The oppressive atmosphere of the chamber pressed down on everyone as they regained their senses. Tyler, Livia, Darius, Elric, and the mercenaries found themselves in a massive, dimly lit chamber. Heavy iron bars surrounded them, forming a cage which seemed to hang in the air... Outside the cage a few yards away on a floating platform stood Thal’Kor, the Sentinel of Equilibrium, his eyes gleaming with malevolent curiosity.
Thal’Kor was a towering figure, easily reaching over ten feet in height. His entire body was encased in dark, crystalline armour that shimmered in the low light, each facet reflecting a spectrum of colours that added an otherworldly quality to his presence. The armour appeared almost as if it were grown rather than forged, its surface etched with intricate, glowing runes that pulsed with a faint, ominous energy.
His helmet, adorned with jagged, crown-like spikes, framed his face in an intimidating manner. The eyes behind the visor glowed with an eerie blue light, piercing through the dimness with an unsettling intensity. These eyes seemed to see through the very souls of those before him, scanning the group with a mixture of amusement and disdain.
The rest of his form was equally imposing. Broad, armoured shoulders and a thick, muscular build gave Thal’Kor a powerful silhouette. His gauntlets, covered in spikes and reinforced with additional layers of crystalline armour, ended in clawed fingers that looked capable of rending flesh and steel alike...
In his right hand, he wielded a massive Warhammer, the head of which was made of the same dark crystal as his armour. The hammer’s head was intricately carved with runes that glowed with an eerie light, and it seemed to hum with barely contained power. Each swing of this weapon left trails of crackling energy in its wake, and it was clear that a single blow could shatter both stone and bone with ease.
Thal’Kor’s voice was deep and resonant, carrying an authority that demanded attention. When he spoke, it echoed through the chamber like the tolling of a great bell, each word laden with a sense of ancient power and unyielding judgment. “Welcome, challengers. I am Thal’Kor and you have violated the balance. Now, face the Sentinel of Equilibrium and prove your worth.”
As he spoke, the runes on his armour flared brighter, casting eerie, shifting shadows on the walls and floor. The atmosphere grew heavy with the weight of his presence, and it was clear to all that Thal’Kor was not a being to be trifled with. He exuded an aura of both regality and lethal danger, making it apparent that this confrontation would be a true test of their mettle.
Tyler’s group and the mercenaries exchanged bewildered glances, their predicament clear but the path forward shrouded in uncertainty. Tyler didn't have to but click his fingers but decided he needed to show this guy they weren't intimidated even if it was just a show. With a flick of his fingers, everyone in his group had a mana shield around their bodies protecting them. As they gathered their wits, it became evident that Markus was no longer under the shadow’s control. The real Markus, now fully conscious, looked around in confusion. "Where am I? What's going on?"
The newest member of the group, Edward, blinked rapidly, his eyes adjusting to the dim light. He was the shadow creature who had been controlling Markus, but now he was just a regular man, freed from the delusions that had clouded his mind. “Well this is a new one” he said as his face showed confusion and then joy, pure unadulterated joy as he realized he was no longer in the endless dream he had been stuck in. Tears rolled down Edwards's cheeks as he fell to his knees. He was out, he was finally free...
Livia's eyes narrowed as she watched Edward. "You were the shadow," she said, her voice low and filled with accusation. She moved quickly, pinning him to the ground before he could react. "Why were you controlling Markus? What are you?"
Edward lay still under her grip, a look of joyous confusion on his face. "I'm sorry, I know not what you speak of. I have been trapped in an 'onirofor' for hundreds of years." He paused, seeing their blank expressions, and then clarified, Mmmm… a dream perhaps? I have been trapped in a dream?"
Tyler stepped forward, his expression hard. "Pick him up, Livia."
Livia nodded as pulled Edward up. Rolf followed Tyler as he stepped closer to speak to Edward.. Tylers tone was demanding but calm. "Explain yourself. Who are you, and why were you controlling Markus?"
