Ascension Chronicle: The Tower Of Calamity

 Liam and Clara stood in their dim chamber. With eerie calmness everything was quiet after the chaos from the former floors. There were strange, almost electric tension in the air. For the first time, the tower felt as if it were calm, awaiting their will. They had just cleared their latest trial, and what stretched before them could almost be defined as a hall. Towering shelves filled with glittering things lined the walls. Strange symbols hovered around them and glowed dimly.
A soft hum filled the room, and as they moved, a voice echoed in their minds—familiar and cold. "Welcome to the Shop of Ascendants. Here, your points you have earned will buy objects, equipment, and knowledge required for your journey, but only to those worthy will this bar provide those."
They glanced at each other. Less than cynicism, more than curiosity. Other survivors had whispered of the shop, but it wasn't until now that they entertained the possibility. Gold in the air before them, an ethereal counter appeared. Behind the counter stood a figure; a tall, cloaked being with no face, its features twice hidden beneath shadow.
"Greetings, Ascendants. Please place your tokens on the counter, and choose wisely," the creature said with its voice echoing with myriad whispers.
Liam wasted no time reaching into the pouch at his side, holding the strange glowing crystals that they had received in previous trials. He dropped a handful on the counter, after which the counter shimmered and revealed an array of items before him, each glowing faintly as they appeared: weapons, armor, scrolls, potions, and more, each more fascinating than the last.
Clara took a tentative step forward. She looked at Liam, who nodded in encouragement. Together, they informed themselves about what was available.

One object caught Liam's eye-it was a very sleek, dark sword that seemed to thrumm with energy, with the blade etched by ancient runes. He reached out and touched it. The moment his fingers brushed its surface, it pulsed with power, and a notification appeared before him.
[Purchase Successful] Darkfang Sword - Legendary Weapon: A blade forged in shadow, capable of cutting even the toughest of foes. Increases strength and agility.
A soft smile crept upon the lips of Liam. His eyes shifted now to a set of armor reminiscent of a very lightweight material that was deceptively strong but now glittered faintly. He placed the other token on the counter, and the armor appeared before him as if brought to life by order so that it fit perfectly.
Meanwhile, there was Clara, who also found her eyes falling on a really lovely and intricate bow, the body of which was made of wood and engraved into complex designs of mythic creatures. She hesitated but then heard her late mentor's voice whispering in her ear, "Don't waste this, Clara." She nodded, standing firm, and placed a token on the counter.
[Purchase Successful]Celestial Bow - Rare Weapon: A bow imbued with celestial energy. Arrow fired from it never goes astray and causes extra magic damage.

While shopping, Liam felt something off. They had discovered an egg in the forest earlier, which had belonged to a monstrous creature that they had slain, and was presently on the ground in between Liam and Clara, faintly glowing. The boy knelt down to inspect the egg while feeling an extremely strange pull toward it. The egg quivered slightly, and cracks began appearing on its surface.

Clara looked over and gasped. "Is it... hatching?"

Liam nodded slowly, watching as the cracks spread until, with sudden energy, the egg exploded apart to reveal within a small creature twisted up inside. It was something they had never seen before: it was translucent, emanating with a faint blue glow. At one moment, it opened delicate wings that shimmered with tiny bright points. Initially, it appeared weak, but once the creature opened its eyes, both of them felt an unexpressed tether bond between them.

It gazed into the eyes of Liam and Clara, and chirped softly. The next moment it jumped in the arms of Liam and nestled there. Despite its small size, this creature had a feeling of immense power about it.

"What is this?" Clara asked in amazement.

"I don't know," replied Liam softly, attention fixed on the creature in his arms, "but it seems it has chosen me."

Again, the little guy peeped, and right then an impulse went surging through Liam's frame, as if it had just granted him some fictive might. He was not sure what this meant, but he could feel it gaining ground deep within him, empowering him for the battles ahead.

With new weapons, new armor, and the new, as-yet-undetermined creature at their sides, Liam and Clara now made their way towards the far-end of that chamber where a large archway stood. Above that arch pulsed glowing runes, syncing in rhythm with their hearts to signal the opening now of the way forward.

Before passing through, Liam turned his face toward Clara, looking solemn. "Only the beginning, Clara. But I think with this creature... we should be prepared for anything."

Clara nodded, eyes like daggers. "Next trial. Too far to stop."

And with that, they crossed the threshold, and as they carried forward, the archway shimmered into something almost solid as they neared it, their journey through the Tower continued.

To Be Continued...