Rian and his party entered the ancient tower, cautiously surveying their surroundings. The interior of the tower was quieter than they expected, and only old stone pillars and the mystical symbols carved on the walls greeted them. There was no sense of anyone being there, nor any obvious danger. They had expected it to be filled with ancient secrets and legendary equipment, but in reality, there seemed to be nothing special.
Rian: "What's in here? It doesn't look like anything..."
Brunok tried to look for equipment, comparing it to the materials loaded on their cart, but soon shook his head.
Brunok: "Was it all just rumors? I don't see a single piece of decent gear. And since we don't have a rogue, it'll be a bit tough to find anything hidden here."
Eris tried to use the power of shamanism to find the energy of any equipment. Her eyes took on a soft blue glow, and magical energy began to flow from her fingertips.
Eris: "Wait a moment, I think there are things hidden here. The energy is very faint, but it's still here. If we look a bit deeper, we might be able to find something."
Ria agreed with Eris's words and began to search the area with her own magic. A light shone from her fingertips, revealing the locations of the equipment hidden within the tower.
Ria: "Here, and here. They don't look all that great, but they might be things we need."
The party, relying on Ria and Eris's magic, found the equipment scattered inside the tower. The few pieces of hidden armor and weapons were old and worn, but they still looked usable. Brunok inspected the gear, picking out the useful items, and Rian and Ria divided the weapons among themselves as they headed deeper into the tower.
As they ascended the tower, Ria began to hear an unknown sound from somewhere. It was like a low, rough whisper, but it seemed only she could hear it. Feeling the sound grow clearer and clearer, Ria said nothing to the party and naturally took the lead, starting to climb the stairs.
Rian: "Ria, is something wrong? Aren't you in a bit of a hurry?"
Rian asked as he followed her, but Ria, after a brief hesitation, smiled and replied.
Ria: "No, I just feel like I want to see more. It's okay, brother."
Though she said that, a sense of unease crept into her heart. The voice was continuously calling her from the depths of the tower. Not wanting to worry the party, she said nothing and quickened her pace.
The party followed Ria towards the upper floors of the tower. With each cautious step deeper into the tower, Ria's heart grew heavier. The sound grew stronger the closer they got to the center of the tower. Ria could no longer ignore the voice and was certain it was calling to her.
When she reached the top of the tower, Ria felt she would finally come face to face with the source of the sound. But she still did not know what the voice meant or what it was asking of her. Rian and his companions, unaware of the unknown threat that lay in wait, followed Ria toward the top of the tower.
They did not know. That this tower was not a simple ancient relic, and how powerful and dangerous the force hidden within it was. Rian and his companions would soon face that truth.
**
Episode : What is the Ancient Tower? Part 2
As soon as Ria arrived at the top of the tower, she was seized by a strange sensation. At the quiet peak of the tower, there was a single door, and she could feel an unknown power from beyond it. Ria cautiously opened the door. At that moment, a book from inside the door floated into the air, glowing, and began to speak to her.
Magic Book of Wonderland: "It has been a long time, young mage. So you heard my voice and came all this way."
Ria was startled and stared at the book. She collected herself and spoke.
Ria: "So you were the one making the noise? You... a book is talking?"
The book rapidly flipped its pages as if conversing with someone, emitting a soft light.
Magic Book of Wonderland: "That's right. I am the Magic Book of Wonderland. Many have come to know the secrets of this world through me. And do you not also desire that power?"
Ria hesitated for a moment at the book's words. The name 'Magic Book of Wonderland' was familiar to her. Her father, Merslin, was originally from Earth but had come to this world, and the book in his hands at that time was this very one. It was a legendary magic book that had given Merslin great power. But how it had come to be here, Ria had no idea.
Ria: "The Magic Book of Wonderland… My father once had you. You were the one who guided my father to this world, and later gave him great strength. But why are you here now? And what are you trying to say to me?"
The book slowly circled around Ria, drawing her gaze. It answered in a soft voice, as if it had known Ria for a long time.
Magic Book of Wonderland: "Your father Merslin was my first choice. And now, it is your turn, Ria. Do you not also need great power? Will you not have to become stronger to solve the difficulties your party faces?"
Ria mulled over the book's proposal for a while. She had overcome many difficulties with her companions so far, and she knew there were many more threats they would have to fight together in the future. But even if she truly needed that power, she couldn't be sure if an opportunity that had appeared so suddenly was the right one.
Ria: "Great power is tempting, but I can't be sure if it's the right path. Father must have had many worries when he made a similar decision. Tell me why you want to give me power, and what the price is."
The Magic Book of Wonderland was silent for a moment at Ria's serious question, then replied again in a calm voice.
Magic Book of Wonderland: "Power comes at a crossroads of choice. If you possess this power, you and your party will be able to stand against even greater dangers. But with it comes just as much responsibility and risk. Your father was the same. If you decide to accept this power, I can give it to you. But everything depends on your choice, Ria."
