Altier

I

The dark and foreboding tower rose up against the twinkling sky, an ominous shape against the shower of stars above. Its twisted shape drew shadows towards it, welcoming them into its embrace. It shared its darkness with the land around it, casting shadows over the surrounding landscape. As if the land felt the wickedness of the tower, the trees snarled upon themselves, their rotting bark and shriveled leaves clinging to their empty shells.

The wind howled as it blew past, catching in the hollowed arches of trees and rocks. Stray debris was carried with it, drifting ever closer to the menacing tower.

Against the darkness, the tower sparkled. The sole light on top of the tower flashed briefly before disappearing into the darkness around it. Every few minutes it would reappear, acting as a beacon to those who searched the dark tower out.

Beneath the tower, the land was still with the coming of night. No living creature ventured close to the monolith by choice. The animals that once called this land their home long since vanished. The only creatures foolish enough to remain were the ones who had desolated the land in the first place.

From high up on the tower, the moonlight caught on a bit of silver before it passed beneath a cloud. There was a loud clink as a small ventilation shaft on the side of the tower burst open. The cover tumbled down, crashing to the ground below it.

The figure paused, daring to catch his breath. The chains on his ankles and wrists clinked with every little movement. Even high above the ground, and no guards in sight, every little sound worried him. It would just be a matter of time before they found him.

After a quick breather, he continued forward. He used the twisted spikes jutting out of the tower as footholds as he pulled himself along. Even though he knew it was useless, he couldn't stand to be inside that tower any longer. Even be it to his death, he needed to escape.

As predicted, the alarmed shouts rose up behind him only moments later. Their voices carried with the wind, spreading to the other parts of the tower. He could hear newcomers joining in all around him. Still, he pressed on. He would never go back inside.

He suddenly heard a voice behind him. Panicking, he jumped, skipping some of the spikes as he surged around the tower. Luck was with him this time though. He landed hard on a small overhang jutting out for one of the lower levels. He caught himself with the spikes he had tumbled down from and slowly pulled himself back up.

He wasn't sure what compelled him to climb to the top of the tower. He knew it was the only way to get free though. Something inside him told him it was the truth. Like the voice of a temptress, it whispered to him, luring him higher into the sky.

He pulled himself higher, resuming his climb upward. Faster, higher. He climbed and climbed. His arms and legs were sore and stiff, but he forced himself to continue on. If he took a break, it would all be over. He could rest when he was finally free from that tormented prison.

"Allo-ox!" one of the guards screamed up at him. Like he would listen. He wouldn't stop. He wouldn't climb back down. Higher and higher, that's all he would do. Closer to the dangerously sharp point at the top of the tower.

"Immen jung na!" another guard shouted. Oh, he was starting to worry them. So what if he fell? It didn't matter to him. Either way, he would be free- with or without his life. He would no longer stand for being locked up in that awful place.