The atmosphere was heavy with charged, flaring emotions. Invisible sparks flew from the colliding glares between Thane and Duncan. The arrogant Duncan’s careless remark provoked Thane, and he shot back with an attack on Duncan where he knew it would hurt. Duncan’s face darkened as rage boiled inside of him.

Rumors of his father being a coward who used underhanded tactics to obtain his high-ranking guild position was a touchy subject. Like all gossip, the rumor was somewhat blown out of proportion. However, the core matter was true. Duncan’s father did obtain his position in the Fortuna Guild with threatening means, and he never did step foot outside the Ivory Tower, whether it be fear of the Dungeon or disdain at the non-Climbers who could only live outside.

Duncan blasted back at Thane’s remark with spit flying out of his mouth.

“My dad will always be better than you worthless pathetic non-Climbers! If you die, then you pieces of trash have only yourselves to blame! We don’t owe you shit! You bunch of parasitic leeches! ‘Bout damn time the Dungeon rid you of blood-sucking scum from this kingdom!”

Thane scowled back with a face twisting with rage. Duncan’s cutting words were not necessarily wrong, but exactly right either. The first guild’s original main purpose was created to help the last of humanity. However, humans controlled the guilds. Many split to form their own in order to better fit their true objectives and agendas.

Thane snapped. Anger blasted through the fragile dam, holding back his caged emotions. He lunged forward with clenched fists in Duncan’s direction, but Bradley held him back. Duncan was surprised at Thane’s reaction. Thane usually held Bradley back during his bullying. He saw the rage on Thane’s face and put two and two together. Duncan smirked at Thane.

“Your pathetic dad died, huh? Seems like the Dungeons finally did some good and took out the trash. Should have taken ‘poor’ and ‘broke’ along with him.”

Thane erupted with seething rage. He wildly tried to pry and push off Bradley’s hold of him to rush at Duncan, but Bradley desperately clung on. Bradley’s face and arms were heavily shoved and scratched as Thane tried to rip his friend’s arms off of him, but luckily Thane still had enough of his sane mind to not punch his friend.

“Thane! Calm down!” Bradley cried out.

Duncan only egged and taunted Thane more with a squeaky belittling tone. “Calm down, orphan bastard. Calm-“

The crowd immediately roared at Duncan and cut him off.

“The hell you talk’n ‘bout! My family died out here!”

“He called us scum. He was even glad the Heathens attacked us. That fool is siding with the Dungeons!”

“Damn Climber! You only say you're protecting us, but you only do so because the Ivory Tower is paying you!”

“Yeah! They get rewarded while we die! They don’t give a damn about those of us that have to live out here! We provide the food they eat, and this is the bullshit we get back!”

More and more non-Climbers from around the surroundings encircled Duncan and his posy. Duncan gritted his teeth and glared at Thane. He huffed and hurriedly pushed through the crowd, not daring to say more to trigger the masses. With Duncan and his group gone, Bradley sighed a breath of relief. Thane still seethed with anger, but the supporting masses gave him some consolation. Thane glared at Duncan’s disappearing figure and stopped struggling.

“Let’s go, Brad. We will become Climbers and get back at that damn Duncan later.”

Bradley huffed, slightly still out of breath from trying to hold back Thane. However, he arched one eyebrow and gave Thane a dubious eye.

Bro, what? You want to get back at Duncan now!? What about all the times I told you we would prank him in revenge? All you said, with your typical strict bossy voice, was, “It’s only going to make matters worse. Let the fool be.” What the heck is wrong with you!?

Bradley continued his thoughts, but he voiced them out.

“Who are you!? And what have you done to the Thane I know?! What happened to all the times when you said-“ Bradley lowered his voice and copied Thane’s same serious facial expression “The fool crossed the line. He needs to be taught a lesson.”

Bradley went silent, thinking carefully of how to say, “Don’t do something rash.”

“Thane… just nothing too serious, ok?”

“We’ll see.”

Thane walked off, and Bradley sighed.

