Two weeks had passed since the chaos of the Discharge, and the world had begun to adapt to its new reality. Nyx's thoughts simmered, processing the transformations, both of the world and of his group. But now, standing before the Tower, the anticipation felt almost electric.
"It's hard to believe we're actually here," Lucas gasped, eyes wide with a mix of awe and disbelief.
Ryan nodded, his voice tinged with equal parts relief and tension. "Yeah, it's something all right. A real fortress in the middle of this mess."
The Tower loomed ahead, unyielding and imposing. It was a monolithic structure, jet black and gleaming under the harsh sun, its glossy exterior an unbreakable contrast to the chaos that had consumed everything around it. It stood as a challenge, as a promise of trials to come.
It was a marvel of mystery, taller and more menacing up close than any of them had imagined.
"How the hell do we get in?" Lucas asked, squinting at the seamless black surface. The structure had no visible openings—no doors, windows, or even a crack. It was like an impenetrable, perfect pillar.
While Lucas and the others pondered, Nyx stepped forward, a strange sense guiding his movements. He approached the Tower with a quiet confidence, and as he did, a glowing blue panel materialized in front of him.
[ DO YOU DESIRE TO ENTER THE TOWER OF 'SEIRIX'? ]
[ YES / NO ]
Nyx's lips curved into a cold, almost amused smile. "What a dumb question," he muttered. Without hesitation, he spoke, "Yes."
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In an instant, Nyx vanished, his form swallowed by a flash of light. The others stared, stunned.
"What... What just happened?" Lucas stammered, his voice cracking with surprise.
Viktor frowned, his brows furrowed.
"Strange," he said. His usual bravado wavered, uncertainty slipping through.
Ryan, always the most thoughtful, stepped closer to the Tower. "Maybe if we…" he trailed off, reaching toward the Tower. A notification blinked into his view.
"Guys," Ryan called over his shoulder, gesturing for them to join. "Get closer. It's how he got in."
With apprehension thick in the air, the others moved forward. One by one, they vanished in flashes of light, pulled into the unknown.
Inside the Tower, they emerged into a grand, otherworldly space. It was as if the Tower's interior defied the laws of reality.
Instead of the cramped confines they expected, they found themselves standing in a massive hall, a cavernous library with shelves that stretched up infinitely.
The air was filled with the scent of ancient parchment, and everywhere they turned, there were books, tomes, and scrolls, creating a labyrinth of knowledge that felt both inviting and intimidating.
Lucas and Viktor took in their surroundings, awe written across their faces. "Where's the Boss?" Lucas started to ask, but his words faltered as he turned and spotted Nyx. The leader was standing at a sleek, modern counter, deep in conversation with someone unexpected.
The figure behind the counter was a small blond-haired boy, wearing round glasses that gave him an innocent, scholarly appearance.
He wore a plain white T-shirt and simple black pants, but his smile was anything but ordinary. It stretched wide, almost unnaturally so, curving from ear to ear in a way that made him seem less human.
"Great beginnings, Players," the boy greeted, his voice cheerful yet tinged with an unsettling undertone. "Welcome to the Lobby."
He adjusted his glasses, his grin never faltering. "You may address me as Spector." His eyes glinted, and something in his demeanor suggested that this being was far more dangerous than he appeared.
Lucas shivered, uneasy, while Viktor's fists clenched reflexively. Nyx, however, remained calm, his expression one of curiosity and intrigue.