MLIV C5, P1- "The Tower"

"The Tower" is the first Part of "Miracula Luxia IV" 's fifth Chapter.
It was released on 22.07.2022.
== Plot ==
After the events that eventually led to this perilous adventure were set into motion, Adam and Akira had no choice but to travel with Balthazar- a complete stranger- to uncover the secrets hidden within Erika's Tower... or rather, what remains of it. But that is of little concern, because it is no secret that they are getting very close to their final goal. With luck, they might be able to make it happen before the entire world falls apart.
However, this is still nothing more than a fever dream, set to happen sometime in the near future. Right now, they must worry about the potential obstacles that could be hiding within the ruins, whether they may be old but powerful traps or deranged madmen who are looking for the greatness they have been destined to find.
Another journey begins. And this time, it may be the last one.
How far could our heroes get before it is too late?
== Story ==
Adam wakes up and looks around, only to realize that neither his parents, nor his sister are around.
"Hmm?"- He says as he rubs his eyes- "Where could they be?"
He stands up, puts his armor on, picks up his sword and sharpens it a little bit.
Then, as he prepares to leave, he looks at the palm of his hand and opens it. A small wisp of white flame emerges from it, confirming his desire to get on with his adventures once again.
"Looks like the flame in my heart has not been extinguished yet."- Adam says and smiles- "It is good to see that. Every ounce of strength could be crucial in defeating that crazed wizard once and for all."
He walks downstairs, opens the door that leads outside and longily stares at the peaceful town ahead of him.
"But first, I must meet my sister and travel to the tower, in the hopes of finding what we need."- He says- "So, come on. Let us get moving while the sun is still up in the sky."
As he walks toward the west part of town, he is surprised by the appearance of a certain, familiar individual.
Akira, who seems to have woken up earlier than her brother, approaches and hugs him from behind.
"Boo!"- She exclaims- "Are you happy to see me?"
Adam looks back and smiles.
"Aki!"
He hugs her back.
"I thought that you left me behind."
Akira smiles.
"I would never do such a thing."- She says- "Especially not to my little brother."
Adam nods.
"So, where are mom and dad?"
Akira smiles.
"Oh, they're having some time off out here."- She says- "It's best not to disturb them. They're so happy being together, after they were separated for so long."
Adam nods.
"But are they truly happy?"- He mutters- "Do they know what happened to... him?"
Akira raises her eyebrow.
"Hmm?"- She says- "Did you say something, Adam?"
Adam looks back and smiles nervously.
"No! Not at all!"- He exclaims- "I was just thinking about how beautiful the day is today!"
Akira nods.
"It really is."- She responds- "It's a shame that we have to waste it by going in a distant realm, far away from our home, in a nation far below the ground."
Adam sighs.
"It is for the greater good, Aki."- He says- "You know it as well as I do."
Akira shakes her head.
"I'm well aware of that."- She says- "And yet, I can never get it off my mind. Every day, I wonder how our world would have been if Darkthrop never came back. Were people going to swallow their hatred and start working together, just like now? Would they dare to leave in harmony with the universe around them?"
She sighs.
"I guess that we'll never know it."
Adam smiles sadly.
"I understand your concerns, but we cannot change the past."- He says- "Right now, all that matters are the present and the future, for we are the heralds of a new world and must make sure that it is full of happiness and hope.'
Akira nods.
"Just like the time when we became heroes?"
Adam nods.
"Exactly."- He says- "So, shall we proceed? I am sure that the others must be worried about us."
Akira raises her eyebrow.
"Now? In the morning?"- She asks- "Without saying goodbye to mom and dad?"
Adam gasps.
"What? You mean that we... "- He says and looks down- "But of course! I almost forgot about that!"
He looks around.
"But where are they?"- He asks- "I do not see them anywhere."
Akira shifts from foot to foot nervously. There is something weird about her, as if she is hiding something from her brother.
"I... am not sure, Adam."- She says- "Perhaps they're drinking tea in a bar somewhere?"
Adam shakes his head.
"But mom does not drink tea!"
Akira raises her eyebrow.
"Maybe coffee then!"- She exclaims nervously- "They couldn't have gone that far!"
Adam shakes his head again.
"Mama is a busy woman. She never has the time for that!"- He says- "What are you trying to tell me, Aki?"
Akira takes a step back.
"Adam, I... "- She says- "I... "
Finally, she looks up and sighs, defeated.
"Mom and dad left shortly before you woke up."- She says- "They told me that they had to go take care of a problem in a nearby town. They won't be around for a week or so."
Adam is shocked by this.
"What? They... left without saying goodbye to us?"- He asks- "But why? Why would they do this?"