Edward took a deep breath, his eyes calmly taking in the scene around him. "My name is Edward. I do not remember much of the last few hundred years... all endless dreams I think. Some sort of spell or dream control."
Elric, who had been silent up to this point, spoke up. "The shadow creature, I mean this man counted as the eleventh member. That's what triggered the teleportation."
Tyler turned to Elric, suspicion in his eyes. "How did you know about the shadow?"
Guilt washed over Elric's face. There was nothing he could say. Nothing he wanted to say. He knew he betrayed his only friends. ‘At least now they know.’ he thought as he looked Tyler in the eyes. “I am sorry my friend”
Before Tyler could respond, Thal’Kor's booming voice interrupted the tense conversation. "Ah, internal strife. How delightful. Continue, by all means. This is far more entertaining than I anticipated."
Tyler's eyes narrowed at Thal’Kor, but he turned his attention back to Edward. "We'll deal with Elric later. Right now, we need to focus on getting out of here.
The mercenaries, who had been watching the exchange with growing impatience, stepped forward. Rolf, the leader, addressed Tyler. "We don't have time for this. We need to find a way out now."
Tyler shot him a glance. "We're working on it. But first, we need to understand what we're dealing with."
Rolf’s face hardened. “We’re not seasoned climbers or adventurers. Tyler's eyes narrowed as he asked, "You mean bounty hunters? Why? Why send mercenaries with zero climbing experience after us?"
Rolf sighed. "Because experienced climbers would have been sent to the last floor they conquered. The tower automatically teleports seasoned adventurers to the floor above the last boss they defeated. It is rare to find a strong fighter who has not at least conquered the first 5 floors. Most Nobles and citizens would enter the dungeon on their 16th birthday already to gain placements for the academy. Frankly put, we were the only ones available who could do the job and wouldn’t get auto-teleported."
As the conversation continued, Tyler noticed Elric studying the runes on the walls of their new prison. Elric's eyes widened with recognition. "These runes... they shall modify this cage somehow when activated.” Thal’Kor's voice echoed through the chamber again. "You know, I have seen many challengers, many who thought they could outsmart the tower. They bring large armies. Hoping to overwhelm it. Most try to find a way out of this predicament. Not many stand around and argue."
Tyler nodded, thinking quickly. "Alright, let's start by figuring out what these runes mean. The rest of you, keep an eye on Thal’Kor and be ready for anything."
Tyler was examining the runes on the walls. "These are ancient. They govern the balance of this chamber. If we can understand them, we might be able to manipulate them to our advantage."
As they worked, Elric approached Tyler, his expression contrite. "I'm sorry, Tyler. I didn't know it would come to this."
Tyler didn't say anything, the tension in the chamber was palpable as the group worked together, their fates intertwined in this deadly confrontation. Rolf, looking uneasy, stepped forward. "We don't have time for this. We need to find a way out now." Tyler shot him a glance. "We will. But first, we need to figure out what we're dealing with. Thal’Kor said something about proving our worth. Maybe there's a way to satisfy him without fighting." Thal’Kor's eyes gleamed with amusement as Tyler decided to activate the runes himself.
Suddenly the ground beneath the group shifted. The floor split into two large platforms, each surrounded by high iron bars, creating two separate cages now with an opening between them. The group was divided unevenly, with six people in one cage and five in the other. Tyler, Livia, Edward, Markus, and Rolf ended up in one cage, while the rest were in the other. The cage with six people began to descend slowly, and the sound of bubbling liquid became audible.
“What’s happening?” Livia shouted, trying to keep her balance as the platform tilted slightly.
Thal’Kor’s voice echoed with a sinister amusement. “You must restore balance. One side of the scale is heavier. The excess weight must be removed.”
The side with six people was descending towards a pool of acid. The realization dawned on everyone: they had to sacrifice someone to stop the descent. Tyler’s mind raced. There had to be another way. Tyler started looking around for a rope or something they could use to connect with the other group but he didn't have anything long enough in his dimensional inventor that would bridge the massive gap.
