[ENG] Last Reader Standing

Chapter 4: Alice's Tower and the Guardian of Mirrors

The menacing forest was now behind them, giving way to a labyrinthine architecture that defied the laws of perception: Alice's Tower. Guided by the secret whispers of The Queen of the Night, Calla led them through the illusions of the tower, while Sora, with a calm yet powerful presence, sniffed out the hidden truth beneath the visual lies.

Alice, the Guardian of the Tower, once an innocent child of a classic tale, had now become a living paradox, her powers infused by Alice's Adventures in Wonderland having taken a dark turn. Her world was a distortion of mirrors and fantasies, a merciless battlefield for those who sought to challenge her.

« Be careful, » whispered Calla, her eyes piercing through the illusions. « This tower is a living trap. »

Jun nodded. « We must stay focused. The Rose of the Winds is here, I can feel it. »

The confrontation was intense and methodical, a ballet where every step counted. Jun executed combat strategies with the precision of a warrior's soul, unraveling Alice's thread with experience born from centuries inscribed in his book. The struggle ended when the unlikely alliance of the human, the thief, and the wolf overcame the entanglement of Alice's madness.

« Alice, you don't have to do this, » Jun tried, hoping to reach the true Alice behind the mirrors.

« I am the Guardian of the Mirrors, and my task is to protect this place, » Alice replied, her voice resonating with painful coldness. « You shall not pass. »

Their combined efforts finally led them to free the Rose of the Winds from its enchanted bonds. The tower, deprived of its Guardian, wept alabaster fragments onto the ground. The Rose of the Winds, now liberated, glowed with a freed brilliance. Jun gently took it, feeling its power vibrate beneath his fingers.

« We have it, » Jun murmured, gazing at the Rose of the Winds in awe. « We have the key to move forward. »

Alice, now freed from the tower's grip, looked at them with eyes filled with gratitude and regret. « I'm sorry, » she said. « This tower turned me into something I am not. Thank you for freeing me. »

Jun smiled gently. « You're free now. Come with us to the fortress, if you wish. »

Alice nodded, tears in her eyes. « Yes, I will accompany you there. »

The coalition, now strengthened by Alice, left the Tower of Mirrors, ready to face the challenges ahead. Their quest would lead them to even more dangerous lands, but with each victory, they got closer to their ultimate goal.

As they moved away from the tower, Jun turned to his companions. « We made a great step today. Let's keep moving forward, together. »

Calla and Alice nodded, determined. The road would be long, but with the Rose of the Winds in hand and their friendship as their shield, nothing could stop them.

Leaving Alice's Tower behind, the group ventured deeper into the unknown territory, where the boundaries between reality and fiction grew increasingly blurred. The trees around them seemed to whisper forgotten secrets, and the ground beneath their feet was littered with fragments of broken stories.

« This forest is a living labyrinth, » Calla remarked, her senses on high alert. « We must stay together. »

Jun nodded, holding the Rose of the Winds firmly. « This key is our guide. It will lead us through these trials. »

Sora, the faithful wolf, walked beside them, his instincts sharpened by invisible dangers. He growled softly, signaling an unknown presence. Jun and Calla prepared, but it was Alice who calmed them.

« It's nothing, » she said softly. « Just echoes of past stories. We are on the right path. »

As they advanced, visions of epic battles and legendary heroes danced around them, fragments of stories fighting to remain alive in this decaying world. Jun felt a deep connection with these tales, recognizing in them the echoes of the Chronicles of the Immortal.

« We must find the heart of this forest, » Jun declared with determination. « That's where we will discover the next step of our quest. »

Calla nodded, her gaze resolute. « Let's go. We can't afford to lose any time. »

Their journey led them to a clearing illuminated by a supernatural light. At the center stood an ancient stone, engraved with enigmatic runes. Jun approached cautiously, sensing the power emanating from the altar.

« This is it, » he murmured. « The next piece of the puzzle. »

As he placed his hand on the stone, a vision burst into his mind: a hidden temple, filled with mysteries and dangers. He knew it was their next destination. Sharing the vision with his companions, they all understood the importance of their mission.

« We must prepare, » Calla said, squeezing Alice's hand. « This temple will not be easy to traverse. »

Jun nodded. « We are ready. Together, we can overcome any obstacle. »

The group prepared, strengthening their resolve and refining their strategies. The Rose of the Winds glowed intensely, ready to guide its bearers to new adventures.

With the forest behind them and the temple ahead, Jun, Calla, Alice, and Sora moved forward with determination, knowing that each step brought them closer to their final goal.

Alice, accompanying them to the fortress, offered her knowledge and skills to help the group navigate through traps and illusions. As they neared the fortress, she prepared to leave them, giving advice and encouragement for the rest of their quest.

As they took the final steps toward the fortress, Jun turned to Alice. « Thank you for everything, Alice. Your help has been invaluable. »

She smiled gently. « Good luck to you all. May your quest be successful. »

With those words of farewell, Alice retreated into the shadows, leaving Jun, Calla, and Sora to continue their journey toward the temple and the mysteries that awaited them. Together, they were ready to face the challenges ahead, guided by the legends and powers of the Chronicles of the Immortal.