Akira sighs.
"I know, dear brother. You must be worried about them and so are they."- She says- "But this is the world that we live in. Changes happen way too fast for us to comprehend. And the best that we can do... is to keep up the pace until it all becomes clear for us."
Adam looks down.
"Alright. I get it."- He says- "They just want us to be safe. Maybe it is for the best, though."
Akira stares at her brother for a few seconds. Then, something gears inside of her mind. It is as if she remembers something.
"Oh, right! I almost forgot!"- She exclaims and slowly pulls something out of her bag- "Adam, mama wanted me to give this to you. Before they travelled elsewhere, she left something behind."
She smiles and looks at him thoughtfully.
"I never opened it, because I knew that it must be something important."- She says- "Maybe you should be the one to read it first?"
Adam looks at his sister, confused.
"A message?"- He says- "For... me?"
Akira nods.
"Well, my name's not written in the front of the envelope. That's for sure."- She says- "So. Are you willing to open it?"
Adam looks up and nods.
"Of course."- He says- "I want to know what she is thinking about. Maybe this is the best way to discover it."
Akira nods and hands him the letter.
"You're a wise boy, brother."- She says- "It's all yours."
Adam takes the letter and carefully rips off the seal. Then, he opens the envelope and reads it.
"To my dearest boy. The most brilliant light of my life and the greatest herald of my dreams."- He mutters- "If you're reading this, then this means that I have gone somewhere else. A place where you might not find me, until the deed is done. But fear not, because we'll never be truly apart."
He sighs.
"Mom... "
Then, he continues to read.
"All this time, you've always been on my mind. Ever since your uncle and aunt told you to travel with those mysterious people, I felt like you were going to be gone for good. And yet, I was wrong, because you never left this place. It's always as if you never embarked on that adventure. Or, so I thought. And then, I waited and waited for the boy who mended my heart, who helped me turn into the loving and caring mother that I've always dreamed to be. I cherished every moment that we spent, because I knew that we would make many more of those. And I never, ever gave up on you, because I knew that you were always acting for the good of this world, no matter where you went or whom you met. But then, I felt this strange feeling of unease. This creeping uncertainty that made me feel weak. I thought that a part of me was ripped off, as if with a sharp knife, from my very soul as you left. I felt incomplete. And yet, I soon remembered my purpose. It was like that one time when you were just a child and told me that you love me, that you'll never leave me all alone. That's when I realized the true value of a child's life, the motivation to keep their inner fire burning and to teach them how to love and respect the people around them. You, my dearest, will always be a part of me. We'll always be one and the same. And I'll never stop loving you, even as those fiends rip every single fragment of my soul out of my body. But I'm not doing this simply because you're my son, one of the dearest people in my life. I'm loving you because you define me, because you're my innocent, little boy that has always dreamed of being a hero. You, my dearest, are the sun that illuminates our lives, the pillar of hope that radiates warmth to the entire world. Everyone else may love you, but they'll never love you as much as we do. Stay safe, my dearest! Please come back home soon so we can be together again! - Mama"
Adam looks down. Tears start falling from his eyes as he holds his mother's letter next to his chest.
Akira smiles serenely.
"See, Adam?"- She says- "Mama truly loves you! If her actions haven't already convinced you of that, then I'm sure that this will be way more than enough!"
Adam remembers the moments that he spent with his mother, both as a child and as a grown-up boy. He sees how he used to hold her hand and hug her as they walked on the streets in Paris. How they spent their time drawing the heroes of this world. How she taught him to respect the little things around him. Every single moment, as if compiled in a short movie, makes Adam realize that he has been neglecting his mother for far too long.
"Now I get it."- He says- "Mom never abandoned me. She always stood by my side, even as I faced my greatest fears. All the time that I spent away from her only made her love me more than she did before."
He sighs.
"Is this what I am to you, mama?"- He asks- "Am I truly your little diamond? Your precious, little angel?"
He shakes his head.
"It does not matter, though."- He says- "It is clear that I am not worthy of being the son of such a wonderful person, but I will do my best to make her proud."
He looks up at the sky above.
"I love you, mom!"- He yells.
He looks back at Akira.
"And I am not afraid to say it out loud!"
Akira smiles and pats him on the shoulder.
"That's the spirit, my dear brother!"- She exclaims- "I knew that you had it in you!"
As the two of them calm down, Akira looks up and sighs.
"I hate to break this wonderful moment, but I think that the others must be waiting for us."- She says- "Whenever you're ready, we must skidaddle out of here and make our way to the end of the trail."
Adam nods.
