CHAPTER 33: THE SECOND DOOR
The First Trial was finally over.
Shen still couldn't believe it.
Out of all the dangers hidden inside the ancient Tower, the first challenge had been...
A test.
An actual written test.
Nolan walked beside him, holding the completed answer sheet.
"I still think this is ridiculous."
"You got ninety-eight."
"I know."
Shen pointed at himself.
"I got twelve."
Nolan looked at him.
"How did you get twelve?"
"I guessed."
"Every answer?"
"Every answer."
Ryulga nodded proudly.
"That's my student."
"I AM NOT YOUR STUDENT!"
---
A deep rumble echoed through the Tower.
The crystal at the center of the chamber began glowing.
The words on its surface slowly changed.
FIRST TRIAL:
COMPLETED
SECOND DOOR:
UNLOCKED
Far ahead, a massive stone gate slowly opened.
Unlike the first door, this one felt different.
The air itself became heavier.
The temperature dropped.
Even Ryulga's smile faded slightly.
Shen immediately noticed.
"That's never a good sign."
"No," Ryulga admitted.
"It isn't."
---
The three of them entered the second floor.
The moment they crossed the threshold, the environment changed completely.
The stone walls disappeared.
The ceiling vanished.
Instead, they found themselves standing inside a giant city.
Silent.
Empty.
Frozen in time.
Ancient buildings stretched toward the sky.
Broken statues lined the streets.
Dust covered everything.
Nolan slowly turned.
"What is this place?"
Ryulga folded his arms.
"The City of Echoes."
Shen blinked.
"That sounds suspicious."
"It is."
"Of course it is."
---
As they moved through the abandoned streets, Nolan's golden eye suddenly glowed.
A flash.
Then another.
His steps stopped.
Shen immediately noticed.
"You saw something."
Nolan nodded.
"Someone."
"Who?"
The prince looked toward the center of the city.
"I don't know."
For the first time since entering the Tower, his voice sounded uncertain.
"But they're watching us."
---
Hours passed.
The deeper they traveled into the city, the stranger things became.
Sometimes they heard footsteps.
Sometimes laughter.
Once, Shen clearly heard someone whisper his name.
When he turned around—
Nobody was there.
"Okay."
Shen tightened his grip on his sword.
"I officially hate this place."
Nolan laughed.
"Afraid?"
"No."
"You jumped."
"I was surprised."
"You screamed."
"It was a tactical scream."
Ryulga nearly choked from laughing.
---
Then everything changed.
They arrived at the city's central plaza.
A massive clock tower stood before them.
Ancient runes covered its surface.
Golden light suddenly erupted from Nolan's eye.
The pain forced him to his knees.
"Nolan!"
Shen rushed forward.
The prince grabbed his head.
Images flooded his mind.
A battlefield.
A burning sky.
A massive black gate.
And standing before it—
A young man wearing golden armor.
The man turned.
His face was familiar.
Too familiar.
He looked exactly like Nolan.
Only older.
Stronger.
And carrying a sword made entirely of golden light.
The vision ended instantly.
Nolan gasped for breath.
Shen helped him stand.
"What did you see?"
For several seconds, Nolan remained silent.
Then he answered.
"My future."
Even Ryulga looked surprised.
"What?"
Nolan stared at the clock tower.
"I think..."
His golden eye flickered again.
"...I think someone is waiting for us at the top of this Tower."
A loud bell suddenly echoed through the city.
BOOOONG.
BOOOONG.
BOOOONG.
The sound shook the entire floor.
The ancient clock tower began moving.
Its gears started turning.
And slowly...
A third door appeared at its base.
The next trial had begun.
End of Chapter 33
To Be Continued...