Tower Of Rebirth

Chapter 2: Into The Tower

Adrian woke up, surprised. I just died! He winced at the thought but the last thing he remembered was Kael shooting him with a smile on his face! 

He shot me, Adrian thought bitterly remembering his own murder. Yet, here I am. 

His eyes fluttered open to an entirely unfamiliar sight. He was no longer on the rain-soaked streets of Corvus, the city that had shaped him into the ruthless figure known as the Steel Reaper. Instead, he found himself in a place that defied comprehension—a vast hall lined with enormous statues and pillars that were illuminated by ethereal light. In contrast to the stuffy environment of his past existence, the air was crisp.

Adrian pushed himself up, his mind racing to make sense of the surreal surroundings. Noticing a dagger tucked into his waist, and dressed only in a gray shirt, and trousers, he looked around. He wasn't alone. He was surrounded by a diverse group of people, each of them had their distinct looks of confusion.

"Where...?" he began, his voice barely a whisper. Before he could finish that sentence, a soft voice echoed through the hall. "Welcome to the Tower of Rebirth," it chimed, and Adrian's gaze was drawn to a petite, luminous figure materializing before them—a fairy, delicate and enchanting.

"Rebirth?" Adrian muttered, his voice tinged with skepticism. His life had long been defined by darkness and violence, by the merciless pursuit of his clients' desires.

The fairy, who introduced herself as Lila, nodded with a gentle smile. "You're here because you've died in your previous world. But this tower offers a chance at redemption and rebirth."

Redemption—a word Adrian had scarcely considered. He had always been aware of the direction his journey was taking, driven by the thrill of vengeance and power. He felt a gleam of optimism and a whisper of uncertainty as he stood there in the grandeur of the Tower's hall, but he dared not hang on to the idea for too long.

Lila pointed at the massive building ahead. It was tall, dark, and looked like it had many floors.  "The Tower has 100 floors. You need to reach the top for a fresh start."

It arched out towards the heavens, towering like an old sentry, its smooth obsidian surface reflecting the surrounding light in a ballet of shadows and brilliance. Each step appeared to be its own story, a staircase leading to what seemed like a gateway to a world beyond.

He glanced upward, the height seeming overwhelming. "And if we fail?"

Her expression darkened. “Failure will result in eternal damnation. a round trip ticket to hell.” 

His spine tingled as he heard the phrase. His existence prior to the Tower had frequently been a walking personification of hell. However, he was given the opportunity to make a decision in this situation. He had never identified himself with the concepts of redemption or rebirth.

“To make the journey a little easier, you’re required to form a party of three to four people for each group. You will all travel together, take challenges and survive as a team. Most portals within the tower will lead each team to different challenges and experiences that will help you all grow individually.”

Lila's wings fluttered as she continued, "The Tower is a realm of magic. You must tap into your soul to manifest your specific gift. All abilities in the tower are fueled by emotions, and every soul possesses a unique gift. You could say it’s a manifestation of your souls. Every soul has a certain gift that expresses its deepest emotions."

Adrian's thoughts were racing. Magic? He had not been a magician, but a murderer. But the idea piqued his interest and reawakened a curiosity he believed had been long suppressed.

Lila said, her eyes beaming, "The first floor awaits you. Take on the challenge, unlock your inner strength, and pave the way for your rebirth or redemption.”

Lila's explanation of the tower's purpose resonated with the other people around Adrian, confusion giving way to a glimmer of understanding. The Tower of Rebirth held the promise of a fresh start, an opportunity to shed the weight of past sins and emerge anew.

Adrian focused on the people around him, as Lila left, leaving a path of glistening light in her wake. Each person had scars on their faces from their own struggles and regrets. While some looks radiated confidence and resolve, others portrayed doubt and uncertainty. 

He looked around, eyes taking in those who stood beside him and made sure they could read nothing in his expression. With something like Rebirth for a price, I don't doubt that there would be bloodshed. We might be stuck here together, but anyone here could become my enemy at any point. His heart grew cold at the thought as he steeled himself and took his first steps.

The enormous pillars and statues appeared to surround him as he entered, and the atmosphere was permeated with an otherworldly energy. Each stride he took toward the tower was a sign of his readiness to face his own demons and accept the unknowable.

As they walked through the tower, whispers of awe and uncertainty echoed among the others. "Have you ever seen anything like this?" a woman with fiery hair murmured to her companion.

He shook his head, his eyes wide with wonder. "Not in any realm I've known. This tower is... different."

Adrian overheard their conversation, his curiosity piqued. "Different how?"

The man turned to him, a mixture of excitement and apprehension in his eyes. "It's like stepping into a realm of legends. Everything feels alive, as if the tower itself is watching us."

Adrian nodded, absorbing the man's words. It was true—the tower exuded an otherworldly presence, an aura that defied explanation. He found himself drawn to the diverse group of souls, each with their own stories etched into their expressions.

