Episode 26 – "The Tower of Emotions"
As Aeron stepped into the glowing gate, the scenery around him shifted into a vast space—endless stars above, ancient stone beneath. A colossal tower loomed before him, each floor emanating a different aura.
Az (now in monk robes, floating in lotus position):
"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Tower of Emotions!
Five floors. Five tests.
And yes, one wrong move, and you're emotionally roasted alive.
Let's go!"
---
1st Floor – The Flame of Anger
Aeron entered a battlefield. Illusions of people he hated or feared stood before him, mocking, taunting—his past, his betrayal, the ones who abandoned him.
His fists clenched.
But instead of lashing out, he breathed slowly. "Anger can be fire… or fuel."
He walked through the flames with eyes glowing like fire itself.
Cleared.
---
2nd Floor – The Echo of Love
He saw his mother—smiling gently, calling him. Then, the family that raised her, trying to tear her away. A painful illusion of her final moments played before him.
Tears welled up, but he didn't break.
He placed his hand over his heart. "I will carry your love with strength, not sorrow."
The vision faded. A warm breeze passed.
Cleared.
---
3rd Floor – The Test of Will
Aeron faced a steep climb up a freezing cliff, heavy chains on his limbs. A voice kept whispering:
> "You are not worthy."
"You were always the abandoned one."
But step by step, bleeding, trembling, he climbed.
Aeron:
"If I give up now, I lose everything… I will never stop."
Chains shattered.
Cleared.
---
4th Floor – The Maze of Mind
An endless labyrinth appeared. Voices in his head. Illusions of enemies. Paths that twisted into nothing.
He sat down and closed his eyes.
"I am not lost. I am my path."
His guardian beast appeared behind him, roaring softly—guiding his mind back.
A straight path opened.
Cleared.
---
5th Floor – The Depth of Feeling
Here, there was nothing—no light, no sound. Just pure emotion.
Aeron stood alone, vulnerable.
Suddenly, everyone he cared about stood before him—then turned away one by one. Alone again.
He took a deep breath.
"Even if I stand alone, I'll protect those who matter. I won't lose myself."
The silence cracked like glass.
Light poured in.
Trial… Cleared.
---
Outside the Trial
Az spun midair with a flashy "SUCCESS" sign:
Az:
"Well well well—he did it! That's our chosen one!
5 floors, 5 emotions, and zero mental breakdowns. Almost boring."
He winked at readers:
"Don't worry. The next arc? Let's just say the sword's true form… hasn't even woken up yet."