Tyler looked around desperately. "We need to lighten the load! Everyone, throw out anything you don’t need!" but as they looked at each other it seemed they were teleported to this room with nothing but their clothes.
Thal’Kor’s laughter filled the chamber. “You think trinkets will balance the scales? It’s not the “He wants one of us to sacrifice ourselves for the group,” Marek said in a calm voice. A thousand things flashed through his mind as he made peace with ending it all. The truth was that Marek was unhappy. In fact, he had been unhappy for a long time.
Marek had lost his wife and child in a tragic accident years ago, an event that had shattered his world. Since then, he had been drifting, taking on dangerous missions, hoping one would end his suffering. He had thrown himself into his work, using the perilous life of a mercenary as a means to escape the relentless pain that gnawed at his heart.
This last mission, he had hoped, would be the one to finally release him from his torment. The constant brushes with death, the near misses, and the brutal fights had given him a grim solace, a distraction from his inner agony. When they received the assignment to retrieve Tyler’s group, Marek had seen it as just another chance to meet his end.
Now, as the acid drew closer, he felt an unexpected calm wash over him. This was it—the moment he had been waiting for. A way to end it all and save his comrades in the process. It was a sacrifice he was willing to make, a final act of redemption for the family he had failed to protect.
With a final, resolute breath, Marek stepped forward towards the acid, his face serene as he accepted his fate. He walked steadily into the bubbling, corrosive liquid, his body engulfed in moments. The acidic fumes rose, hissing and spitting, as Marek disappeared beneath the surface. His final act of sacrifice was a somber end to his turmoil, leaving only ripples and the acrid stench as a testament to his passing.
Tyler blinked, stunned by Marek's sudden decision. "Well, I didn't actually think someone would do it," he muttered, a touch of dark humour slipping into his voice. "Guess we owe him one."
Thal’Kor’s deep, resonant voice echoed through the chamber. “One life is not enough to balance the scales,” he declared, his glowing eyes fixed on the group. “The weight of your collective existence has tipped the balance. More must be sacrificed to restore equilibrium.”
Tyler then realised they didn't have to decrease the weight they just needed to add more weight to their own side. He remembered the massive body of the wyvern creature he had stored in his dimensional inventory before entering the dungeon.
In a last-ditch effort, Tyler pulled the enormous corpse from his inventory. It landed with a heavy thud on the platform, causing it to jolt and then stop its descent. The acidic pool bubbled menacingly just inches below the platform.
Thal’Kor fell silent, his eyes narrowing as he took in the sight. “Interesting. Very interesting.”
The platform began to rise back to its original position. The others stared at Tyler in shock and relief. Thal’Kor waved his hand again, and everyone now stood in a new room, the two cages vanished. The group found themselves together once more, the tension palpable.
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Thal’Kor’s form shimmered, and he began to shrink, transforming into a more human-like figure. He approached Tyler, his expression now one of curiosity rather than amusement. “You have surprised me once again. This is extremely peculiar!”
With another gesture, Thal’Kor teleported everyone once again, the group found themselves in what appeared to be a waiting room, starkly different from the chamber they had been in. It looked like a doctor’s office waiting room, complete with uncomfortable chairs and outdated newspapers scattered on a coffee table.
Thal’Kor, now much smaller and human-looking, motioned for Tyler to follow him. “I wish to speak with you privately. The rest of you will wait here.”
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Tyler stepped into the small office, which was furnished with a cluttered desk, a couple of mismatched chairs, and an array of bizarre trinkets lining the shelves. The room had an odd, cozy charm that contrasted sharply with the ominous chamber they had just left. Thal’Kor, now appearing as a somewhat eccentric yet imposing figure, motioned for Tyler to sit.
"Please, have a seat. I must say, it’s not often I have visitors. Especially ones who don’t end up in my acid bath," Thal’Kor said, gesturing to a chair.
Tyler sat cautiously. "I’m not sure whether to be flattered or terrified."
"Why not both? Keeps things interesting," Thal’Kor replied with a grin.