"I will waste no time to continue my journey toward the light."- He says- "Erika's Tower, here we come."
With that, Adam opens up a portal to the Spirit Realms, steps through it with Akira and rejoins Linus and Balthazar.
"Took you long enough to arrive."- Linus says- "Don't worry, though. Nothing has happened in Avernum. Not yet, at least."
Rentar-Ihrno nods.
"How did the meeting go?"- She asks Adam- "Were you satisfied with the results?"
Adam nods and smiles.
"I am proud to say that I have obtained the motivation that I needed to continue!"- He says- "My mother is still there, still shining as bright as the day I had to leave her alone. And she never stopped believing."
He shows them the letter that his mother wrote for him.
"And this is the proof of her loyalty."
Rentar-Ihrno smiles sadly.
"Ah. A small letter, from a mother to her son."- She says- "It reminds me of the time when my own mother wrote me a letter when I was about to enroll in one of the Vahnatai's most prestigious schools of magic. Back then, I was young and foolish. I failed to understand what she wanted to tell me. And yet, as time passed, I came to a single conclusion. Being a powerful, nearly undefeatable mage was an exciting experience. However, being with the people who love you the most means more than a thousand words ever could."
She nods.
"I'm glad that your parent is not unlike mine."- She adds- "It gives me a sign of hope in this world of chaos."
Adam smiles.
"Maybe your mother loved you as much as mine, Rentar."- He says- "Did she ever tell you how much she cared about you?"
Rentar-Ihrno nods.
"All the time. She never stopped doing so, even after I was forced to turn against my own people and condemned myself."- She responds- "Ever single minute that I spent by her side, she made it clear that she was proud of me. Even as she tirelessly worked in our people's council and was showered with work and uncertainty, I was always the most precious thing in her life. And I... I regret that I shunned her like that."
Adam nods.
"What will she think of you now?"- He asks her- "Will she still see you the same way she did before?"
Rentar-Ihrno sighs.
"I guess that I'll never know."- She says- "I am no longer the powerful and capable mage that I used to be. I'm just the empty shell of what I used to be. There is nothing that she could be proud of anymore. And yet, is there still something that could make her feel like she made the right choice? I like to believe that she does, but it's still rather... unclear to me."
Adam smiles.
"What about the path of redemption that you are walking on right now?"- He asks- "Every mother loves to see her child become a better person. And I am sure that your mother would feel the same way. But are you certain that this could be the answer that you are looking for?"
Rentar-Ihrno nods.
"Maybe you're right. Perhaps she never forgot about me."- She says- "I thank you, Adam. Thanks to your kind words, I finally managed to open my mind to those that I had to betray decades ago. And I think that I'm ready to become more than I used to be in life."
She looks back at the portal behind her and sighs.
"But our duty's still weighing down on us. We must not shy away from it."- She says- "Balthazar said that he's ready to go whenever you are. So, the choice of when you want to go is all yours."
She stares at him.
"But be warned."- She says to him- "If you arrive too late, the forces of Darkthrop may find what they're looking for and use their newfound powers to destroy you on the spot. It could be a risk not worth taking to explore those old ruins, but I don't want this forbidden knowledge to fall into the wrong hands. Please do whatever you could to stop them, even if it means... means... "
She sighs and shakes her head.
"Just go there and do your job."- She says- "All that matters is that it's for the good of this world. That is all you need to know."
Adam nods.
"Me and my sister made a decision. We think that we are prepared to face our destiny, at long last."- He says- "So. Is the portal ready to go?"
Rentar-Ihrno nods.
"While you and Akira went to see your mother again, I took the time to charge up the portal."- She says- "Thanks to this, I am proud to say that it's fully active adn no longer... as unstable as it used to be. No chance of ripping you into pieces, that's for sure."
Adam raises his eyebrow.
"But... ?"
Rentar-Ihrno sighs.
"But it's still a one-way portal."- She adds- "Thus, you still need to find another way out of Avernum when you're done."
Akira grins.
"I'm sure that it will be easy for us!"- She exclaims- "Just let us go in there and you're sure to hear of how successful we were!"
Rentar-Ihrno smiles.
"Ah. Confidence, courage and valor."- She says- "You humans never fail to surprise me."
She motions at the portal behind her.
"If you think that you can take on the heat, please step through the portal in a heartbeat."
Adam and Akira stare at each other and giggle for a few seconds.
"What is it?"- Rentar-Ihrno asks- "Did I... say something funny?"
Adam smiles.
"The way you said those rhymes without even thinking twice is amazing!"
Rentar-Ihrno raises her eyebrow.
"Rhymes?"
Adam nods.
