Return of the Tower Conqueror

When the Blades Fall (VI)

A day had passed since the group reached the incomprehensible room filled with incomprehensible everything. Diya and Emma were the only two actively trying to figure out a secret behind it all, spending most of their time deep in thought and occasionally sharing them with one another in vain hopes of unlocking the secrets behind it.

Cain, Jamal, and Senna spent most of the time either randomly chattering or sleeping, with former occasionally going back through his memories of the place again, trying to locate the point where they deviated from the path. The likeliest, naturally, was the previous chamber where everything collapsed, but he couldn't be a hundred percent certain.

Two days passed, both Emma and Diya had black rings under their eyes, their lips dry and split, their gazes ones of tiredness and pure exhaustion. Regardless of their state, the strange room continued operating normally -- or, rather, abnormally.

"Haah, if we don't stop them, they really might die trying to figure it out." Jamal said, sighing.

"It's stupid," Senna said. "They've been talking in a circle for a whole day."

"..." Cain said nothing, merely looking at their hunched backs and determined looks in their eyes. "Give 'em one more day."

"Do you think they'll figure it out?" Jamal asked.

"Nope." Cain shrugged.

"Then why?"

"Who knows," Cain replied. "Just let them have it."

"... a'right." Jamal shrugged, turning silent as well and closing his eyes, meditating.

Cain glanced at Senna who had a complex look in her eyes as she stared at Diya and Emma, occasionally biting her lower lip in the seeming frustration, kneading her fingers into a fist. She really was young, Cain mused, regardless of whatever front she was putting on.

"What happened to you?" Cain asked suddenly, pulling her out of her stupor. "From what I know, Weapon Saint Class can't be found in this Tower. Where you from?"

"... now you're asking those questions?" she sneered.

"Hey, you mellowed out somewhat," he sneered back. "Might as well take my shot."

"Australia." she replied after a short silence. "I'm from Australia. That's where I got the Class."

"How'd you come over?"

"A plane?" she looked at him dumbly.

"Ah, I thought you might have ridden a sword or something cool like that."

"..." instead of humoring him with words, she merely flipped him off.

"So, what's your story?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean," Cain said, taking out one of the last few remaining cans of beer in his inventory. "What has a sixteen-year-old teenage girl who should be listening to lame music and peeving over the boys instead stuck inside this hell, killing strangers without mercy? There has to be a story."

"What do you care?" Senna asked, frowning.

"Is it that strange that people care?" he asked her, taking a sip. "Believe it or not, people care more often than not."

"Tsk, yeah, right."

"Is that the story?" he probed. "That people didn't care?"

"It's kinda creepy how interested you are in me," she said. "Maybe I should be worried."

"..." Cain smiled lightly, sighing inwardly. "I want you to stay with us after this dungeon."

"No."

"Why?"

"What do you mean why? It doesn't matter. I'm not staying." she said.

"Why not?" Cain asked again. "Though it may sound a bit pompous, we're likely the strongest party you'll find, and however far you think you can go by yourself, you will always be at least a few steps behind us, and many others at that. If you only want to ensure a happy living by occasionally visiting the Tower, I'd get it. But, somehow, I don't get that feeling from you."

"You don't know me, old fart!" she exclaimed in frustration. "And don't pretend, even for a second, that you do! And don't pretend that you care! You only want me to stay with you guys because of my Class and talent! If I was just some rando chick who didn't know what the fuck's what, you'd have dumped me the moment we left this place! Heck, you'd have probably not even taken me in here, to begin with! Stop with that fake bullshit, and just continue doing your lame jokes until we're out and stop asking questions."

"You like those lame jokes, though." Cain said.

"H-huh? No I don't."

"But you do."

"I fucking don't!"

"Ah, but you do!"

"I--I'm telling you that I don't! Listen, you old fart! I know you're so old you're going deaf, but at least try and listen to what I'm saying!" Cain chuckled at her flustered expressions and reddened cheeks, prompting her to pull back and look away. "Asshole..." she mumbled under her breath.

"Ha ha ha," Cain laughed merrily for a moment, shaking his head. "I'm serious about you staying, Senna," he added. "In part, it is because you're talented. Probably more so than you even realize. But in part, it's also because you're the only one who appreciates my sense of humor. And, as you'll come to realize, people like that are far, far, far harder to find than some talented scrubs." "..." she looked at him oddly for a moment, barely letting on a trace of a smile on her lips before rapidly looking away, turning silent.

Cain grinned and stretched, finishing up the beer and leaning further back, deciding to take yet another nap.

"Thief!" a grating voice exploded in his head, startling him awake.

