Tower of Paradise

The news fell like a physical blow in the room.

I watched as Cassie's shoulders tensed almost imperceptibly, her fingers gripping the edge of my bed more tightly. To my right, Reinhardt tried to maintain a relaxed posture, but I could detect the rigidity in his jaw and the way his blue eyes quickly calculated, silently readjusting plans.

—Next week?

Cassie's voice sounded surprisingly soft, though I noticed the slight trembling in her lips.

—It's... it's too soon.

I watched as Emilia approached, her steps resonating with an unsettling echo in the dormitory. The whisper of her black dress against the wooden floor sent an internal shiver through me as she moved with that smile I so despised.

—Oh, dear!

Exclaimed Emilia, extending a hand to stroke Cassie's hair. I could see how my friend suppressed a shiver at that contact.

—They've been looking for a girl exactly like you.

"Exactly like you."

Those words resonated in my mind with a sinister meaning that only the three of us could fully comprehend. I noticed how Reinhardt's hand casually slid toward his pocket, where he kept one of his notebooks.

—Thank you, mom. Could I...

Cassie cleared her throat, her red eyes briefly meeting mine.

—Could I have a moment more with my friends? To... to process the news.

I saw how Emilia's smile faltered for a fraction of a second, a detail that wouldn't have escaped Reinhardt's attention, whose fingers visibly tensed around the edge of his notebook.

—Of course, dear.

Responded Emilia, backing toward the door.

—But don't take too long, dinner isn't far off and everyone needs to eat, especially you, Arceus.

Her gaze settled on me with an intensity that made my instincts scream in alert.

—You've had a very difficult day.

I maintained my neutral expression as she left. When the door finally closed, the three of us maintained our position for several seconds, listening attentively to the sound of her steps moving away down the hallway.

Only when the last echo faded did Reinhardt quickly move toward the door, checking that there was no one outside.

Standing on my own legs was a blessing I had always taken for granted. I took slow and firm steps while stretching my legs. Being in bed all day didn't suit my body well.

—One week.

Muttered Reinhardt, turning toward us. His usual calm had been replaced by contained urgency.

—They've given us one week.

I saw how Cassie got up from my bed, beginning to walk back and forth across the dormitory. Her crimson hair shone like blood under the moonlight filtering through the window.

—It's not enough time.

She whispered, more to herself than to us. If Cassie wanted to escape with everyone, she had to make many preparations, among them, convincing the younger ones that the world they lived in was nothing but a fantasy.

—Damn it. We were being completely naive!

Reinhardt hit the wall hard while Cassie sat on my bed.

—Things aren't going well for us.

I sighed with discouragement. It was evident that we remained under their control, whether we liked it or not. At this rate, only one fate awaited us: death.

—If we really can't escape... We must overcome the one who calls herself our mother!

Exclaimed Reinhardt, his furrowed brows and grim look betraying his anger.

—We need more information anyway.

Cassie forced a smile while looking at us. Her optimism, though forced, was refreshing considering our situation.

—First we have to find out where those two came from.

She said, referring to the caretakers of the underground orphanage.

I nodded in agreement. It was a known fact by everyone that every time a child left, a helpless baby arrived at the orphanage. It was a sinister cycle that repeated constantly.

—In other words, they return to complete the orphanage's "supplies."

Concluded Reinhardt with a thoughtful look.

—I agree. There must be some place where those beings... are producing or abducting their supply of babies.

I added, although my mind was already considering other darker possibilities.

None of us really knew the outside world or what awaited us once we managed to get out of here. It was an unsettling thought.

—A source that provides humans for consumption, huh...

Cassie's voice sounded sad while she looked at the floor.

But something didn't fit in that theory. Were they really eating them?

My instinct told me that important pieces were missing in this puzzle.

—Our biggest clue is the fact that there are other adult humans besides the caretakers. Perhaps there are multiple "orphanages" like this one too.

Reflected Reinhardt, with his hand on his chin.@@novelbin@@

—Where do those adults... are born to serve these beings? Or where are they abducted from human society?

I posed the question, knowing that the answer could completely change our understanding of the outside world.

Cassie raised three fingers in our direction.

—To summarize our situation in three points. One: Adults are the key to understanding the outside world. Two: We have less than a week to escape. Three: We must activate the magical scroll at the right time and place.

Although none of these points seemed the most crucial to me, I decided to keep listening before revealing my own conclusions.

—Cassie, what are the parameters for the magical scroll to activate?

—Let's see...

Cassie thought about it for a moment.

—The success of teleportation largely depends on the caster's knowledge of the destination.

It was just what I feared: we would be randomly teleported because Cassie wasn't familiar with any specific place.

—How do you activate the scroll?

I asked again, bringing my left hand to my chin. This was something Reinhardt already knew, so my friend simply crossed his arms while listening in silence.

—Once the scroll is opened, the spell activated inside it will emit a bright light.

—Guys, I'm sorry to ruin the plan but...

I looked at the hopeful faces of my two friends one by one while speaking slowly. It was time to reveal the truth I had discovered.

—In this orphanage... there exists an artifact that nullifies teleportation spells.