi informed him. “A magnificent creature. It soars through the Celestial Rivers, feeding on the ambient energy and smaller skyfish. Often seen as a symbol of prosperity and fortune.”
Bo watched in wonder as the Sky Whale circled the islands, its movements so graceful it seemed to dance with the currents of the rivers. Its presence was both majestic and serene, a reminder of just how vast and extraordinary this world was.
But that wasn’t all.
He saw various creatures flitting between the islands—some like giant birds with feathers that shone like gemstones, others with wings like butterflies, leaving trails of glittering dust in their wake. Massive serpents, their scales shimmering like polished metal, slithered gracefully between the rivers, coiling through the air as they hunted smaller creatures. Every corner of this world seemed alive with wonder.
And then, his eyes caught something even more fantastic—a fleet of ships, their sails billowing as they glided along the rivers. They looked like old sailing ships from his world, with masts and hulls, but they were unlike anything he had ever seen before. Each ship bore intricate carvings and symbols, and they didn’t just sail on the rivers; some floated above the waters, their hulls hovering as if propelled by an invisible force. Others flew freely among the clouds, their sails filled with colorful wind.
Bo watched, mesmerized, as one of the ships sailed past, its crew bustling about the deck. He could see figures moving, their cloaks fluttering as they adjusted the sails and guided the ship through the currents of the sky.
But it wasn’t just ships that caught his eye. Above the rivers, a castle of clouds drifted serenely, its spires gleaming like polished ivory. It was almost translucent, its walls shifting and swirling like mist yet holding a solid form. He watched as it floated gracefully, casting long shadows over the islands below.
Then he noticed people—riders gliding through the clouds on massive, shimmering swords, their stances confident as they balanced effortlessly. The swords cut through the air like graceful birds, and the riders moved as if surfing on waves, carving paths through the clouds with fluid, practiced motions.
Lumi’s voice chimed again. “Those are Aether Riders. They channel the Celestial Rivers’ energy to ride their enchanted blades. A popular mode of travel and combat here.”
Bo’s eyes were wide, taking in the grandeur of it all, when his gaze finally landed on the most shocking sight of all—the “miniature sun” hanging in the center of it all. It was beautiful, a vibrant sphere of swirling energy that glowed with a light far softer and more colorful than any sun he had ever known. It wasn’t just yellow; it pulsed with hues of red, blue, and green, all shifting and blending like an endless aurora. The rivers and islands seemed to orbit it, like a solar system, forming a cosmic dance of light and motion.
He felt his entire being shiver as he watched the aurora-like tendrils of light ripple from the sun, reaching out like the hands of some cosmic entity, touching each island with a gentle, warming caress. It was like the heart of this Shattered World—a source of life, energy, and beauty.
“This is… incredible,” Bo whispered, his voice filled with awe.
Lucy nodded, a rare smile softening her expression. “Welcome to the Shattered World, Bo. It’s a place full of wonders… and dangers. But it’s also one of the most beautiful places you’ll ever see.”
Bo couldn’t argue with that. As he hovered above the Sky Island, surrounded by the splendor of the rivers, creatures, and the resplendent sun, he felt like he had stepped into a dream.
“Let’s head back to the tower, I still have to finish things up. I did promise you a body after all.” Having said that, Lucy brought them down, but this time much slower.
----------------------------------------
As they descended back into the mist, Bo felt the world shift again. The vibrant expanse of the world above faded, replaced by the cold, heavy shroud of clouds that surrounded them. He glanced around, his senses on high alert, half-expecting to see the towering structure of the Eternal Tower somewhere below. But there was nothing—just mist stretching endlessly in every direction.
Lucy floated beside him, her eyes focused and her expression unreadable. She extended her hand, and with a slow, deliberate motion, she traced a series of runes in the air. The symbols glowed with an eerie, bluish light, their lines twisting and swirling like they were alive. The air hummed with energy, and Bo felt his soul pulse in response, drawn to the power she was wielding.
“Where is it?” Bo asked, scanning the area. “I thought we were going back to the tower?”
Lucy’s lips curled into a slight smile. “Oh, it’s here… just hidden.” She finished the last rune, and the space in front of them began to shimmer, like ripples spreading across a still pond. The mist parted, revealing a tear in the fabric of reality itself—a rift that glowed with swirling colors, like the inside of an opal.
Bo watched in awe as the rift expanded, growing large enough for them to pass through. Beyond it, the mist seemed to fold back on itself, creating an opening that revealed a hidden world—a massive structure that seemed to materialize out of nowhere.
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It wasn’t like any tower he’d ever seen. Its gargantuan spire pierced the sky, climbing so high that its peak vanished into a storm of chaotic energies above. The tower’s surface was covered in an intricate latticework of runes, glowing with a soft, pulsating light. They shifted and moved, like veins carrying magical energy throughout the structure. The stone itself wasn’t just gray; it shimmered, a mixture of silver, blue, and obsidian hues, each facet reflecting the surrounding mist and light.