"W-what? What's wrong? What's happened?" he quickly shot up and looked around, but noticed that everything was fine -- everyone except for him was still fast asleep, including Emma and Diya who looked like they've finally given up, somewhat peaceful expressions on their faces. "Fuckin' cat!!" he screamed lowly, trying his best not to wake up anyone else. "You scared the shit outta me! What did you yell that for?"

"Kekeke~~ apologize to Te'ghe! Kekeke!! Great Te'ghe figured it out!"

"Apologize my ass!!" the cat nimbly dodged his kick as it walked up to the edge and looked up to the sphere. "You--wait... you... figured what out? Not the..."

"Gekgheeheeh~~yes~~yes..." Te'ghe replied.

"Oh, fuck off. You did not."

"Gehehehkeke~" the cat's grating laughter continued to echo out in his mind as he walked up to the edge as well, standing by its side. "Does the Thief wish to know? Kekeke..."

"What's the catch?" Cain asked. "I know you can get the rewards yourself since you're technically a member of the party through me."

"..." the cat, strangely enough, didn't laugh as it looked up and met his gaze. "Please... defeat the Ruined King."

"..." Cain's mood soured as two minds in his head clashed immediately -- cautious and greedy parts. "I don't even know how strong he is."

"Very strong," Te'gha said, still speaking in a fairly serious tone. "Stronger than Te'gha. Than you, Thief. Than everyone."

"Then how the heck do you expect me to defeat it?"

"You get stronger--we get stronger," the cat said. "Thief--you asked me why I'm here, and not further up the Crucible."

"The Ruined King's the reason?" Cain mumbled.

"Yes," the cat nodded, a strangely melancholy look appearing in its radiant eyes, surprising Cain. "If you promise me... promise me, thief, you will at least try, I will gift you the answer."

"..." Cain turned silent, uncertain. What's with the obsession over the Ruined King? I only heard of him from the videos since he was mentioned a few times... but, from what I recall, he wasn't that big of a figure on the first floor. It'd be one thing if it was just the tribes here knowing him... but Te'gha too. It's strange. Who the fuck's that guy?

"Thief?" Te'gha's call pulled him out, causing him to sigh.

"Fine," he shrugged. "I promise I'll try. But if it looks like we're all gonna die horrible deaths, I'm running away."

"Kekekghehe~~ running away suits you, Thief! Kekeke~~"

"What's the answer, tell me..."

"The answer... kekeke~~"

//Congratulations on solving the mystery behind the Stellar Sphere!

Your knowledge has impressed the Remnant Spirit who has decided to bestow upon you a Talent -- Perception(Mythic)!

Perception(Mythic) -- Level 0 -- - nothing is beyond your capacity to understand. Mirages, secrets, lies, truths, deceits, falsehoods, illusions -- they all come undone before you. Level 0 -- nothing beneath Level 50 is able to escape your accurate judgment.

Your Skyeye(B) skill has been fused into Perception(Mythic)

Your insight into the Stellar Sphere has increased your Wisdom by 60!

Congratulations on reaching 200 Wisdom!

You have unlocked: Mind's Eye(D+)

Mind's Eye has been fused into Perception(Mythic)

Your insight into the Stellar Sphere Grants you 5 Levels!

Congratulations on reaching Level 40!

You have unlocked: Avatar(Class Skill)

Avatar: unchain the locks of the Elements, temporarily becoming their chosen Herald. Removes Mana Costs, 0 seconds charge speed, increases core attributes of Skills by 1000% for 15 seconds all. Requires 3 days before being used again.

Your insight into the Stellar Sphere affords you 1 mastery Rank upgrade of your choice -- please choose!

"Wind..." Cain mumbled absentmindedly, somewhat overwhelmed by the insane number of notifications flashing repeatedly in front of him.

Your Wind skill has been raised by 1 rank permanently!

Wind(A) has become Wind(S)

Congratulations on raising your first Skill to 'S' rank!

You've unlocked a Title: The Master (+10% to mastery speed)

You have completed 3/5 steps necessary for undergoing the First Awakening: Unlock all Prime Elements(Y) / Reach Level 50(N) / Reach (S-) mastery on one of the Skills(Y) / Intelligence at or over 300(N) / Defeated an Awakened Creature(Y)//

For a moment, Cain fell silent -- absolutely overwhelmed. It all happened so quickly, and even if he had the baseline expectations, the feeling of suddenly receiving so much wasn't a frequent one in the Towers. Now, however, he became even more worried about his promise to fight the Ruined King. I just promised to give it a shot, he consoled himself. Just that. We can always run away... yup, we can always just... run away...