CHAPTER 32: THE SEVEN DOORS
The journey toward the Tower took three days.
Three very long days.
Three days of walking across floating islands, crossing broken bridges, and listening to Ryulga refuse to answer simple questions.
Shen finally snapped.
"Can you tell us literally anything about the Tower?"
"No."
"Why?"
"Because it's funnier this way."
Shen looked ready to throw a rock at him.
Nolan beat him to it.
The stone hit Ryulga directly in the back of the head.
Ryulga turned around.
"..."
"..."
"..."
Nolan immediately pointed at Shen.
"He did it."
"Traitor!" Shen shouted.
For some reason, Ryulga looked proud.
"Good. Teamwork."
Both boys groaned.
---
By sunset on the third day, they finally saw it.
The Tower.
It rose above the clouds like a black spear piercing the sky.
Ancient.
Silent.
Massive.
Even from miles away, Shen could feel dark energy radiating from it.
Nolan's golden eye began glowing immediately.
The prince grabbed his head.
Images flashed through his mind.
A battlefield.
A broken crown.
A door opening.
Then—
Nothing.
The vision vanished.
"You saw something?" Shen asked.
Nolan nodded.
"Only pieces."
Ryulga's expression became serious.
"Good."
"Good?" Nolan shouted.
"I nearly passed out."
"That means the Tower noticed you."
"THAT'S NOT COMFORTING!"
---
Hours later they stood before the entrance.
The Tower possessed seven enormous doors stacked one above another along its front structure.
Each door carried different symbols.
Different runes.
Different colors.
Shen stared upward.
"Seven doors..."
Nolan looked around.
"Which one are we supposed to enter?"
Ryulga pointed.
"The first one."
Shen sighed.
"That was the most obvious answer possible."
"I know."
---
The First Door slowly opened.
No dramatic explosion.
No terrifying monster.
Just a slow creaking sound.
The interior was surprisingly clean.
A long stone corridor stretched forward.
Rows of ancient torches illuminated the walls.
Shen blinked.
"That's it?"
Nolan frowned.
"Why does this feel like a trap?"
Ryulga immediately stepped aside.
"Because it is."
The floor collapsed.
"AHHHHHHHHH!"
Shen and Nolan disappeared instantly.
---
Several seconds later—
CRASH!
Both boys landed inside a giant pile of dusty books.
Shen sat up.
A book slapped him in the face.
Another hit Nolan.
Then another.
Then twenty more.
"What kind of attack is this?!" Shen yelled.
Nolan pulled a massive encyclopedia off his head.
"I think we've been assaulted by education."
Above them, Ryulga casually landed on his feet.
"Welcome to the First Trial."
Shen rubbed his forehead.
"Please tell me we're fighting monsters."
"No."
Nolan smiled.
"Good."
Ryulga pointed toward the center of the chamber.
"We're taking an exam."
Silence.
Absolute silence.
Then—
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"
Their screams echoed throughout the entire floor.
---
At the center of the chamber stood an ancient crystal.
Words slowly appeared on its surface.
FIRST TRIAL:
WISDOM
Shen immediately looked offended.
"Why are you looking at me?" Nolan asked.
"Because we're doomed."
"I hate you."
Ryulga sat on a nearby chair that definitely wasn't there a second ago.
"Pass the trial and the second door opens."
Shen raised his hand.
"What happens if we fail?"
Ryulga grinned.
"Good question."
A massive hammer descended from the ceiling and smashed the floor beside him.
BOOOOM!
Shen and Nolan jumped.
"..."
"..."
"We're studying."
"Definitely studying."
---
As they approached the crystal, neither of them noticed the faint shadow moving behind the walls.
Nor did they notice the golden light briefly flicker within Nolan's eye.
Far above them—
Beyond the second door.
Beyond the third.
Beyond all seven.
Something ancient slowly opened its eyes.
And smiled.
End of Chapter 32
To Be Continued...