Festive clamoring from excited children and their laughing parents passed through the thin window of Liam’s room. The lines on his forehead deepened into grooved wrinkles, formed from long periods of constant frowning.

He sat with his eyes closed on a makeshift bed, created from a pile of thin blankets. The darkness blacked out his sight, and he focused on the small sparks of origin energy, flickering like speckled stars of the night sky.

He inhaled a slow deep breath, attempting to draw in the energy into his body. However, the distracting sounds of the lively festival below his second-floor window broke his concentration. The flickering energy dissipated and roamed away. He failed to draw in any origin energy. Jutting his eyes open, the lines of his face further indented into a frown.

Fatigue weighed heavily on the dark circles below his eyes, but the exhaustion did not bother him. However, his lack of progress and inability weighed heavily on his mind.

Liam was always a thoughtful child growing up. He never asked for the things he saw the other children play with. Not once did he voice his wants. Even when his parents asked him what he would like, he responded with a cheerful smile and said, “it’s okay! All I need is you!”

However, he wasn’t always a thoughtful child. He once was like every other kid. But he changed after a close encounter with loss. He made a vow to himself after the terrible events of a stormy night.

His father came back from the Wilds drenched in blood and barely breathing. The shabby leather armor on his father’s chest was further ripped up and in shambles. His mother ran out and begged on her knees for a potion from their neighbors. She cried uncontrollably, trying to clean his father’s wounds. Her hands trembled, feeding the potion to his father. Their happy family dangled by a thread. And the young Liam stood there, powerless and unable to help.

He grew up that night. No longer did he think like a careless child. He vowed to help his loved ones.

But now, sitting on his makeshift bed, Liam was consumed in frustration. He was overwhelmed with his inability to live up to his vow and to do more for his parents. Year by year passed, and his fruitless endeavors stacked upon each other.

No matter if he stayed up all night, his circumstances did not change. The happy bantering outside only magnified his self-labeled incompetence.

He rubbed with the palm of his hand, smoothing out the wrinkles on his forehead.

“Dammit! How the hell am I supposed to focus with all this noise!” Liam shouted out at the happy people laughing and parading around outside.

Irritated from being unable to focus, he slammed the book of his breathing technique on the pile of blankets. A muffled thud echoed in his small room.

He stood up.

The old and worn-out floorboards creaked under the weight of his light frame. He barely took three steps to make it from the edge of the room to his curtainless window.

Liam looked out his window in his parent's house inside the slum district. They were the closest citizens to the protective walls, encircling the Lazar Kingdom. The impoverished and destitute inhabitants of the slums were the closest to the dangers of the Wilds outside. The world outside the walls long changed and mutated due to the invading dungeons. Those who could afford safety lived closer to the Ivory Tower at the center of the kingdom.

The first thing Liam always observed was the enormous Ivory Tower, piercing into the sky. It was a monumental piece that saved humanity from complete destruction. Light radiated off its ivory marble blocks, giving the tower a holy glow. Everyone revered the Tower as a beacon of hope in the fight against the Dungeons.

Every corner of the Lazar Kingdom was decked out in fancy decorations. Bouquets of flowers, streaks of silver ribbon, and colorful balloons lined the cobblestone streets leading to the Ivory Tower. The Lazar Kingdom was in full celebration.

This day was special. It was Revelations Day.

Today was an annual event where the youths who turned ten would be selected as future climbers of the Ivory Tower. And the Chosen, who turned sixteen, would take on the Tower’s first trial.

The warm laughter of children with their parents enjoying the festivities and snacks echoed through the Kingdom of Lazar.

Hidden behind the festive atmosphere were the anxious and worried thoughts of the countless parents bringing their children to be tested.

Today, the fate of their children was decided by the Ivory Tower.

Liam glanced around at the area of the slums.

The high number of guild members patrolling the streets was now a standard scene during the celebrations; however, that wasn’t the case six years ago when he was ten.

Liam recalled when he was ten, those six long years ago…

“Look, mom! Doesn’t that look yummy!” Dressed in worn-out patched clothes, an adolescent Liam of 10 years pointed at the skewers and smiled excitedly at his parents.

Liam’s messy curly brown hair waved in the wind. His stout nose and round eyes looked similar to that of the manly face of his father. However, he had the long round face of his pretty mother. He would soon be a charming adult man in six years.