“Hey, wait up, Thane! Geez! I could not get you to do anything before! Now you are rushing off without me! Hey! Come on!”

They moved through the crowd, walking under the massive and ornate stone archways. A giant and thick metallic double door remained wide open, but the duo of friends could not see past the darkness that enshrouded the entrance of the Ivory Tower. However, the two were long accustomed to daily entry through the Tower to get to the academy located inside. They walked with the crowd and entered. However, they immediately stopped with shock and disbelief when they entered the Tower.

The massive lobby of the first floor of the Tower was a chaotic mess of destruction just like the outer parts of the Lazar Kingdom. An unusually large number of Climbers guarded the area, especially around the center of the lobby area with the partially crumbled statue of Lady Gwenievre.

Thane and Bradley look back at each other in stupor.

“Thane, did the Heathens get inside the Ivory Tower?”

“There’s no other explanation.”

Thane grew alarmed at a sight that caught his eyes, and he motioned Bradley to look across the packed lobby area. The two stared at the archways across the massive lobby. Half-burnt crops salvaged and brought out of the field dimensions of the Tower were hurriedly taken out by the non-Climbers. They attempted to take them outside the Tower but were stopped by the Climbers. All the food would temporarily not be allowed to be taken and was currently being rationed by the Tower.

“The Heathens also burned the crop fields?! Are they trying to kill us by starving?!” Bradley shouted.

Thane clenched his fists. The Dungeon’s scheme was more than he understood. It was now more apparent to Thane that the enemy he was going to deal with needed careful planning, and even then success was uncertain.

But Bradley was right about the attempts to starve the inhabitants of the Lazar Kingdom. The Dungeon’s invasion was a three-pronged attack: the first, the destruction of the walls, the second, the taking of the non-Climbers and killing of the Tower Infidels, and the third, the attack on the fields, food storages, and the Tower itself. And the Dungeon succeeded to some degree on all three fronts.

“Let’s go. We don’t have a moment to lose,” Thane said with a cold tone.

Bradley nodded, and they headed up the guarded stairs to the second level of the Tower. Telling their purpose to the guards, they were allowed passage. Thane looked ahead as he climbed the stairs to acquire the power he needed. Bradley looked down at the broken stone statue of Lady Gwenievre that seemed to look back at the two as they walked up to acquire their contracts.

Emerging from the stairs, the duo entered another massive and expansive circular stone room in the shape of the Tower. The nearly empty room was cold and gray. Stone columns rose up endlessly from the floor and disappeared into the dark, which one could only eventually assume to be the ceiling.

However, in the center of the enormous room, on an elevated platform and the only place with a strong source of light that illuminated the surroundings, stood six immense statues. Rays of soft silver light beamed down at sculptures as if beckoning and drawing Thane and Bradley towards them.

The duo of friends slowly walked with caution towards the statues. They’ve seen the first statue many times as it was the same as the one on the first floor. However, now the lifeless statues seemed to gaze at their every move.

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In the middle of all the statues, the first and most noticeable statue was the towering sculpture of Lady Gwenievre, standing poised and elegant with her arms slightly lifted and extending out in a welcoming and warm embrace. A soft look of pity glanced down from her eyes at the duo from above.

Thane and Bradley suddenly froze from an unexpected chiming voice that somehow reverberated from the statue of Lady Gwenievre.

“Welcome, to the Chamber of Initiation of the Ivory Tower. Oh, tired souls, you have been through much. May you find solace and what you seek here on the second floor. May I ask if you are both willing to enter a contract with the Towers?”

Thane froze. He did not expect to directly interact with the owner of the Ivory Tower.

“Yes, my lady!” Bradley exclaimed.

Thane loosened up and curtly responded, “Yeah.” He still didn’t think well of the Towers or Dungeons.

“Then it shall be done. The five statues here before you represent the five heroes of legend. They are your ancestors, who fought against the Dungeons through the ages. They are the epitome of the classes they represent. Do not be alarmed. You will now be transported to begin your selection. Once you complete your decision of your path, you will return to the Chamber of Initiation. Now go.”