"Yes. This is what we humans call words whose pronunciation is close to each other."- He says- "Do you have things like those in the underworld?"
Rentar-Ihrno shakes her head.
"Not quite."- She says- "The vahnatai in there are way too serious take notice of any distractions."
Adam smiles.
"Oh, come on!"- He exclaims- "Being serious all the time is no fun! You should try relaxing and enjoying life at its fullest!"
Rentar-Ihrno raises her eyebrow.
"You mean to see the world with a fresh pair of eyes?"
Adam nods.
"Indeed."- He replies- "That is what I am trying to show you."
Rentar-Ihrno nods.
"Maybe I really should."- She says- "But how can I rhyme like you humans?"
Adam nods.
"Well, you start from the bottom and reach for the top. Or try to, at the very least."- He says- "It is no big deal. Everyone can rhyme, no matter if it is just a little bit or a lot,"
Rentar-Ihrno nods.
"So, there are words that are close to each other."- She says- "Like cat and hat? Rat and bat?"
Adam smiles.
"You are on the right track!"- He exclaims- "But can you do it again?"
Rentar-Ihrno nods.
"Maybe moose and goose will work, too."
Akira grins.
"See?"- She says- "She's finally getting it!"
Adam nods.
"Good job, Rentar."- He says- "I am proud of you."
Rentar-Ihrno smiles.
"I appreciate it, Adam."- She says- "Thanks to you, I can finally see the side of the world that I always neglected."
Adam smiles.
"I am glad to hear that."
He looks at the portal.
"But now, we must go."- He adds- "Farewell, most powerful mage of the Vahnatai. I hope that we can meet again."
Rentar-Ihrno nods.
"Safe travels, young hero of humankind."- She says- "May your future be bright and paved with good intentions."
As the three of them prepare to step into the portal, Rentar-Ihrno remembers something. She leans closer to Adam.
"One more thing."- She says- "Around the time when the world was invaded by the forces of Darkthrop, a single man rose to fame very quickly. His name is Connor Freeman and he is a very evil person. This tyrant of a man has always escaped my notice and my warriors have always failed to locate him. But maybe, just maybe, you'd have better luck with him... if you accept, of course."
Adam nods.
"I will make sure that this tyrant pays for his crimes."- He says- "I have done it many times before and I am not afraid to do it again."
Rentar-Ihrno nods.
"I appreciate it."
Then, she and Linus watch as they step into the lands ahead.
"Amazing, aren't they?"- Rentar-Ihrno says to Linus.
Linus smiles.
"Yeah! The best friends I've ever had!"- He exclaims- "I would never trade them for anything else. That's for sure!"
Rentar-Ihrno smiles.
"And it would be quite unwise to do so."- She says- "Friendship is a valuable asset in one's lifetime. It is best to keep it alive while you still can, for it may be taken away from you faster than you think."
Linus nods.
"I'll always cherish the bonds that I share with my friends."
Rentar-Ihrno nods.
"And that's the most moral path."- She says- "I'm glad that you're wise enough to see it."
Meanwhile, Adam and his allies have already been teleported to Erika's Tower. 
While Akira and Balthazar arrived wide awake, Adam was not quite so fortunate. He lays on the ground, unconscious, as his innocent soul dreams of all the people that he had to abandon.
"I let them all down, just to be here. Just to defeat Darkthrop."- He says, seemingly blaming himself- "Is this what the world has turned into? Do I still have a chance to redeem myself, even after foolishly allowing Al to die like that?"
A lone figure appears from the abyss around him. As it approaches Adam, he sees that its face is quite familiar.
"Miss... Emela?"
Emela looks at her student and raises her eyebrow.
"Why the long face, Adam?"- She asks and smiles- "Cheer up. You're almost there!"
Adam stares at her sadly.
"Was it all worth it, Miss Emela?"- He asks- "Am I really worthy of ever being the true hero of those people, if I cannot even be the hero of myself?"
Emela shakes her head.
"You're being too hard on yourself, my dear."- She scolds him- "Tell me. Is there anyone else who would dare to risk everything he has left, just to be the guardian of this world?"
Adam raises his eyebrow.
"Well... "
Emela shakes her head.
"Is there someone who has suffered as much as you have, yet always marches on with a smile on his face because he knows that everything will get better in the end?"
Adam gasps quietly.
"But I... "
Emela looks at him, love and care radiating from her.
"And do you think that there would ever be a force that could defeat the one who united the world in one perfect, harmonic force of goodness?"
Adam raises his eyebrow again.
"Do you... really see me this way?"
Emela smiles.