At that moment, a powerful magic barrier activated on the door to the room, preventing Rian and his party from entering. Ria was in a situation where she had to make the decision alone. She had to choose whether to accept the power of this book or to continue on her own path. And she sensed that her decision would have a great impact on her and her party's future.
Ria needed great power. Normally, she was one to make cool, rational judgments, but she recalled the first defeat where Rian was badly injured, and their most recent defeat. The threat of the Noktus flashed through her mind. The Magic Book of Wonderland whispered temptations of great power in her head.
Ria's gaze wavered. Her mind was already in turmoil, and the thought of whether she could protect everyone with great power swirled in her head.
Ria: "If this power is what we truly need…"
Ria looked up at Rian, who was desperately pounding on the barrier. Rian shouted in a loud voice.
Rian: "Ria! What are you thinking? We need you!"
Ria, in the throes of conflicting emotions, closed her eyes for a moment, then knew she had to decide. Though she was swayed by the book's temptation, she remembered her promise with her companions. When she realized that their bond was her true strength, Ria asked the book one last time.
Ria: "If I refuse your power, what will happen to us?"
Just then, the magic book lost its light and began to shake in mid-air, and then, the barrier suddenly collapsed. As Rian and his companions rushed into the room, the book flew about chaotically, emitting an intense light. The light dimmed, and the book, along with a red mist, began to summon something.
It was a horned demon holding a giant sword. The being burst into laughter and looked down at Ria.
Demon: "You are a truly interesting human. To refuse the power I promised you… But do not worry, it will still be fun. The power you desire is right here."
Ria was shocked and backed away. The demon had been controlling the magic book, testing her.
Ria: "The Magic Book of Wonderland you spoke of was a lie."
The demon let out a loud laugh and spread its giant wings.
Demon: "Hahahaha! Human desire never fails to amuse me. Now, let's play!"
The demon fired a giant fireball at Rian's party. The ball of fire instantly filled the space and engulfed the party, setting the tower's walls and ceiling ablaze. In the heat, Rian momentarily dodged and shouted.
Rian: "Everyone, get back! It's too strong, don't approach it carelessly!"
The demon's attack was overwhelming. The demon, summoned due to Ria's mistake, was a powerful being that could not be stopped with ordinary magic. The party was pushed back one by one by the demon's overwhelming assault. Eris quickly set up a lightning totem to distract the demon, and lightning wrapped around its body, delivering an electric shock.
Eris: "We can control the demon's movements with this lightning totem! Everyone, focus your attacks!"
Rian dodged the demon's attack and swung his greatsword, trying to break through its defense, but the demon's hide was tough. Rian's greatsword bounced off, and he nearly lost his balance. Brunok and Silverfang leaped into battle, and Silverfang nimbly bit at the demon's leg. But the demon simply swatted them away and swung its axe, and though Brunok barely dodged, he was sent flying back by the impact.
Brunok: "Silverfang! Don't overdo it! It's too strong…"
Marielle used both defensive and healing magic to protect her companions. The demon's flames were partially blocked by Marielle's holy light, but its power still threatened the party. She simultaneously used a healing spell to quickly recover Brunok's injuries.
Marielle: "Accept the grace of the divine! We must block this attack and rise again!"
Ria, to atone for her mistake, used a protective barrier of fire to defend her companions and, without hesitation, fired a powerful ice spell. The ice instantly froze upon hitting the demon's body, but the demon shattered the ice and breathed out flames once more.
Demon: "Your efforts are futile. Do you think you can stop me with that kind of power?"
The demon's flames, as if a living creature, swept over the party, and Ria barely dodged the fire, strengthening her defense. The battle grew more and more intense, and the demon's attacks exhausted the party.
However, they did not give up. Eris's lightning totem continuously harassed the demon, and Rian transformed his weapon into twin blades to pierce the demon's weak points. Marielle increased the team's survivability with her healing and defense, while Brunok and Silverfang worked to bring the demon down at its ankles.
Finally, Ria gathered all her magical energy and summoned a giant spear of ice. She stretched out her hand, aimed at the demon's heart, and threw the ice spear. The spear pierced the demon's chest, and at that moment, the demon let out a great scream, writhing in the flames.
Ria: "It's over now! The power you wanted was something you could not handle!"
The demon, in anger and pain, glared at Ria, then soon disappeared in a cloud of black smoke. The magic book that had been floating in the air also vanished, and the light in the room returned to a state of peace once more.
Rian: "Is everyone okay? That was amazing, Ria. Your decisiveness saved us."
Ria let out a tired breath and nodded. From the looks in her companions' eyes, she felt that she was not alone, and that as long as they were together, they could overcome any danger.
Through this battle, Ria and the party had become stronger, and they reaffirmed their trust and bond with one another. Now, they were ready to face the threat of the Noktus and the secrets of the tower.