The base of the tower was vast, with sprawling staircases and archways that led to numerous entrances, each one adorned with glowing sigils and symbols that seemed to whisper as they passed by. Massive pillars, carved with the forms of long-forgotten creatures and symbols from an age long past, held up sections of the structure, each one radiating an ancient and powerful energy. The stone seemed to hum with a life of its own.
Bo’s eyes widened as he took it all in. “How did I…?”
Lucy’s expression darkened for a moment, her eyes narrowing. “You slipped through the barrier undetected,” she said, her voice tinged with both curiosity and concern. “No one—nothing—should be able to enter without triggering the ward. Not since the last time…”
The weight of her words hung in the air, and Bo felt a shiver run through his form. He didn’t press the issue, but he couldn’t shake the feeling that there was more to this place than she was letting on.
They moved through the rift, and as soon as they crossed its threshold, the world shifted again. The mist dissolved, and they were surrounded by a different kind of atmosphere. It was like stepping into a pocket dimension. The air was clearer, warmer, and filled with the faint scent of ancient incense, something both floral and metallic.
“Welcome to the Eternal Tower,” Lucy announced, her voice echoing slightly as they floated toward its entrance. “This place… It’s not your typical castle. It’s a relic of one of the most ancient civilizations—one that predates even the Shattering of this world. A time when the Primordials walked the land and the sky wasn’t broken.”
Bo listened, his gaze wandering over the intricate carvings and glowing symbols that adorned the entrance. The doors themselves were enormous—each one a mosaic of glass and stone that depicted scenes of battles, beings of immense power, and landscapes that felt like glimpses into other worlds. The craftsmanship was beyond anything he could have imagined, the colors shifting and changing as they moved closer.
Bo then noticed a structure separate from the looming spire of the Eternal Tower. It sat nestled against the tower’s base, connected by a series of stone bridges and walkways that arched gracefully over small streams of flowing magic. It was far smaller than the tower, but still grand in its own right—a manor, its silhouette framed by the mist and the soft glow of floating lanterns that lined the pathways.
Lucy pointed toward it, a glint of pride in her eyes. “See that? That’s my home—and the kitchen and lab—which you escaped from. It’s where I conduct most of my experiments.” She grinned mischievously. “Can’t have my work interfering with the tower’s systems, after all. So I made a space just for my own… projects.”
The manor itself was large, but it looked almost cozy compared to the vastness of the tower. Its stone walls were carved with intricate patterns, each one pulsing faintly with the same magical energy that radiated from the tower. Crystal-topped spires jutted out from its roof, each glowing with a different hue—blue, green, violet—casting colorful light over the surrounding gardens. Vines covered the walls, their leaves vibrant and pulsing softly, as if they, too, were infused with the tower’s magic. There was also that minefield in front of it, stretching all the way to the “wall” of this protective dome that hid the Tower and its surroundings. Probably something Lucy herself had created, since it felt truly out of place compared to everything else here.
As they drew closer, Bo could make out the large windows that lined the manor’s walls. Through one, he glimpsed the kitchen he’d narrowly escaped from earlier. Copper pots and pans hovered above a countertop, while strange, glowing runes floated in the air, adjusting themselves as they worked to whisk ingredients and prepare dishes on their own. The scene looked almost peaceful—if he ignored the fact that the ingredients were likely alive.
“You’ve got quite a setup,” Bo muttered, his eyes trailing over the pathways that led in and out of the manor. “And… you draw energy from the tower itself?”
Lucy nodded, her expression satisfied. “The tower’s power is limitless. As long as it stands, it sustains the energy here. It’s the only way I can safely conduct my work without risking… accidents.” She winked. “Not that accidents don’t happen anyway.”
Bo floated closer, his eyes drawn to a series of vents that snaked their way along the side of the manor, leading into various points within the building. “So… when I escaped, those vents…”
Lucy’s grin widened. “Ah, you noticed! There are two ways out of the kitchen.” She gestured, and an image of the manor appeared before them, floating in the air like a hologram. “One vent leads outside—lucky for you, that’s the one you took. The other leads into the tower itself, deep into its lower chambers.”
Bo felt a chill at the thought of where he could have ended up. “And if I’d gone the other way?”
She gave a playful shrug. “Oh, you would’ve ended up in the depths of the tower. A very different place than my cozy little kitchen.” Her eyes twinkled with mischief. “You’d have seen some things that most would rather not. But then again, that’s all part of the adventure, isn’t it?”
He shivered, imagining the countless twists and turns he must have navigated to escape. “Guess I chose the right tunnel.”
“Or the wrong one,” Lucy teased, “depending on your perspective.” She hovered closer, her wings fluttering softly behind her. “The tower’s secrets are not for the faint of heart.”
Bo nodded, his gaze lingering on the manor and its connection to the tower. It all seemed so calculated—built with a purpose and layered with magic beyond anything he could fathom. Every corner, every bridge, every archway was etched with protective runes, all channeling power from the tower into the manor’s walls. It was a fortress within a fortress—a place of experimentation and chaos, yet balanced perfectly with the tower’s ancient magic.
His eyes drifted back to the towering spire. “I can’t imagine what’s inside there.”
“Oh, you will,” Lucy promised, her voice almost a whisper. “Soon enough.”