"And why would I think of you in a different way, Adam?"- She asks him- "You, my dear, have managed to get past some of the worst things life could offer. And yet, you always fail to see how cowardly the human race is. You think that anyone would truly dare to stand up and act solely for the good of this world?!"
Adam looks at Emela, confused.
"But... Miss Emela!"- He exclaims- "There are heroes who are much better than me! Why must I be the one to perform such an arduous task?"
Emela sighs.
"My dear, your views of the world's heroes are being blinded by their so-called altruism. They're often overexaggerating and, deep inside, I'm confident that you know it as well as I do."- She says- "I mean, take a look at the world around you. Every child wants to become a hero. Every young person wants to bask in the glory of being on the right side, to see how profitable it is to be a hero. And that's why their hearts are never pure enough to be considered true heroes. Most of them are only doing this because they have a sense of duty, a destiny to fulfill... or so they think. Others? Well, they're only in it to win it. They're almost as greedy and covetous as the villains that they defeat with their own hands, the only difference being that they're seemingly working for the law instead of the chaos. And the worst of all is that all of them, no matter how righteous or mighty they may claim to be, are always plagued by a single disease-like feeling that runs deep into their bones- jealousy. No matter where they are, there's always a chance that they will meet someone, be it a hero or a villain, who's better than them. And what do they do? They glare at them in a threatening way. They're jealous of how charming and successful they are. They're seeing someone that they'll never be and respond by showing their true colors, the ones that are always hidden inside of their hearts. And that, my dear, is what always leads to their downfall. Sooner or later, the so-called order in their hearts falls apart. And from there, it's more than clear that they'll be going through a point of no return."
She looks at Adam and smiles.
"Please take that to heart, dear."- She adds- "If you do, you will realize that few will be able to stand as high as you are now."
Adam nods.
"I understand. Perhaps I was wrong to be so... credulous and understanding toward them. Perhaps the real monsters are hiding inside of us, not the enemies that we slay."- He says and sighs- "But what could I do with this newfound knowledge? Am I really going to accept it and live my life in a better way?"
Emela smiles serenely.
"That is left for you to decide, Adam."- She says- "Just listen to the sweet tunes of your soul as they breeze through your mind. And then, you will surely know what to do."
With that, Emela hugs her student, smiles one last time and starts to vanish from existence.
"Wait, Miss Emela!"- Adam exclaims- "I still have many questions!"
Emela sighs.
"I'm sure that you do."- She says- "However, time's running out and ever second that you spend in the deepest corners of your mind... could save a life."
Adam looks down and sighs.
"That is what I keep telling myself."- He says and looks up again- "Farewell, Miss Emela. I hope that we can meet again in the real world."
Emela smiles.
"And that would be the happiest moment of my life."- She says- "Stay safe, my dear. I'll be back soon."
Adam's eyes fill with tears as Emela says those words.
"Miss Emela."- He mutters- "Thank you."
With that, he is taken away from the dream world. Then, he opens his eyes.
"Hmm?"- He mutters- "I am... back?"
He notices that Akira is staring at him. Seeing that he is awake, she helps him stand up.
"Good morning, Sleeping Beauty."- She says- "Did you enjoy your time off?"
Adam raises his eyebrow.
"Aki, what happened?"- He asks- "How long was I asleep?"
Akira sighs.
"Oh, you know. Just a few hours."- She says- "While you were dreaming of making the world better, Balthazar and I have been studying the area around us and came to the conclusion that we're in no immediate danger."
Adam nods.
"You do not sound very sure."
Akira looks around nervously.
"Well, I... I heard a few low growls inside the tower ahead."- She says- "Maybe there are a few minor pests that will try to hinder our progress."
Adam nods.
"Or maybe there is something stronger than that."
Akira raises her eyebrow.
"What are you trying to imply, brother?"
Adam sighs.
"You say that you heard low growls. It fooled you into thinking that it is nothing more than a pack of goblins."- He says- "And yet, there is one creature that could make its own sounds low enough to confuse its potential prey."
Akira realizes what Adam is talking about. She gasps.
"No. It... it cannot be."- She says- "Erika couldn't have been trifling with forbidden magic! Not like that!"
Adam shakes his head.
"Maybe Erika is not responsible for this. Your assumptions could be correct."- He says- "However, the ruins hold an unnervingly high concentration of wild, uncontrolled magic within. If it was not Erika who summoned this dark beast, then I am certain that the remnants of magic within have attracted him, like metal to a magnet."
Akira nods.
"But what could we actually do, if that were true?"
Adam clenches his fist.
"A wise woman once told me that we must keep marching forward, So, this is what we must do."- He says- "In order to discover the secrets behind Darkthrop's true intentions, we must first find out the true location of the item that he is so desperately looking for."
