The wind shifted.

  Not the common wind of the seasons — but something ancestral, woven of forgotten scents, magic dust, and a strange vibration that made the hairs on the neck rise. The whole forest fell silent when the ground trembled.

  The Tower of the Unfortunate opened.

  For an instant, it looked like nothing but a black fissure between the trees — like obsidian embedded in the world. But then, the structure took form: black spirals, floating steps, and an opening at its center that swallowed the light like a breath of death.

  And not all were accepted.

  Of the sixty warriors gathered that morning, only twenty-two passed through. The others… saw the entrance close before their eyes, as if the Tower itself had judged them unworthy.

  Lukas passed.

  At his side, Búdica. Silent as the northern night itself. Two lances strapped across her back, the longbow still folded into compact form at her waist.

  — Looks like we’re a pair, Lukas said without looking at her.

  — Not looks. We are. Her voice was dry. Precise. With no room for error.

  Up ahead, Valquíria and Leli. The younger sister walked with elegance, wielding the Primavieira, the magical rapier of Spring, as if it had no weight. Her steps seemed to dance among the twisted roots.

  Leli stopped, staring into the darkness.

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  — The Tower doesn’t want strong warriors.

  Lukas frowned. — Then what does it want?

  — It wants… something.

  — Something? Obvious. But what?

  Leli bit her lip, thoughtful. Her eyes reflected the Tower’s black entrance as if they could see beyond.

  — I don’t know… how could I know? she sighed. — But it feels like it accepts those with fear, or desire, or a wound that never closes. As if it chooses those who carry a void. Something it can fill itself.

  Lukas stayed silent. The more Leli spoke, the less he understood.

  — You’re speaking in riddles, little sister. I didn’t get any of that.

  She smiled faintly, almost sadly. — Neither did I. But that’s what I felt.

  On the other side of the clearing, the Copas were celebrating. Luiz twirled his sword theatrically, surrounded by three members of his squad. The Trevos, Valquíria’s elite swordswomen, were also among the chosen — including Alenna, who exchanged a quick glance with Lukas. Nothing was said.

  Luiz approached his brother.

  — Ready, little brother? he asked with a grin.

  — Ready? This doesn’t even feel real.

  — Don’t worry. I’ve entered this Tower five times. Only died twice.

  — What?!

  Luiz laughed and pulled Lukas by the shoulder, bringing him closer to Búdica.

  — You two are partners now. It’ll be fun.

  — I don’t think it’s fun to trust my life to someone who already beat me, Lukas muttered.

  — That’s exactly why you’ll survive, Luiz winked. — She has the instincts of a beast. And believe me… she likes you.

  Búdica didn’t react.

  — …She likes you the way a wolf likes a rabbit, Luiz added.

  Lukas swallowed hard.

  — Valquíria and Leli will form the second pair, Luiz announced loudly now. — The rest, spread across the floors. Priority: reconnaissance. No heroics. Whoever finds the relic, send the signal. Whoever dies… don’t slow the others down.

  The Tower vibrated. A metallic, grave sound, as if a hundred bells had tolled at once, but underground.

  One by one, the chosen entered.

  First Luiz and the Copas. Then the Trevos. Then Valquíria and Leli.

  And finally, Lukas and Búdica.

  The shadow swallowed them. The cold embraced them. And the Tower closed behind them like a hungry mouth.

  End of Chapter 12.