Lucy gestured, and the massive doors slowly creaked open, revealing the interior of the tower. As they stepped inside, Bo’s senses were overwhelmed by the sheer scale and complexity of the space.
The main hall was truly grand, its ceiling disappearing into darkness above. The walls were lined with columns, each one inscribed with runes that glowed a faint green and blue, their light casting long shadows across the polished stone floor. At the center of the hall, a series of floating platforms hovered in midair, connected by bridges made of golden light. They spiraled upward, leading to various levels and chambers.
The air was thick with magic, almost tangible. It crackled with energy, making the hair—or what would be hair—on Bo’s non-existent neck stand on end. Above, constellations seemed to form in the ceiling, glowing with silver light and shifting as if they were alive. He watched as stars and galaxies swirled above, their light reflecting off the walls and floors, creating a moving tapestry that felt like the night sky itself was contained within the tower.
Lucy guided him forward, her wings barely fluttering as she moved effortlessly through the air. “This is the Atrium of Echoes,” she explained, her voice echoing softly through the hall. “It was once a place of gathering—a hub of knowledge and power where the ancient beings exchanged wisdom and magic.”
Bo marveled at the glowing sigils etched into the floor, each one linked by delicate threads of light. “What do these symbols mean?”
“They’re the pathways,” she said. “Each one connects to a different chamber or section of the tower. The Eternal Tower isn’t just a structure—it’s a living repository. Every chamber holds a different aspect of ancient magic, technology, and knowledge. The energy you feel… It's the tower’s way of maintaining its integrity. It keeps the magic flowing. And it draws its energy from the astral storm you saw earlier, covering the top-most areas of the tower.”
As they moved deeper inside, Bo noticed passages leading off the main hall, each one guarded by giant statues of fantastical creatures—ferocious-looking beasts, majestic birds, and even what seemed to be… Dragons. Bo could swear that their eyes glowed as they passed, following their movements, but when he looked back, they were silent, dead.
“These guardians once lived among us and protected the tower’s secrets, now they are a mere replica of their former selves, a part of them crafted into living golems,” Lucy said. “Long ago, wars were fought over this place. The Tower holds power and knowledge beyond anything this Shattered World has seen since the Primordials.” Her voice grew distant, and Bo could sense a twinge of bitterness.
He glanced up at one of the statues, its form looming above him. It looked almost alive, its stone surface rippling with energy.
“No one else has been here for… eons.” Lucy said, her gaze distant as they entered a smaller chamber. “After the wars, the tower was hidden—locked away so that no one could find it again. Not even those who once knew its location.” She paused, her eyes shadowed. “Most have forgotten it exists. And that’s how it must remain.”
The chamber they entered was smaller but no less impressive. Books floated in midair, their pages flipping as if an unseen hand was browsing through them. Orbs of light hovered above, casting a gentle glow over the rows of shelves stacked high with scrolls and artifacts. The walls were covered in runes, their lines glowing and shifting, and the floor held an intricate pattern that pulsed with energy, almost like a heartbeat.
“Knowledge, technology, spells, and relics from an age lost to time,” Lucy murmured as she gestured around the chamber. “It’s all stored here, hidden from those who would abuse it. The Eternal Tower is a sanctuary—a refuge for knowledge and a fortress against those who seek to control it.”
Bo looked around, feeling both awe and unease. The magic that pulsed through the tower felt old, almost sentient. It watched, listened, and he felt its gaze on him, assessing him. He couldn’t help but feel like he was in a place that was as alive as any creature—an entity of immense power, waiting and watching.
Lucy’s voice drew his attention back. “You see, Bo, this tower… It's more than just a sanctuary. It’s the key to understanding the world before it was shattered. It’s the last remnant of a civilization that touched the stars, that wielded magic as easily as breathing.”
As she spoke, she reached out and touched one of the floating runes, and the walls shimmered, revealing a vast map of the sky islands, the rivers, and the sun that connected them all. Lines of light traced the paths between them, showing a network of power and energy that stretched across the entire world. He then saw them all gather to form one grand planet, even bigger than the sun it orbited around…
“This was how it used to be,” she said, her voice softening. “A world connected, whole. Not the shattered fragments we have now. The tower was the center of it all—a beacon that once guided the energy of this realm.”
Bo stared at the map, his thoughts racing. “And now?”
“Now, it’s a relic,” Lucy replied. “But it also holds the knowledge and history of our world, and perhaps even the key to one day fix things.” She gave him a pointed look. “Which is why it must be protected. Always.”
Bo felt the weight of her words, the gravity of what he had stumbled upon. This place wasn’t just some castle—it was a monument of an ancient civilization, a fortress of knowledge, holding a vault of secrets that had been hidden for eons. A treasure trove for any thief or greedy and power-hungry person or faction.
What he didn’t know was that there were things far more dangerous and powerful than anything he could ever imagine that were trying to get their hands on what was hidden in this place. Their hunger and desire overshadowed anything else, and the only thing standing between them and this tower was… This little girl.
He glanced at Lucy, realizing just how much power she wielded. She wasn’t just a mischievous girl—she was a guardian of something far greater. And for some reason, she had brought him here, shared this with him.
The question was… why?