The statue of Lady Gwenievre snapped her fingers, and the noise echoed into the area while Thane and Bradley immediately vanished. Lady Gwenievre’s eyes remained at the spot where the two disappeared, thinking deeply of something that bothered her.

Become strong, my future Climbers. The Dungeons grow restless. However, there is a foul disturbance in the universe. I sense it. Something is amiss. Something is coming. Only your own power can save yourselves and your kind.

Thane hovered, slowly descending in darkness until his feet touched the hard ground. He flinched at the sudden feeling of something against his body. However, with no further action ensuing, Thane relaxed as he understood that he now set foot on solid ground.

Where am I? Thane thought, glancing around in the darkness.

But he could not see anything in the pitch-black area. However, he did hear something. It was low and repeated itself in a slow thumping manner. It felt calming as Thane’s anxious heart slowed to match its rhythm.

“Hello? Lady Gwenievre? What am I supposed to do?”

Suddenly, a blue flash of light burst in front of Thane.

…………………………

Welcome to the true Chambers of Initiation!

…………………………

In the beginning, there was only darkness.

Light only comes to be when a path is taken.

The Towers greet you, potential new Climber!

You have been evaluated and accepted as a qualified candidate. The choice is now yours.

To be a Climber of the Towers means power but also responsibilities. You will be given a contract that will grant you new-found abilities, but your path to success will be determined by your own efforts to grow.

Our enemy is one and the same: the invading Dungeons that seek to enslave all mankind. Be warned that you will also be required to fulfill any mandatory quests assigned by the Towers. But note that you will be compensated with Tower Tokens and Points, which can be exchanged for valuable skills and items.

If you choose to accept the contract, you will also gain the privilege of living in the Tower.

Will you accept the Tower’s Contract?

…………………………

(Accept) ( Decline)

…………………………

Thane did not hesitate. He immediately stabbed his pointing finger down at the ‘accept’ selection with determination for revenge. Another blue popup screen appeared.

System Notification

…………………………

Congratulations!

As a new Climber, you will now begin the class selection process.

Be advised, as a Climber, you will have one permanent main class, while your second class is swappable. You may pick and obtain as many as you want for your second class, but we recommend focusing on a select few. Again, your primary class is unchangeable once chosen.

Your secondary class may be chosen later.

However, you must choose your main class now.

Now choose.

(Warrior) (Mage) (Priest)

…………………………

Thane looked at the options and selected ‘mage.’ Suddenly, light erupted from a tiny point in the darkness. It bubbled, growing larger and larger, expanding to critical mass. It exploded with massive force, blasting shiny particles outwards into the surrounding darkness like shooting stars in the night sky.

Thane hurriedly raised his arms to shield his face, but the scattering debris of light simply phased through him. A shimmering path appeared in the darkness, now lighting Thane’s way.

System Notification

…………………………

You have chosen your main class as a mage!

The path of magic and the supernatural opens before you! Endless opportunities open before you!

Use your will to shape the world as you desire!

Stats page unlocked!

Quest page unlocked!

Tower Marketplace unlocked!

Inventory page unlocked!

Mana stat unlocked!

All various mage paths unlocked!

Bestowed base skill: Mana Manipulation

Bestowed base skill: Meditation

The Towers congratulate you, new Tower Climber!

The Dungeons are ruthless and relentless.

Grow.

Become strong.

Save your world and people from extinction.

…………………………

A new power surged from within the depths of Thane’s body. It seeped out and radiated from within, making him glow with a soft white light. He lifted his arms up and flipped his hands back and forth while observing the odd glowing phenomenon from his body. He felt power like never before. Albeit it was small for now, the new energy felt like a youthful child, running endlessly with unlimited potential.

A sudden snap of fingers resounded with the area, echoing into the starry darkness. Thane suddenly vanished and reappeared before the sculpture of Lady Gwenievre and the other statues of his predecessors.

Thane appeared first, before Bradley phased into the room and plopped down to his knees with a thud.