"So, what’s this all about? Why the sudden interest in a group of random adventurers?" Tyler asked, leaning back in his chair.
Thal’Kor’s expression grew serious. "I’m interested in that corpse you pulled out of your inventory. The 50th floor boss. Reviving him is my priority."
"Why? Who was he to you?" Tyler asked, curious.
"He was a rival, a powerful one. We had... differences. When he left the tower and attacked the city, it caused quite a stir. There’s major infighting on the 50th floor for his position right now. Reviving him would bring back the balance," Thal’Kor explained, his eyes narrowing slightly.
"Why did he attack my party? Was it a coincidence or was he after me specifically?" Tyler asked.
Thal’Kor leaned forward, his interest piqued. "That, my dear boy, is a question only he can answer. If we revive him, we should be able to find out."
"Alright, I’ll help you, but I have conditions," Tyler said, his tone firm.
"I’m listening," Thal’Kor replied, intrigued.
"I want a mobile smith for Darius, rare metals, a very high-quality bow for Livia, and a fully furnished mobile cabin with soft beds, a bathroom, hot water, and a small kitchen. Weapons and armor for the rest of my group, removal of our slave brands, passage as high up in the tower as possible, and the mercenaries hunting us teleported out of the tower," Tyler listed.
Thal’Kor raised an eyebrow. "Quite the list. You drive a hard bargain."
"You want to revive a powerful floor boss, and all I want is a few of your abundant resources. I think it’s a fair trade," Tyler responded.
Thal’Kor grinned. "Alright, let's break this down. A mobile smith for Darius, you say? Do you envision a full workshop on wheels, with all the tools he needs?"
"Yes, exactly. Something that can move with us and be set up quickly wherever we go. He needs to be able to work efficiently no matter where we are," Tyler explained.
"Very well. And rare metals – are you looking for specific types or just a general assortment?" Thal’Kor asked.
"An assortment would be good. Mithril, adamantium, anything that can help us craft stronger weapons and armour," Tyler answered.
Thal’Kor nodded. "A very high-quality bow for Livia. You will need to add the magic yourself."
"That works. She just needs the best craftsmanship you can provide," Tyler said.
"And a fully furnished mobile cabin. This is quite luxurious. Soft beds, a bathroom, hot water, and a kitchen. You are asking for a portable home," Thal’Kor remarked.
"Yes, we need a place to rest and recover, especially after tough battles. Comfort is key to keeping morale high. Oh, and stock it with some food, thanks," Tyler added as an afterthought.
Thal’Kor continued, "Weapons and armour for the rest of your group. I assume you want these to be of the highest quality?"
"Exactly. We need to be well-equipped to handle whatever the tower throws at us," Tyler confirmed.
"Removing your slave brands. This is a delicate matter. Are you certain this is possible?" Thal’Kor asked, his tone more serious.
"You’re a powerful entity. If anyone can remove them, it’s you," Tyler replied confidently
"Yes, but the magic to remove a slave brand requires a life sacrifice, so this could get complicated," Thal’Kor said.
"Passage as high up in the tower as possible. I assume you mean skipping floors?" Thal’Kor inquired.
"Yes. We need to get as high as we can. Doesn’t have to be a safe zone," Tyler clarified.
Thal’Kor sighed. "I’ll have to negotiate this with other floor bosses. It’s not something I can guarantee immediately."
"Fair enough, we can wait. Don’t forget to find out why the 50th-floor boss attacked us," Tyler said.
"His name is Palin, or Lord Palin if you ask him. Not very agreeable I must tell you." Thal’Kor interrupted.
"Palin? Alright. Don’t forget to find out why he attacked us," Tyler reiterated.
"Of course. I will contact you with the answer if I can get one for you at a later date. For now, I will ask you to wait while I make arrangements. Let's go find your friends," Thal’Kor agreed, a smile playing on his lips.
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Tyler hesitated but nodded, following Thal’Kor into a small office off to the side. The door closed behind them, leaving the others to wait anxiously outside.