“Oh my! That kabob smells and looks so good! I’ll make some for you tonight! Ok, Liam?”

Liam’s mother, Kanna, did her best to put on a smile, masking her pity and embarrassment. However, she could not hide the tears watering in her eyes. She clenched her empty coin pocket, unable to find the words to continue lying to her son.

“I’ll get us the biggest boar from the forest for dinner tonight! Be ready to fill your tummy up, son!”

Kanna’s husband, Leon, noticed his wife’s trembling hands. He tried to cover for his wife. However, the tone of his voice lacked enthusiasm and seemed forced.

Liam noticed their subtle hidden emotions. He sensed their guilt and immediately consoled his parents.

“It’s okay! I’m already very full! We already had some yummy salad and steak earlier! We don’t have to do anything else! We can just stay by the fire tonight, and you can tell me stories from outside the walls again!”

Liam was mature for his age and aware of his family’s tight financial circumstances. He was always thoughtful but had momentarily forgotten, while thinking of the mouthwatering skewers of roasting meat.

His parents gave him a sorrowful smile but didn’t say anything more. They had plans for a surprise meal just as they had said.

Liam’s parents were grateful to have such an understanding son but felt guilty they couldn't do more. Times too many, did they overhear the blaming and complaints of their neighbor’s children next door.

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

Their neighbors were accused by their children of their frugal and poor lifestyle. Liam was the polar opposite.

Today, however, all parents had hope. They hoped their children would be chosen by the Ivory Tower and live a better life than theirs.

Taking his parents by their hands, Liam pulled them to the steps leading to the Ivory Tower. “Let’s go, you guys! We can share stories the sooner we get this over with!”

The married couple looked gently at their son, who dragged them from ahead.

Letting the burdens on their minds rest, they all laughed and continued their small talk all the way up to the tower. Liam focused on dragging his parents and was oblivious to the snickers and smirks of the finely dressed others around him. But his parents ignored the belittling stares from the more privileged of their society.

Making it up the last step of the stairs, the family of three met with the compacted crowd, all with similar purposes as their own.

“Wow! There are so many people! Even during the busy hours of the day, there are never this many people!”

Liam glanced left and right, looking all around in excitement. There legitimately were many more people than usual. A sea of countless citizens stood tightly around the expansive plaza at the base of the Ivory Tower.

“Woooooow!!!” Liam looked up at the towering building, shooting up to the sky. He had never seen the tower up close before. Today was his first time seeing the enormous structure up close.

His parents, too, marveled at the colossal centerpiece of their kingdom.

“I never get tired of seeing the Tower. It still amazes me every time.” Liam’s father said in awe.

His wife said nothing, only nodding, following the tower with her eyes as it disappeared into the sky.

A loud voice reverberated through the masses and flowed out into the streets of the kingdom, drawing the crowds’ attention.

“Citizens of the Kingdom! We all come together this same day every year to celebrate the lucky children who will be chosen and given the honor to one day climb the Tower! Our livelihoods heavily depend on the men and women who risk their lives daily for the kingdom and all those who live in it! Please give a round of applause to thank the brave heroes you see here today!”

Cheers and applause burst from the crowd as they looked at five strapping men and four beautiful women standing on a stage in the area of the tower’s entrance.

Liam’s father lifted him up to allow him a better view of the Heroes, who descended from the Tower to be a part of the celebration. They were part of the leading Climbers of the Tower. Liam was excitedly watching the shiny Heroes who currently lived his hopes and dreams.

Liam imagined himself donned with a miniature version of the shimmering heavy armor and colorful robes of the people on the stage. He moved restlessly around on his father’s shoulders, trying to get a different angle of the heroes and their ensembles.

Liam had high hopes he would be chosen today. He didn’t care much for fame, but he definitely wanted the fortune.

Liam stopped moving, and he looked down at his parents. His eyes softened and slightly drooped down in pity, but then his eyes filled with concern.

He witnessed his parents’ struggle to survive every day.

He brought water and watched how they worked laborious heavy jobs, constructing buildings in the scorching sun to feed him.

He worried, seeing their backs as they left the protection of the kingdom walls to forage for wild herbs and game to sell.

He cried, watching his father's gruesome injuries, protecting his mother from mutated beasts and monsters.

They sacrificed their well-being for him. All of their efforts ingrained into his mind. With every bit of his being, Liam desired to give them a better life.

