The ground trembled. Again.

  But this time… it wasn’t a warning.

  It was an invitation.

  The stones of the previous chamber began to rearrange like chess pieces turning on their own. A dry sound echoed — toc. toc. toc. — and a new spiral staircase appeared, descending deep, deeper… to where Leli’s light could no longer reach.

  — The second floor has been unlocked, said Luiz, hand on the hilt of his Copas sword.

  — That was too fast… murmured Valquíria.

  Búdica was already descending.

  Without waiting.

  Without asking.

  Lukas followed.

  — Little brother, said Luiz, while the others prepared, be careful. Some say the second floor doesn’t test the body. It tests the soul.

  ?? The Second Floor

  The smell changed.

  No longer blood or mold.

  But incense.

  And burnt flesh.

  The group descended into a ruined temple.

  Broken statues. Candles floating, lit, yet never burning the air.

  And on the altars… names carved.

  — These are ancient names… said one of the Trevos, reading the symbols. — This language was forbidden in the Dawnbreak Falls…

  Leli walked up to one of the pillars and touched the stone.

  — “Lukas Fernandes.”

  Her eyes widened.

  — It’s here.

  Lukas froze.

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  — What?

  Valquíria stepped closer.

  — There are many names here… and yours is among the dead.

  — That… that’s impossible, whispered Leli.

  — Of course it is, Búdica finally said. — This place knows what you’ve lost. Or… what has lost you.

  ?? Trial: The Cave of Echoes

  The stone door opened by itself.

  The group was forced apart.

  Each in a different corridor.

  Each… with their own echo.

  Lukas entered. Alone.

  Darkness.

  Darkness.

  And then, he saw himself.

  A smaller version. Weaker. The child nobody wanted in House Fernandes.

  — “You should have died.”

  — “You only survived because nobody took you seriously.”

  — “You have no magic. No aura. No mother. You are Kyros’ mistake.”

  Lukas clenched his teeth.

  Then… the final echo:

  — “Do you know why you’re still a virgin?”

  He tried not to answer.

  — “Because not even your shadow desires you.”

  He charged forward, punching the illusory mirror.

  But the glass didn’t break.

  It was his own fist that bled.

  And then…

  — “This is what you are. A broken reflection trying to look whole.”

  Until another voice rose. Familiar.

  — Enough, boy.

  It was César. His voice — not the shield’s.

  For the first time… heard in the soul.

  — Listen… They don’t know what you’ve already lost. They didn’t see what I saw. They don’t know how many times you refused to die.

  Lukas dropped to his knees, blood dripping from his hands.

  — César…

  — I was with you in the shadows. And I will be in the light as well.

  The corridor shone gold and black.

  Lukas rose to his feet.

  The mirror confronting him…

  Shattered.

  ?? Exiting the Second Floor

  Each warrior emerged from their own corridor.

  Some… on their knees.

  Others, in shock.

  Búdica was the first to appear, her face cold, but her eyes red.

  Leli trembled.

  Valquíria clutched her chest.

  Luiz looked serious for the first time.

  — This Tower… it isn’t only testing if we can fight. It’s testing if we want to continue.

  Lukas came out last.

  Covered in blood and sweat.

  Búdica glanced at him for a second.

  No smile.

  But… no disdain either.

  And for the first time, she spoke as an equal:

  — You endured the second floor.

  Lukas nodded.

  — And I haven’t even started yet.

  End of Chapter 14.

  Thanks for reading! ??

  What do you think will come next as the Tower’s floors keep rising?

  They’re being sifted through a brutal filter, one layer after another… ??

  See you in the next chapter!