The mercenaries and Tyler’s group stood in uneasy silence, the tension palpable. Livia, Markus, Elric, Darius, and Edward, along with the mercenaries, were still processing the chaotic events that had just transpired. Elric glanced around nervously, his eyes flicking to the door of the office where Tyler had disappeared with Thal’Kor.
Everyone tried to find a place to sit, looking around awkwardly. The room was small, and the chairs were limited. Everyone seemed to find a seat except Zara and Elric, leaving only one small couch. Zara quickly claimed the couch, sitting down with a determined look.
Elric hesitated, glancing at the small couch where Zara was sitting. She gave him an icy glare that could have frozen fire, clearly not wanting to share the space. But with no other options, Elric began to lower himself slowly onto the couch, his movements exaggeratedly careful as if sitting too fast might cause an explosion.
Zara's eyes narrowed, and she shifted slightly to the side, making a show of trying to take up as much space as possible without actually lying down. Elric, now halfway seated, paused and glanced at her, offering a sheepish smile.
"Uh, there's nowhere else to sit," Elric said, his voice barely above a whisper.
Zara rolled her eyes dramatically, letting out an exaggerated sigh. "Fine, just... don’t touch me," she muttered, crossing her arms and looking away.
Elric, now perched awkwardly on the edge of the couch, tried to make himself as small as possible. He shifted a few times, attempting to find a comfortable position, but every slight movement seemed to annoy Zara more.
“Seriously?” she snapped as Elric accidentally nudged her with his elbow. “Can you be any more annoying?”
“Sorry, sorry,” Elric mumbled, his face turning red. He leaned even further forward, almost falling off the couch in his attempt to give Zara more space.
The mercenaries and Tyler’s group, watching the spectacle, couldn’t help but exchange amused glances. The tension in the room was momentarily broken by the awkward dance between Elric and Zara, the two of them trying to coexist on the tiny couch.
Kade, the brawny warrior, cleared his throat and picked up one of the old newspapers. “What the hell is this? These newspapers are ancient.”
Rolf leaned over to look. “What’s it say?”
Kade read out loud, “‘Strange Insect Plague Threatens Northern Realm.’ Sounds like something out of a horror story.”
Zara, the sharp-eyed scout, chuckled despite herself. “Realm" Zara contemplated the word "must be before the Empire.”
Kade continued, “Listen to this: ‘The Great Devourer Swarms Unstoppable.’ Apparently, some kind of insect army was swarming the northern realm, whatever that means. They called it the ‘Great Devourer.’ According to this, whole towns were being wiped out. Creepy.”
Livia frowned. “That’s unsettling. Do you think it’s related to the tower somehow?”
Elric, trying to scoot further away from Zara without making it obvious, shrugged. “Who knows? The tower has always been shrouded in mystery. Maybe it’s part of some larger plan.”
Markus, still looking bewildered, glanced around. “Can someone explain why we’re reading thousand-year-old newspapers in a waiting room?”
Zara chuckled again, her earlier irritation melting slightly. “Welcome to the tower, Markus. Expect the unexpected.”
The room settled into a more subdued atmosphere, the tension slightly eased by the strange normalcy of reading outdated newspapers.
Kade, the brawny warrior, cleared his throat. “So... anyone knows how long these things usually take?”
Rolf, the mercenary leader, shrugged. “No idea. This is a first for us.”
Livia leaned back, trying to find a more comfortable position in her chair. “Feels like waiting for a healer's appointment.”
Zara chuckled again. “Yeah, but instead of healing, we might get sentenced to death.”
Markus, looking dazed and confused, blinked and shook his head. “What happened? Last thing I remember, we were in the base.”
Edward, who had been in a dream-like state, rubbed his temples. “I feel like I just woke up from a weird nightmare. Where are we?”
Elric looked at Markus with a mixture of relief and guilt. “It’s a long story, Markus. We’re trying to figure it out ourselves.”
Darius, always practical, sighed. “Well, while we’re here, we might as well get to know each other. Who knows, we might end up having to work together.”