Akira nods.
"And discover the Orb of Dreams?"
Adam smiles.
"Finally!"- He exclaims- "Now, you are talking my language!" 
He turns around and nods.
"Perhaps the Orb of Dreams shall be our key to victory."- He says- "If we manage to find it, then everything would make sense to us... if there were anything to make sense of to begin with."
He looks back at Akira.
"So, Aki."- He says- "Are you ready to join me one last time?"
Akira nods and smiles.
"I'm content to just be by your side."- She says- "But if fighting alongside you means anything, then you have my full attention."
Adam nods.
"And thus, the matter is finally settled."- He says- "Let us proceed."
As the two of them walk toward the tower, they hear rustling in the bushes nearby.
"What was that?"- Akira asks.
Adam shakes his head.
"Are you really thinking that everything around us is dangerous?"- He asks and sighs- "Stay focused, Aki. The most dangerous stuff is within the tower, not outside of it."
Akira sighs.
"I guess that you're right."
Moments later, she hears rustling from another nearby bush.
"It's the same sound again!"- She exclaims- "I'm not being paranoid, I swear!"
Adam shakes his head.
"Maybe you should take it easy for a while."- He suggests- "Your mind has been through a lot of pain lately."
Akira raises her eyebrow and sighs.
"No. I... I just want this to be over soon."- She says- "I miss mom and dad. I want to stay with them."
Adam nods.
"And so do I."- He admits- "However, we are stepping into hostile territory. Any sign of weakness could be fatal to-- "
Suddenly, a single arrow emerges from the bushes to the left, flying toward them.
"Look out, Aki!"- Adam exclaims and pulls his sister out of the way before she gets hurt.
And then, another arrow flies toward them, this time from the right.
"We're under attack!"- Akira yells.
Adam sighs, draws his weapon and snaps the incoming arrow in half with a single, well-timed slash.
"Keep it up, Aki."- He says- "I think that we still have a chance to retailiate."
Arrows continue to be shot at them, from both left and right. It is as if someone is taunting the two heroes and trying to make them back down.
As brother and sister frantically try to survive this unexpected encounter, Adam brushes his head next to a nearby pillar. However, much to his surprise, the middle part of it starts to crumble almost immediately.
"Adam!"- Akira yells as the pillar quickly starts to fall apart, dropping huge chunks of rock on the ground around him.
As she leaps to his aid, she takes him in his arms and shields him from the incoming barrage of falling rubble. However, she never anticipated that she would get herself in danger so easily.
While she protects her brother both from their attacker and the crumbling pillar behind them, a large chunk of rock falls right on her head, nearly crushing her skull in the process.
As Akira falls on her knees, Adam leans close to his sister and inspects the wound. Seeing how grievous it is, he gasps.
"Aki!"- He yells- "Oh no! Not again!"
Akira looks up weakly and smiles.
"It's okay, little brother."- She says- "This is nothing more than a little scratch for me. I'll be fine, I promise."
Adam shakes his head.
"You keep saying that."- He replies- "And yet, you always get yourself in trouble!"
Akira shrugs.
"Bad habit, I guess."
As the two of them attempt to escape from the dangerous scene, they hear the low chuckle of a man somewhere around them.
"Who is there?"- Adam says- "Show youself!"
The voice chuckles again and the silhouette of a lone man rises from the shadows.
"It is not the monsters of this world that you should fear."- He says- "There are bigger monsters inside of us. It is not wise to underestimate them."
Akira glares at him.
"Oh, stop being such a philosopher!"- She exclaims- "If you think that you're going to defeat us with things that you consider facts, then rest assured that it's not going to work!"
The man's mouth twists in an expression that is, unmistakably, a smile.
"They may be shenanigans to you, but it is different in a believer's eyes."- He says- "You should know that well, heiress of Darkthrop!"
Akira gasps.
"How dare you compare me to that old wretch!"- She yells- "Don't you know that I'm not on his side anymore?!"
The man chuckles.
"Maybe you're not, but Darkthrop never forgot you."- He says- "And when he gets his hands on you, the malice in his eyes shall be the last thing you will ever see-- "
Suddenly, a stream of waters is launched from nearby. It hits the mysterious man square in the chest.
As he falls to the ground, he accidentally lets go of his hood. His face is soon revealed to Adam and Akira.
"Wait a minute."- Adam says- "Who is that?"
Realizing who she is looking at, Akira enters a mild state of panic. Her hands start to tremble and she nearly drops her weapon.
"No. This... this can't be true."- She says- "Why? Why did it have to be him?"
