Chapter 81-A World Beneath the Tower

The days passed in a quiet tension that gnawed at Elias's nerves. The warning from Kallista echoed in his mind, lingering like a shadow that refused to fade. No matter how hard he tried to focus on the next layer of the Trial, the more he felt as if something much larger was at play-something beyond his understanding.

But that was a problem for tomorrow, he told himself. Today, there was only the Trial. The next challenge awaited him, and with it, more power to claim. The need to grow stronger was a constant pulse in his chest, a reminder that only by rising above the gods could he hope to avenge his family.

Still, Elias couldn't shake the feeling that the real challenge wasn't in the Tower-it was outside its walls. The gods were just puppets, the ones pulling the strings were something else entirely. But for now, the Tower was all he had.

The city of Wrynne felt strange to Elias these days. Where once it had been a place of opportunity, filled with the bustling sounds of commerce and the everyday lives of citizens, now it seemed to weigh heavily on him. The

eyes of the city watched him from every corner, and Elias couldn't help but feel that each person he passed was judging him. Some saw him as a hero, others as a threat. Either way, he was a target.

Inside the inn, Elias sat at a small table in the corner, sharpening his weapon. The low hum of conversation filled the room, but his focus was elsewhere. Lyra sat across from him, watching him carefully, her eyes narrowed as though trying to decipher his thoughts.

"Did you sleep at all last night?" she asked, her voice calm but laced with concern.

Elias glanced up at her, his eyes sharp. "I don't sleep much anymore."

"You need to rest," she insisted. "You've been pushing yourself too hard, Elias. You're already. strong, but even you have limits."

He didn't respond immediately, his mind too consumed by the upcoming trial and the ever-looming threat from the shadows. It wasn't just the gods that he needed to worry about now; it was the powers that moved behind them, hidden and elusive.

"I'm fine," he said after a long pause, his voice distant. "I need to be ready. We don't know what's coming."

Lyra studied him for a moment longer, then let out a quiet sigh. "You can't do this alone."

"I'm not alone," Elias replied, his tone slightly sharper than he intended. "I have you, Althea.... and myself."

"Elias, come on. You don't have to pretend. You're carrying so much weight on your

shoulders, and I can see it. The world is heavy enough without trying to shoulder it all yourself."

He looked at her, his gaze softening, but only just. "I'm not pretending. I just have to do what I have to do."

Lyra opened her mouth to argue but was cut off by the sound of footsteps approaching the table. Althea stood in the doorway, looking tired but

determined.

"Elias, we need to talk," she said, her voice strained

Elias stood up immediately, sensing the seriousness in her tone. "What is it?"

Althea hesitated for a moment before stepping into the room, her eyes flicking nervously to the door as if making sure no one else was

listening. "I've been doing some thinking... about everything. About the Trial, Kallista, and the things we've seen so far."

Elias's mind immediately raced, his pulse quickening. "What are you saying?"

"I'm not sure what's coming next, but I don't think we're ready," Althea said, her voice low.

"Not just the Trial, but everything. You heard what Kallista said. There's something else out there, something more dangerous than anything we've faced."

Elias stared at her, feeling a sense of urgency building in his chest. "We have to be ready. No matter what comes next, I need to be prepared."

"And you will be," Lyra chimed in, her voice steady. "But you don't have to carry this burden alone. We'll fight with you, Elias."

Elias remained silent for a moment, contemplating their words. They were right, but part of him wanted to push them away. They

didn't understand. They couldn't. The weight of his grief and his need for vengeance could never

be fully understood by anyone else.

"I know you want to do this alone," Althea said quietly, as though reading his thoughts. "But you don't have to."

Elias felt a pang of guilt. He was so focused on his mission that he had pushed them both away, distancing himself from the people who cared about him. But even then, a part of him couldn't

help but keep them at arm's length. He didn't want them to get hurt. He couldn't bear to see anyone else suffer because of him.

"I... I can't promise I won't do this alone," Elias said, his voice heavy. "But I will try. For you."

Althea gave him a small, bittersweet smile. "That's all we ask."

With that, the conversation died down, leaving

an uneasy silence hanging in the air. Elias knew what they were trying to tell him, but he couldn't shake the feeling that he was destined to face

this trial alone. That was the only way to ensure his victory.

As the days passed, Elias's thoughts returned to the Trial, and the ever-looming presence of the mysterious figure Kallista. Her warning echoed

in his mind like a whisper on the wind: The real enemy is not in the Tower. It is out there, in the

shadows. Her cryptic words haunted him, pushing him forward despite his doubts.

Eventually, the time came. The next Trial awaited him, and with it, the promise of more strength and more enemies. But as he made his way to the gates of the Tower, he couldn't shake the nagging feeling that he was walking into

something far more dangerous than he realized.

"Are you ready?" Lyra asked as she stood beside him, her gaze steady and unwavering.

"As ready as I'll ever be, Elias muttered, his mind already focused on the challenge ahead. His body was tense, every muscle coiled in anticipation. He could feel the power of his new

abilities surging within him, but he knew it wouldn't be enough to defeat whatever lay beyond the gates.

The city of Wrynne stretched out behind them, silent and still as they approached the Tower. The gates loomed before them, massive and

imposing, like the jaws of some ancient beast. Elias didn't look back. He couldn't. The Tower was his only chance, and whatever came after would have to wait.

With one final glance at Lyra, he stepped forward, pushing open the gates and entering the Trial once more..