Rolf nodded, leaning forward. “Fair enough. So, what’s your story?”
Zara looked at Livia with a curious expression. “You must be Lady Livia Aranor.”
Livia stiffened, her eyes narrowing. “How do you know that name?”
Rolf smirked. “Someone recognized you at the banquet. Word travels fast in noble circles.”
Livia’s eyes flickered with a mix of anger and fear. “What do they want with me?”
Rolf shook his head. “Well, we are supposed to bring you back alive if that helps. But it seems like there’s more to this story. Was the plan to beat the sixty fifth floor and regain your noble status by empire decree perhaps Lady Livia?”
Darius frowned. “what decree?”
Rolf leaned back, crossing his arms. “The Empire has a decree. Anyone who helps conquer the tower and gets past the 65th-floor boss gets a noble title. It’s a way to incentivize climbers and keep the strongest adventurers under the Emperor’s control by making them nobles.”
Elric, curious, asked, “Why does the Emperor want to conquer the tower so badly?”
Zara sighed. “The tower is full of legends. Some say whoever reaches the top can get any wish they want or gain ultimate power. The Emperor wants to find out the truth.”
Edward, still trying to piece everything together, asked, “And what’s so special about the 65th floor?”
Zara explained, “The 65th floor boss is a major hurdle. No one has ever beaten it. The Empire figures anyone who can get past that has earned their keep.”
Livia, deciding to reveal just enough, added, “It’s not just about control. The Emperor wants to unlock the tower’s secrets and gain power. That’s why the decree exists.”
Zara nodded thoughtfully. “If Marek were here, he’d probably have a whole diatribe on the matter, going on about how it’s all a power play by the Emperor to consolidate control, or something equally grandiose.”
The room fell silent as everyone suddenly realized they had completely forgotten about Marek’s sacrifice. The memory of him stepping into the acid resurfaced, bringing with it a wave of guilt and sorrow.
“Oh god, Marek!” Kade exclaimed, his face paling. “I can’t believe we just...”
Zara’s eyes widened with horror. “How could I forget? Marek... he sacrificed himself for us.”
The mercenaries and Tyler’s group exchanged sombre glances, the weight of Marek’s loss settling heavily on them. The jovial, awkward atmosphere from moments before had vanished, replaced by a somber silence.
Kade shook his head, his voice thick with emotion. “He was a good man. He always put the team first, even when he was struggling himself.”
Rolf nodded, his expression grim. “Marek had been through a lot. Losing him like that... it’s hard to process.”
Elric, trying to offer some comfort, placed his arm around Zara’s shoulders. On the already cramped couch, the gesture made it look like they were embracing. “He didn’t hesitate. He knew what needed to be done, and he did it.”
Zara, caught up in the surprise grief, didn’t notice Elric’s arm around her. She was too focused on her emotions, trying to hold back tears. “Marek always said he wanted to go out doing something meaningful. I guess... I guess he got his wish.”
At that moment, the door to the office opened, and Tyler walked out. He paused mid-step, his eyes narrowing in confusion as he took in the sight of Elric and Zara. His eyebrows shot up, and he tilted his head slightly, clearly puzzled by their apparent closeness.
Elric and Zara both froze, realizing how their position might be interpreted. They sprang apart awkwardly, Zara smoothing her hair and Elric rubbing the back of his neck, both trying to act as if nothing unusual had happened.
Tyler’s gaze flicked between them, his expression one of bemused curiosity. “Uh, did I miss something?”
Elric, looking guilty and flustered, stammered, “No, no! Just... you know, sharing a moment of silence for Marek.”
Zara nodded vigorously, her face slightly flushed. “Yeah, exactly. Just... reflecting.”
Tyler’s eyes narrowed slightly, but he decided to let it go. “Right. Well, we’ve got bigger things to worry about right now. Let’s focus on getting out of here.”
The group shifted uncomfortably, trying to shake off the awkwardness of the moment and refocus on their current predicament.