“Welcome back, my Climbers. You have made a good decision. Only through your newfound power will you be able to fight against the horrid Dungeons.”

Bradley quickly jumped up but only to then kneel down on one knee. Thane arched one eyebrow and gave his kneeling friend an odd look. He did not follow suit but instead only crossed his arms and looked on warily at the owner of the Ivory Tower.

Bradley shouted too excitedly, and his voice cracked. “By your grace, my L- Lady! It is an honor to serve you.” Bradley’s face blushed pink from embarrassment.

A small chuckle rippled from Thane while the statue of Lady Gwenievre cracked a smile. Bradley glared at Thane, but his face now brightened red like a tomato.

The Tower owner decided to show Bradley some sympathy and changed the subject.

“You both took the first step, but there is still much to do. You must choose how to grow on your path. Many splits and bumps will come along your journey. I recommend specializing in a branch of your class.”

“Thank you for your wise words, my Lady!”

Thane rolled his eyes at his flustered friend.

Lady Gwenievre chuckled but continued. “You will now also have access to the Tower Marketplace through the System interface. There, you can purchase many things with Tower Tokens received from completing quests.”

Bradley looked at the statue of Lady Gwenievre with a mesmerized face, nodding his head fervently.

“Keep in mind your secondary class. You may choose them when you are ready by opening your status page and selecting the option. Do any of you have questions?”

Bradley was out of it. Thane sighed at what he thought was a now love-struck friend.

With a pointed tone, Thane gruffed, “I do. Quests. Where do we get them?”

Bradley jerked and turned to look at Thane’s somewhat rude way of asking and whispered shouted, “Dude! Manners!”

Lady Gwenievre glanced at Thane, curious about his behavior. Most revered her, but the curious one glaring at her was not like many of her other Climbers. She’s seen scheming faces and many other varieties as well. However, the anger, almost borderline hatred, was only seen in Heathens. It was peculiar.

“My dear new Climber, you shall find what you seek in your System Interface. Simply think what you desire, and it will open the quests page. For now, not many quests are assigned to you as you are still a beginner. However, you can take on additional quests from the general quest board, should you choose. Any more questions?”

“No,” sharply responded back.

“Bro!” Bradley shouted at Thane. Thane huffed and looked away. Bradley turned up and looke at the statue of Lady Gwenievre with a face of remorse.

“I apologize on behalf of this foolish friend of mine. Thank you, Lady Gwenievre. We hope to see you soon! Come on, Thane! Hurry up! Time to go!”

Bradley bowed his head and shoved Thane from his back toward the stairs. As they descended far enough down the stairwell, Bradley hissed a whispered shout at his discourteous friend.

“Thane! What the heck was that?! Why were you so rude to Lady Gwenievre?! She is the owner of the Ivory Tower! What if you get onto her bad side?!”

Thane disregarded all the furious concerns from his friend, only smirking back at him. “She’s quite the beauty, isn’t she, Brad? Do you like her?”

Bradley waved his hand wildly as he tried to reject the statement. “No! No! How could I dare?”

“So you’re calling the Lady ugly?”

“Thane! No! She is the most beautiful woman I have ever seen!”

“Hah! Finally admitting it, lover boy?”

Bradley froze as Thane chuckled down the steps. Getting a hold of himself, Bradley called out to his friend. “Thane! It is not like that! Thane? Hey! Wait up!”

Walking down the steps from the high ceilings of the lobby floor, Bradley took a moment to let everything that happened sink in.

“Holy crap, man! One moment, I am inside the Tower, and then the next I am not. Now I am on the lobby floor again.”

Thane smirked. “We should’ve made a bet on who would become a Climber first. I would’ve won, and you would have to follow one of my orders.”

“Fat chance! There is a reason I will be the Guild Master. It is because you will be taking orders from me!”

“Then I’m just going to have to snag that role from you then, won’t I, ex-guild master? Haha!”

“You can try, Thane! But the Guild Master will be me!”

The two joked and bickered all the way back down to the lobby floor of the Ivory Tower.