Leon stepped through the obsidian archway.
The air on the other side felt heavier—not in pressure, but in presence. Every breath carried a faint metallic taste, and the floor beneath him hummed faintly like a living thing.
The chamber was circular, walls made of black stone veined with silver light. At equal distances around the room stood six pedestals, each holding a crystal sphere that floated just above its surface.
Five were dim.
One burned with a steady white glow.
As Leon entered, the glowing sphere pulsed—and the silver veins in the walls lit up in response. From somewhere above, a calm voice spoke:
"Candidate arrival confirmed. Floor 107: The Oath Circle."
The sphere's glow intensified, and the other five began to flicker faintly, as if waking up.
"Here, no duel is given freely. You will face three Oathbearers. Refuse, and the Tower will end your climb here."
Leon scanned the room. "And if I win?"
The voice didn't answer.
