Bab 20: The Tower's Trial [1]

As Aduke stepped through her portal, she found herself in a vast and mysterious realm. The surroundings were shrouded in a dense mist, making it difficult to discern the exact details of the landscape. The air felt heavy with anticipation, and a sense of foreboding hung in the atmosphere.

Before her stood a towering structure, a mystical tower reaching towards the heavens. It seemed to defy gravity, its architecture intricate and enchanting. Each floor of the tower was adorned with intricate carvings and symbols, hinting at the challenges that awaited within.

At the top of the main entrance door was boldly written,

[ịrị, Gun òkè, hau]

Meaning 'climb' in the 3 main languages of Nigeria with the first being in 'Igbo', second being 'Yoruba' and the last being 'Hausa'

Aduke took a deep breath, steeling herself for the unknown trials ahead. With determination in her eyes, she ascended the tower, step by step.

Before entering the tower, she made a decision not to make use of her unique unless she was in a dire situation.

As she steps into the tower, she finds herself transported to the first floor of the tower. The atmosphere feels heavy with anticipation, and the surroundings are dimly lit by flickering torches along the walls. The floor is covered in a smooth, polished marble, reflecting the soft glow of the torchlight.

In the center of the chamber stands a massive, intricately carved stone pillar, reaching up to the ceiling above. Surrounding the pillar, four stone statues of fearsome creatures stand as guardians, their eyes glowing with an otherworldly light. They are the first challenge she must face on her ascent.

[STATUS SCREEN] Floor 1 Guardian: Stone Sentinels

Race: Golems

Tier: 2

Rank: Elite

Physical Power: 19

Elemental Power: 9

Abilities: Stone Skin, Crushing Slam, Earthquake Tremor

As she approaches, the stone statues suddenly come to life, their stony forms cracking and shifting as they step down from their pedestals. The ground trembles beneath her feet as the golems start their assault, their massive stone fists swinging with formidable force.

Aduke, quick and agile, dodges their initial strikes, her footsteps echoing in the chamber. She retaliates with precise strikes, channeling her elemental powers to create gusts of wind that weaken the golems' attacks. The clash of stone against her weapons reverberates through the air, creating a symphony of battle.

The fight intensifies as the golems display their resilience, their stone skin proving difficult to penetrate. Aduke strategizes, aiming for their weak points and exploiting their slow movements. She leaps, flips, and slashes with acrobatic grace, her determination shining in her eyes.

Finally, after a fierce struggle, Aduke manages to defeat the Stone Sentinels. The golems crumble into piles of rubble, returning to their inanimate forms. As the dust settles, a small door materializes at the far end of the chamber, leading to the next floor.

Exhausted but exhilarated, Aduke takes a moment to catch her breath. She wipes the sweat from her brow and moves towards the door, anticipation building within her. She knows that greater challenges await on the higher floors of the tower, but she remains steadfast, ready to face whatever lies ahead.

Stepping through the door, Aduke finds herself on the second floor of the tower. The atmosphere here is drastically different from the previous floor. The air crackles with an electric energy, and the surroundings are illuminated by flickering orbs of lightning that dance across the chamber.

The floor is covered in a metallic surface, resembling a circuit board, with intricate patterns etched into its glowing surface. As Aduke explores further, she notices large conductive pillars placed at regular intervals throughout the chamber, pulsating with electricity.

In the center of the room stands a fearsome creature, a massive serpent-like being composed entirely of lightning. Its body arcs and crackles with raw power, illuminating the surroundings with dazzling flashes of electricity. This is the guardian of the second floor, ready to test Aduke's mettle.

[STATUS SCREEN] Floor 2 Guardian: Thunder Serpent

Tier: 3

Rank: Lord

Physical Power: 26

Elemental Power: 12

Abilities:

Lightning Strike: Conjures bolts of lightning to strike the enemy.

Thunderous Roar: Emits a deafening soundwave that disorients opponents.

Electric Surge: Charges its body with electricity, enhancing its attacks.

As the Thunder Serpent senses Aduke's presence, it coils its immense form, preparing to strike. The air becomes charged with electricity, causing her hair to stand on end. The serpent's eyes lock onto her, gleaming with a mixture of intelligence and primal aggression.