Adam looks at her, confused.
"Aki? Who is this man?"- He asks her- "Have you met him before?"
Akira takes a step back.
"Declan!"
Declan stands up and smiles.
"Ah. You finally recognize me."- He says- "But it is too late, because you're already too deep in the abyss."
He draws his weapon.
"You're an exile, Akira. You're just like me."- He continues- "Your brother is a wimp, a weakling. Join me and we can destroy him together."
Hearing how he foolishly (and wrongly) insults her brother, Akira flies into a rage very quickly. She draws her weapon and angrily points it at her enemy.
"My brother is the sweetest boy in the world and a better warrior than you will ever be!"- She yells- "I've had enough of your tricks, Declan! Back when I was working for Darkthrop, I pretended to like you. I thought that I could understand you. But now, I can finally see that you've been a lost cause all along!"
She takes a step forward.
"Get over here, Declan!"- She yells- "It's either fight or flight! You'll never convince me to fight for your dark master again!"
Declan smirks.
"So it be."- He says- "But don't claim to regret it after I defeat you."
As Akira angrily approaches Declan, she blindly swings her blade at him. However, she focuses on channeling more power than accuracy in her blows, thus allowing the mysterious man to take advantage of her rage.
He leaps back as she tries to attack him and then, as she unknowingly becomes more vulnerable. runs behind her and grabs her by the back of her neck.
"What are you doing?"- Akira asks- "Let me go, you fiend!"
Declan smiles.
"Ah, the mighty Akira Kaos- sole female heir of the foolish hero who calls himself Jared Kaos."- He says- "You've always been a pathetic and dependant one and it seems like you haven't changed a lot since you left."
He leans close to her, forcing her to smell the bad breath that comes from his mouth.
"Are you really willing to protect the doomed like that?"
Akira holds her nose with her free hand.
"Of course I am!"- She mumbles- "But what I'm willing to do right now is to get away from you and your bad breath!"
Declan raises his eyebrow.
"My breath?"- He asks- "What's wrong with that?"
Akira sighs.
"It's almost as if you've been eating garlic all day, everyday."- She says- "Perhaps you should brush your teeth more often."
Declan glares at her.
"That's completely irrelevant to your current situation!"- He exclaims- "What you must be worried about how doomed you are-- "
Before he could finish his taunt, a single bolt of boiling water strikes him in the back, forcing him to let go of Akira and fall on his knees.
As Akira prepares to execute him, he realizes that it was just a trap, meant to weaken and confuse him. Thus, the decision to run to safety is more than certain. Before she could do anything to him, he pushes her away, grabs his weapon from the ground below and flees the scene while holding the wound on his back with his free hand.
"You may have defeated me now, but I'll be back soon!"- He yells- "The Necronomicon shall be mine!"
With that, he disappears into the mists ahead.
As Akira stumbles back, Adam continues to bombard Declan with a barrage of firebolts.
"And stay back into the darkness from whence you came, fiend!"
Akira sighs.
"Well, he deserved it."- She says- "But why would he stay loyal to Darkthrop, even after so long? Is he really that blind?"
Adam shakes his head.
"Many people have been blinded by Darkthrop's promises of power and wealth beyond their greatest imagination."- He says- "And, well, you can see what happens to them."
Akira sighs.
"I know."- She says- "I just wish he weren't such a megalomanical outlaw."
Then, she looks back at the tower.
"It does not matter, though. Not anymore."- She adds- "The way to the tower is clear. Let's go inside."
As the two of them approach the entrance, someone else emerges from the lands to the right of them, nearly startling the duo.
"My friends!"- Balthazar exclaims- "There you are! I was so worried about you!"
Adam raises his eyebrow.
"What are you doing out here, Balthazar?"
Balthazar smiles.
"I have been inspecting the ruins for any possible clues regarding our task."
Adam nods.
"Well?"- He asks- "Have you had any luck with that?"
Balthazar sighs.
"Unfortunately, I have not."- He replies- "But the runes on the entrance have truly intrigued me. They seem rather... peculiar, as if someone left them out in the open like a certain clue."
Adam nods.
"Maybe we could make some sense of them."
Balthazar smiles.
"If you are willing to do that, I would appreciate it."
Adam smiles.
"Of course."- He says- "Just stand close to me. Together, we will find a way in, sooner or later."
Akira shrugs.
"Well, there's no reason to doubt him."- She says to Balthazar- "He's already done the impossible before. Would a runed gate really pose a challenge to someone like him?"
Balthazar smiles.
"Ah. But the great Adam Kaos will always find a way to his goal."- He says- "I will be glad to join you on this journey, no matter how long or dangerous it may be."