The hall appeared narrower as they went further inside, with a cathedral-like vault arching overhead. Adrian's attention was drawn to two people in the distance: a young woman with a determined expression and a man who appeared to be taking in his surroundings with a scholar's eye.

The woman turned to her companion, her voice carrying a sense of determination. "This is our chance, Lucas. A chance to change everything."

Lucas nodded, his tone reflective. "Indeed, Elara. But let us not forget the trials that lie ahead. The tower may grant redemption, but it demands a journey of its own."

Elara's gaze flickered toward Adrian, and their eyes met briefly before she smiled warmly. "And who do we have here?"

Adrian cleared his throat, suddenly aware of their attention. "Adrian Steele," he introduced himself, extending a hand.

"Elara," she replied, her grip firm. "And this is Lucas." She motioned to her companion.

"Adrian," Lucas mused, his eyes narrowing in thought. "The name holds a certain weight."

Before Adrian could inquire further, a soft hum filled the air, and the towering pillars around them began to shift and change. The group came to a halt, their gazes fixed on the mesmerizing transformation.

Astonishingly, the pillars morphed into intricate displays, each depicting scenes from different lives and worlds. Adrian watched, spellbound, as stories played out before his eyes—the rise of kingdoms, the fall of heroes, moments of love and loss.

Lila's voice echoed through the chamber once more, her words weaving through the shifting images. "The tower shows you glimpses of the multiverse, of lives intertwined and choices made."

Adrian exchanged glances with Elara and Lucas, a sense of unity settling among them. The tower was not just a place of redemption; it was a tapestry of existence itself, a waypoint that held the threads of countless worlds.

As the pillar displays gradually stilled, Adrian couldn't help but feel a newfound connection to everyone around him as they were all travelers on this enigmatic journey, each with their own pasts and aspirations.

With the images of the multiverse etched in his mind, Adrian took a step forward, his heart filled with a mixture of anticipation and resolve. The tower had shown him a glimpse of how vast the world beyond its walls were—a reminder that their stories were but fragments of a greater whole.

He noticed some of the others pairing off into groups of three or four, and disappearing into a portal. 

Did they know each other before? He wondered

Elara's voice broke the silence, her words carrying a sense of camaraderie. "Would you like to join us, Adrian? Let's face the trials ahead as one."

Adrian stopped to look at her. He couldn't help but admire Elara's striking appearance. Her fiery red hair cascaded down her back, catching the light like flickering flames. She wore an elegant gown, the color of midnight, with intricate silver embroidery that seemed to shimmer and dance as she moved. The gown clung to her graceful figure, accentuating her every step with an air of refined confidence. 

Adrian found himself captivated by her presence, a vision of beauty amidst the mysteries of the Tower. Her eyes, like twin sapphires, held a spark of genuine kindness and camaraderie. "Thank you, Elara," he replied, his voice tinged with sincerity. "I'd be honored to face these trials with all of you."

Lucas, on the other hand, had an air of intellectual charm about him. He had neatly combed dark hair and wore glasses that added an aura of wisdom to his appearance. His attire was simple but refined, a well-tailored suit that spoke of his attention to detail. Adrian couldn't help but sense a hidden strength beneath Lucas's unassuming exterior. 

With that affirmation, the trio embarked on their journey together, their footsteps echoing through the chamber as they approached the portal.

“Does anyone know what the next trial is about? Adrian asked as they walked through a fiery portal towards what they assumed was the trial

“I do,” A tall dark man with robe-like clothings and a jacket said as they popped out of the portal. There was no sign of the others. Did they go to a different floor? Why am I still with these two?

The portal had led them to a grand chamber filled with intricate carvings and a lot of glowing light from orbs? 

The chamber itself wasn’t all that brightly lit, and at the center stood a man, radiating an aura of power. Elara, Lucas, and Adrian exchanged curious glances, their anticipation building, the tall dark figure stood with an air of mystery, his presence commanding attention. 

Malik's eyes held a quiet intensity as he regarded them, his gaze meeting each of theirs in turn. "I’m Malik" he said, his voice carrying a weight that seemed to echo through the chamber.

Elara's brow furrowed “Okay, Malik. What’s waiting for us?”

Malik gestured toward the statue behind him. "The Trial of Elements.

Adrian nodded, “And what does that mean exactly?” his gaze still lingering on the lights around the pillars when something changed. 

All of a sudden, the world shook, or maybe it was just the chamber but it felt like the world to Adrian and the others. 

It was as if the very air had caught fire, and the flames danced to an invisible tune that only they could hear. The manifestation, both majestic and terrifying, emerged with an explosive burst of heat and light, marked by a spectacular display of fire in its colossal form that left Adrian and his companions stunned.

“What the...?” Adrian, Elara and Lucas all screamed as the entire chamber suddenly burst alight. There was fire everywhere, and suddenly, there was a fiery tendril rushing towards the group. 

“Moveeeee...” Adrian yelled, acting on reflex as he tried to push the others away in the opposite direction.