With lightning-fast reflexes, Aduke evades the Thunder Serpent's initial attack, narrowly dodging its electrifying bite. She retaliates, her weapons slashing through the air, as she weaves and rolls to avoid the serpent's electrified strikes.

The battle unfolds in a flurry of lightning and acrobatics. Aduke utilizes her agility to evade the Thunder Serpent's lightning strikes, while launching her own counterattacks. Bolts of lightning crackle through the chamber, illuminating the intense battle.

The Thunder Serpent, undeterred by Aduke's resilience, intensifies its assault. It unleashes powerful electric surges, causing the metallic floor to vibrate with energy. Aduke, feeling the static charge in the air, focuses her concentration, channeling her elemental powers to ground the electricity and protect herself.

After a fierce and arduous struggle, Aduke manages to weaken the Thunder Serpent, exploiting its elemental weaknesses and landing critical blows. With a final, thunderous roar, the serpent writhes in defeat, dissipating into a cascade of crackling lightning.

As the echoes of the battle subside, a shimmering door materializes, revealing the path to the next floor. Aduke regains her composure, her body tingling with residual energy. She takes a moment to savor her victory before stepping towards the door, resolute and ready to face the challenges that await her on the higher floors.

Emerging from the door, Aduke finds herself on the third floor of the tower. This floor presents a stark contrast to the previous one. The atmosphere feels heavy, as if shrouded in an otherworldly mist that obscures vision and distorts sound. Dim, flickering torches line the walls, casting eerie shadows that dance along the floor.

Aduke's footsteps echo as she ventures further into the chamber, which is dominated by a series of massive stone doors. Each door is adorned with intricate carvings depicting mythical creatures and ancient symbols. The air carries a faint scent of ancient magic, hinting at the formidable challenges that lie beyond these imposing thresholds.

Approaching the first door, Aduke places her hand on its rough surface, feeling a surge of energy coursing through her fingertips. The door responds to her touch, creaking open with an eerie groan, revealing a dimly lit room beyond.

[STATUS SCREEN] Floor 3 Guardian: Stone Golem

Tier: 3

Rank: Lord

Physical Power: 29

Elemental Power: 15

Abilities:

Petrifying Slam: Strikes the ground, releasing shockwaves that turn opponents to stone.

Granite Armor: Hardens its body, increasing defense and resistance.

Earthquake Stomp: Creates powerful tremors, causing the ground to shake and disrupt opponents.

Inside the room, a massive Stone Golem awaits, its stone muscles rippling with raw power. The golem's eyes glow with a faint, ethereal light as it locks its gaze onto Aduke, sensing the challenge she presents.

Without hesitation, the Stone Golem charges, its heavy footsteps reverberating through the chamber. Aduke swiftly dodges its initial attacks, narrowly avoiding the golem's mighty fists as they crash into the ground, sending shards of stone flying.

The battle commences, with Aduke relying on her agility to evade the golem's devastating strikes. She maneuvers around the room, utilizing the environment to her advantage. With each nimble dodge, she strikes back, her weapons carving through the golem's stony exterior, chipping away at its defenses.

The Stone Golem, recognizing Aduke's determination, activates its Granite Armor, encasing itself in an impenetrable shell of hardened stone. Undeterred, Aduke adapts her strategy, aiming for the golem's vulnerable spots and exploiting gaps in its defense.

As the battle escalates, the Stone Golem unleashes its Earthquake Stomp, causing the ground to quake violently. Aduke struggles to maintain her footing, but her unwavering resolve keeps her focused. She adapts her movements, leaping and rolling to avoid the devastating tremors.

With a final, calculated strike, Aduke shatters the Stone Golem's granite armor, leaving it vulnerable. She presses her advantage, channeling her elemental powers to weaken the golem's structure, until it finally crumbles into a pile of rubble.

As the dust settles, Aduke takes a moment to catch her breath. The room is silent, save for the fading echoes of the battle. Stepping over the remains of the defeated guardian, she approaches the next door, anticipation stirring within her. The Tower of Trials has tested her strength and resilience, but she is determined to face whatever awaits her on the higher floors.