Alpha Instinct

The landscape's changing fast," Leonard commented, frowning as he adjusted his horse's reins. The lush green grass and leafy trees of the past few days were giving way to dark rocks and barren ground.

"It better be changing," Evelyn grumbled. "Means we're getting close. And it also means we need to be extra careful."

"It looks like... dead land," Kaleb said, shivering. "Not a blade of grass, not an insect..."

"That's what you'd expect from a volcanic region, Kaleb," Mikaela replied, matter-of-factly. "Heat, ash, toxic fumes... it's not exactly paradise."

On the horizon, a colossal structure rose up, completely out of place in the desolate landscape. It was an immense tower, made of smooth, dark stone, with an archaic design and strange angles, nothing like the familiar architecture of Dunkel.

"What is that?" Leonard asked, fascinated and somewhat apprehensive.

"One of the Seven God Towers," Mikaela replied, with a tone of reverence. "They've been in Humbra far longer than any humans. Nobody knows who built them or why."

"And what's inside?" Leonard pressed.

Mikaela shrugged. "Nobody knows. They've tried everything... even destroying them. But it seems like some supernatural force protects them." Your next chapter is on My Virtual Library Empire

"They say whoever goes in never comes out," Evelyn added, with a somber tone. "The ancient texts call it the 'Trial of the Gods.' There are seven of these towers scattered across the world."

"Wrong!", Kaleb interrupted with a know-it-all air. "They did manage to get inside one of the towers. And they studied everything inside."

Mikaela, cutting Kaleb off, excitedly recalled, "That's right! The Tower of Light, of my beloved Goddess... one day, it simply allowed entry. That's how the Church of Light was born!"

"And what could have caused that to happen?" Leonard asked, curious.

"The mercy and love of the Goddess for us humans," Mikaela replied fervently.

Evelyn rolled her eyes. "Or maybe it was just a glitch in the matrix. Nobody knows for sure. All the rest is faith and superstition."

Mikaela muttered something unintelligible and shrugged, before murmuring to herself, "Bunch of faithless people..."

"By the way, Mikaela," Leonard asked, breaking the silence, "what was inside the Tower of Light?"

Mikaela smiled, a nostalgic gleam in her eyes. "Fifty floors," she replied, emphatically. "All filled with unimaginable treasures, artifacts of power, ancient teachings... and even scrolls with lost abilities."

"Wow," Leonard murmured, impressed. "Sounds like it was worth it, anyway."

Mikaela, without a word, spurred her horse, moving a few meters ahead. "If it was worth it?" she said, her voice filled with emotion. Then, she raised her arm towards the sky.

A ray of golden light, as if summoned from the heavens themselves, descended towards her raised fist. When the light dissipated, the legendary Kalendor, the sacred sword, shone in her hand.

"The Goddess of Light is my mother," Mikaela declared, with pride and devotion. "She took care of me and gifted me with Kalendor."

Leonard, awestruck by the sight of the divine sword, let slip a comment to the wind: "I wonder what artifacts are in the other towers..."

The terrain became increasingly rugged, with volcanic rocks and fissures in the ground. The hot, dry air, heavy with sulfur, indicated that they were entering the area of the Skull Volcanoes.

"Hold up!" Evelyn said abruptly, stopping her horse. She activated her ELEV, and her eyes glowed with a golden light. "I'm seeing something ahead... Hawk Eyes."

After a few seconds of observation, she continued, her voice tense: "Several Diabolus Impetus... far off. And... they're fighting another group of Neumonds. Looks like they're in trouble; there are a lot of Diabolus."

Mikaela growled words of disgust. "Diabolus Impetus... the epitome of evil. Abominations that only spread chaos and destruction."

"So? Are we going to help them?" Kaleb asked, looking at Leonard.

Leonard shrugged, indifferent. "Doesn't matter. Everyone dies, sooner or later," he said coldly.

Leonard's response, loaded with an unusual nihilism, seemed to shock Evelyn. She frowned, concerned, and, without saying another word, spurred her horse, charging towards the battle. "Don't be cold and stupid! I'm going... Ugh... Kori!" she shouted over her shoulder.

Evelyn's words, particularly the final one, struck Leonard with a sudden intensity. For a brief instant, he felt as if his spirit had been ripped from his body. On impulse, he spurred his horse, racing after Evelyn.

"What did you say?" he asked, his voice urgent, almost desperate, as he approached.

Evelyn shrugged, not understanding his reaction.

Leonard, losing patience, matched his horse with hers and abruptly pulled the reins, making the animal rear up and stop suddenly, side by side.

"Are you crazy?!," Evelyn exclaimed, irritated by the dangerous maneuver.

"What was it that you said?" Leonard repeated, his voice now cold and controlled, but with a frightening intensity.

"I said you were being cold and stupid," Evelyn replied, confused and angry.

"Not that! Afterwards!" Leonard insisted, his voice tense.

Evelyn, now visibly irritated, responded with disdain: "I said, 'You're Kori!'"

The word hit him like a punch to the gut. An intense chill ran down Leonard's spine. "Where... where did you hear that word?" he asked, his voice strained, his hand gripping Evelyn's shoulder tightly.

Evelyn, annoyed by the exaggerated reaction and the grip, abruptly broke free. "It's 'ice,' or 'cold,' in the Ancient Tongue! And you were being the coldest of all, acting like that!" she replied, her voice full of anger.

Leonard, realizing his own overreaction and Evelyn's explanation, felt a wave of shame. He had been a complete idiot.

Back behind, Kaleb, watching the scene beside Mikaela, didn't miss the opportunity. "Look at that... looks like we have a little couple's quarrel in the middle of the road! Is love really that complicated, even for heroes?" he said, with a malicious grin.

Mikaela chuckled softly and nodded, an amused glint in her eyes. "Let's go put out that fire," she concluded.

Kaleb, however, just rolled his eyes dramatically. "Great," he muttered, "now I have to play referee and fight monsters. Just another day in paradise, I guess."