Blossom Fable

Chapter 31

On the way to the Chaos Tower, we come across twelve more bodies, all murdered in the same way. Eight are already laid down side by side on the grass, with single flowers on their chests. The other four look murdered just before we met them. Laying flowers on their chests feels like plucking out more of my soul, leaving it on the wayside. I can't help but feel that I am responsible too for their deaths. I may have jump started the brother god's thirst for war. For blood.

"We're almost there," Avery says, when the Chaos Tower fully rises above us, a formidable beast that holds all kinds of terrors. Its gray surface does not reflect the sun, as if it wishes to soak up all the shadows that it can. Piercing the clouds, it welcomes us by slowly revealing the imperfections of its surface, the way it looks like a giant hammer was taken to it, leaving a gnarled appearance.

I stand with Nathaniel, Princess, Avery, Juno, and a hovering Mist in front of the entrance to the Chaos Tower. Several parties rest outside, drinking potions and snacking on dried fruits and meats.

Nathaniel inquires with the nearest party. Apparently, about thirty parties have already made their way inside. The parties resting will take their turns inside once their strength recovers. And some are waiting for further news—if anyone comes back out the Tower to give us more information about how to proceed.

After all, no one has dared enter the Tower for centuries. It's said that you will not exit once you enter. You will be eaten by the most dangerous of monsters. In fact, it's rumored that the Tower will drive you crazy. If you are not slashed apart first, your mind will get to you.

"We should talk about the plan," Juno says. "The Chaos Tower is separated into two. The first part, we need to ascend. Then, we can descend into the second part. There's no way to blast through the walls to get to the other side."

"What a shame!" Princess says. "If anyone can do it, Nathaniel would be able to Blast it open."

"I'm afraid I cannot," Nathaniel says. "Adventurers in the past have tried to do so. Many just as powerful as me."

"People have exited the Chaos Tower?" I ask.

Nathaniel answers, "Yes, although most do not. I'd say that the adventurers here know the risks, but they can exit again. I know they can."

A part of me hums with warmth at Nathaniel's belief for the adventurers here. He blessed many of the mages who came along. And I'm sure they take comfort in the fact that the mage instructor accompanies them, even though he does so in his ghostly form. In fact, many of the parties here look to him now.

"We should decide when to enter," Avery says. "We shouldn't wait too long, or the brother god might overwhelm the parties already inside."

"I agree," Juno says.

Princess nods. "After a short break then! Let's down some potions and eat something so that we don't faint inside."

Mist snacks on some beef jerky that we brought for him, and another dragon that went ahead meets up with him, talking through their dragon-telepathy. Mist grins many times, wagging his tail. Even though the dragon may be ten times his size, Mist holds his own and stands tall. I wonder if they are talking about their masters. I look away, embarrassed that Mist would be paired with someone like me.

I down a green potion, which will help me with stamina. As the sun begins to set, I tell my party and Nathaniel, "I think we should head in. No party has exited yet, so they may need our help inside."

Nathaniel and the others agree. After waking Mist up from a nap, he tells me, This is great! I may be a child dragon, but I'm already heading off on my first grand adventure. A war, no less. I will be the first to bite the brother god to shreds. Believe me, imprinter.