He knew the difficulties of the regular and poor folk, who could not summon out creatures and had no abilities.

The loud voice of the man continued speaking to the crowd.

“We are continuing the traditions that were created from the initial guilds who established the Kingdom of Lazar. Though many guilds have risen and fallen through the ages, this tradition still carries on. The nine heroes before you are part of the three major guilds who have come to see their fellow future climbers of the Tower! Please give them a round of applause!”

Cheers, whistles, and applause rang out for the Hero’s of Lazar. The nine heroes stepped forward, smiling and waving at the crowd. The announcer continued his speech.

“The three major guilds, Polaris, Adonis, and Fortuna, will be informed of all those children who pass! All children selected, regardless of social status, will be given the best secondary education at the kingdom’s academy, the Lazar Institute!”

The crowd roared in excitement at the chance of their children being new climbers.

“Now! We will begin the selection process. We have designated personnel stationed at the beginnings of lines located all around the Ivory Tower. The children will get in the lines, and staff members will direct them to touch the tower and await a reaction. If your child is not chosen, do not despair! The kingdom provides for all!”

The cheers lessened as the crowd gave scornful faces at the man’s statement. But still, some sarcastic claps were heard for mere appearances.

“...Tough crowd…Anyway! Parents! If you will bring your children to…”

BOOM! BOOOOM! BOOOOM!

The man’s sentence was cut short by bursts of powerful explosions shaking the event area. A barrage of meteors fired at the Ivory Tower ricocheted, hurling giant waves of molten fire toward the packed masses of people.

“AAAAAHHHH!!! HELP!!! HELLLP!!!”

“RUN!! IT’S THE DUNGEON HEATHENS!!! THEY’LL KILL US ALL!!!”

“WE WON’T MAKE IT! NOOOOO!! HELLLP!!!”

The Heathens, followers of the Dungeons plaguing the Wilds, attacked the Lazar Kingdom. The two sides had a long history entwined in battle and bloodshed.

The falling waves of fire consumed the people in the crowd and burned the closest escaping citizens into unrecognizable charcoal. The people screamed and panicked. One ran, then another, until they all ran, turning the masses into a full-on stampede.

The events occurred too fast for the representative of the guilds to react. They momentarily froze, not expecting such a brazen attack.

Chaos and madness spread like wildfire through the compacted masses of people. The small fallen children cried shrill screams of agony.

They were the first to fall and be trampled by the crazed masses. Their desperate cries for help were stomped on by the crazed masses, squashing them into a dead silence. More and more fell as the stampede mowed them down like grass.

This event was the first time in the history of the Kingdom of Lazar that the acts of terrorism from the Dungeon Heathens led to high fatalities, killing thousands of citizens, mainly children.

A loud bellow blasted out from the stage. One of the nine heroes took command as he quickly composed himself from the shocking events. The Hero Kai bellowed orders out to the running crowd.

“CITIZENS!!! ALL OF YOU STOP IMMEDIATELY!!! THE GUILDS ARE HERE AND WILL PROTECT YOU!”

Looking at the other heroes behind him, he called them into action.

“SIGNAL THE FLARES! CALL FORTH YOUR SUMMONS!”

Streaks of red, orange, and yellow light flew into the air, bursting in a ripple of colorful hues. With the emergency signals sent, all members of the three major guilds were alerted into action.

Donned in bronze heavy armor, the Hero Kai closed his eyes. He connected his energy with the soul houses where his contracted summon resided when they were not released upon the world.

The man’s armor shimmered from the radiating light coming off his body. He summoned his contracted creature.

“Come forth! Simus of the Abyssal Flames!”

A giant red and black striped tiger rushed out of a crack in space onto the stone floors, looking around eagerly for something to tear apart.

“ROOOOAARRR!”

The tiger let out a thundering roar, freezing all the citizens in place. “You called, brat?! Who do you want me to kill?”

“Simus, track the traces of the meteors! Kill those Heathen scourges who shot at the Tower! They shall pay with their lives!”

“HAHAHA! Done!” The bloodthirsty tiger’s eyes glowed red as it scanned the traces of residual heat and energy. “What luck! I'll rip apart and eat a human today!”

It identified the perpetrator in a black hooded cloak on the roof of a building nearby the Ivory Tower. The menacing tiger creature dashed off, crushing the stone slabs beneath its feet. It approached the hooded figure, ready to rip the person apart.