Adam nods.
"I appreciate your honesty, my friend."
As he inspects the gate ahead, Akira and Balthazar stare at the ruins of what once used to be Erika's Tower.
"Majestic, aren't they?"- Balthazar says and smiles- "Once, this place used to be the home of Avernum's greatest Archmage of all time. Surface worlders hated her, because she was better than them. Her own people feared her, because she was secluded and mercurial. Many thought that she was only helping the world for more power and fame, but that proved to be wrong in her final battle. However, when she fell apart, her home remained abandoned. For months. Years. Decades. It became the home of many a beast with spectacular powers. Many of those otherworldly creatures tried to discover whatever riches were left behind, but none of them realized what the true treasure actually was, for it is the magic within that defines this place most perfectly."
Akira nods.
"I still wonder why this place hasn't fallen apart yet."- She says- "One would think that, without the presence of the archmage, this place would be nothing more than a bunch of rubble. And yet, here it is, in all of its splendor. This is truly a miracle in plain sight."
Balthazar smiles.
"Perhaps the magic within those ruins is more than just a lingering force of man's mind."
Adam nods and looks back at his allies.
"I think that I got it figured out!"- He exclaims- "Come on, everyone! Let us keep moving!"
As Akira and Balthazar join him, he motions at the runes on the gate and smiles.
"It turns out that whatever magical protection was placed on this gate, it is more than just an obstacle in our way."- He says- "What you see over here is a motion sensor. It detects those who get close to the tower, can tell whether they wish to break into it or are simple scavengers and visitors. In addition to that, it poses a challenge to those who are willing to get inside, forcing them to show the knowledge that they possess."
He presses the palm of his left hand against the gate, closes his eyes and mutters a few words.
"Fire!"- He exclaims moments later and one of the runes starts to shine in a brilliant, red color.
Akira and Balthazar watch as he continues to mutter again.
"Water!"
The second runes shines blue.
"Earth!"
The third rune becomes lime green.
"Wind!"
The fourth rune turns yellow, just like a sunflower.
"Light!"
The penultimate rune starts to shine a majestic, white color- bright like the pearls in the sea.
Once the five runes glow in their own colors, Adam turns to his allies.
"I managed to unleash all of the elements which I have mastered along the way."- He says- "However, there is one element which I despise. Thus, it is the key element that I am missing in this puzzle."
Akira nods.
"You're talking about the Dark element, right?"
Adam sighs.
"I hate to say this, but it is true."- He says- "If we are to get into this tower, I must prove that I am capable of mastering the power of darkness. And yet, I have always shied away from it."
He falls on his knees.
"Does this mean that pure-hearted heroes are not meant to be here?"
Akira smiles.
"Well, it's quite fortunate that I happen to be here."- She says- "Although I am a master of the Light element, I still have tints of darkness within my soul."
She takes a step forward.
"Since they're tints of noble darkness, I'll be glad to share them with you."- She adds- "Together, we can defeat this perilous puzzle. I'm sure of that."
She presses the palm of her hand against the gate."
"Dark!"- She exclaims as the last rune starts to glow in a black, almost onyx-like color.
Suddenly, the six colors of the runes start to shine, no matter what their original color used to be, starts to shine in a dazzling, white light. The true color of the siblings' souls has been revealed, at long last.
Not long after, the gate leading to Erika's Tower finally opens.
"Open sesame!"- Akira exclaims- "Thank goodness! We're finally free to go!"
Adam looks at the gate and nods.
"Yes. This is it."- He says- "This puzzle was elaborate and sophisticated, but it was not impossible. And it looks like our efforts have finally been rewarded."
Balthazar smiles.
"At last! We can finally discover the secrets of Erika Redmark!"- He exclaims- "Oh my! I can't wait!"
Adam sighs.
"Just try to be careful, everyone."- He says- "There are many things left inside this place. And not all of them are idle an docile... "
He turns around.
"So."- He says- "Are you still ready to join me, despite the risks that we have to take?"
Akira nods.
"I made a promise to protect you and I'm not intending to back down soon."- She says- "Bring it on. I'm ready."
Balthazar smiles.
"And so am I."- He says- "Let us make our move."
And so, the three of them descend into the ruins of Erika's Tower, preparing themselves for the worst that has yet to come.
As they move inside, Akira looks back at the area outside and sighs.
"Declan."- She mutters- "This is not the end. Rest assured of that."
With that, she joins her brother as he makes the first step into the tower- the first step any living human has taken in what would seem like decades.
"Well, here we are."- He says- "Erika's Tower is within our reach. At long last."