The Tower of Despair trembled as Gok and Wu-Ji stood before the defeated shadow-beast, its remains disintegrating into wisps of dark energy. The pulsating walls shifted, and the chamber ahead began to reshape itself.
"You feel that?" Wu-Ji asked, gripping his stolen key tightly.
Gok nodded, his senses on high alert. The air was thick with energy, as if the tower itself was alive and observing their every move. "Something's coming. Something big."
The ground beneath them glowed, and a massive circular platform rose from the floor, its surface etched with intricate runes. At the center of the platform, a figure materialized—a man clad in black and silver armor, radiating an aura of raw power. In his hand, he held an orb pulsating with shifting colors, its energy seeming to warp the space around it.
"Welcome, challengers," the figure said, his voice calm yet commanding. "I am Helix, the Orb Wielder, guardian of the second floor. To ascend further, you must defeat me. But know this—your journey ends here."
The Battle Begins
Without warning, Helix raised the orb, and a massive wave of energy exploded outward. Gok and Wu-Ji were forced to leap back, narrowly avoiding the attack.
"That thing's dangerous," Wu-Ji muttered, summoning his Zodiac powers to deflect a second wave of energy.
"Tell me something I don't know," Gok replied, charging forward with the Infinite Blade glowing in his hand. He swung the blade with all his might, the force of the strike tearing through the air.
But as the blade neared Helix, the orb in his hand flared, creating a barrier that absorbed the attack effortlessly.
"You'll need more than brute force to defeat me," Helix said, a smirk forming on his face.
A Game of Wits and Power
Helix began to manipulate the orb, summoning constructs of energy that attacked Gok and Wu-Ji from all sides. Each construct was faster and stronger than the last, forcing the two to fight defensively.
Wu-Ji, using his Zodiac abilities, managed to destroy a few constructs, but the orb's power seemed limitless. "We need to target the orb directly," he shouted.
"How do we get past that shield?" Gok growled, frustration evident in his voice.
Wu-Ji glanced at the stolen key in his hand. "This might work, but I'll need a clear shot!"
Gok nodded, gripping the Infinite Blade tightly. "Leave it to me."
With a roar, Gok charged at Helix, unleashing a flurry of devastating attacks. The energy from the blade clashed against Helix's barrier, creating shockwaves that shook the entire chamber.
The Key's Power
As Gok kept Helix occupied, Wu-Ji activated the key. The runes on its surface glowed brightly, and a beam of energy shot toward the orb.
The barrier around Helix flickered, weakening just enough for Gok to land a direct hit. The Infinite Blade struck the orb, sending cracks spidering across its surface.
Helix staggered, his smirk replaced by a look of disbelief. "Impossible..."
Gok didn't waste the opportunity. With a final, thunderous swing, he shattered the orb completely.
The Aftermath
Helix fell to his knees as the shattered remnants of the orb dissipated into the air. "You may have defeated me," he said, his voice weak, "but this is only the beginning. The true test awaits you... at the peak of the tower."
As Helix vanished, the platform began to descend, revealing a staircase leading to the next floor.
Wu-Ji wiped the sweat from his brow, glancing at Gok. "That was close."
Gok sheathed the Infinite Blade, his expression serious. "If every floor is like this, we've got a long way to go."
A New Ally
Before they could ascend, a small glowing fragment floated toward them—a piece of the shattered orb. As it hovered in front of Gok, it transformed into a sphere of pure light and entered his chest.
"Looks like the tower wants you to keep going," Wu-Ji said with a smirk.
Gok clenched his fist, feeling the newfound power coursing through him. "Then let's not disappoint it."
The chapter ends with the two ascending the staircase, their determination stronger than ever as the tower looms ominously above.
"The third floor holds answers about the tower's true nature, but the keeper guarding them isn't ready to give them up without a fight."