The starlit hall trembled, and a path of light stretched forward, weaving itself like a bridge across the void. Beyond it, rising into infinity, stood a tower unlike any they had ever seen. Its walls shimmered as though woven from fragments of constellations, and its peak vanished into the heavens.
Prava gasped.
"It's… alive. The tower breathes with the stars."
Allara's eyes narrowed, awe and calculation mixing within her gaze.
"No… it's not alive. It is the stars. A fragment of the heavens bound to earth."
Rafael stepped forward, his voice heavy.
"If this is the Tower of Starlight, then it's not only our path—it's our trial."
---
The three approached, and as they did, the constellations etched across the tower began to shift. Wolves, dragons, serpents, and phoenixes shimmered across its surface, ancient stories playing like rivers of fire across the night sky.
Suddenly, a deep voice echoed from the tower itself.
"Those who seek the truth must climb. Each step will strip away illusion. Each chamber will test not your strength, but your essence."
The gates opened with a low hum, flooding the void with a brilliance that felt both welcoming and merciless.
Prava clutched the Heart Key tightly. For a moment, she thought she saw her reflection in the tower's light—not as a girl, but as a star waiting to ignite.
---
"Together," she whispered.
Allara placed her hand on Prava's shoulder.
"Together."
Rafael nodded firmly.
"To the top. To the truth."
And with that, they crossed the threshold, stepping into the Tower of Starlight, where the stars themselves would decide their fate.