The Tower
Leaving the Tower of Star-Reading behind, I set out in the direction indicated by the old map. The sky is clear, and a pleasant breeze brushes against my cheeks. Yet my heart is taut with tension at the trials that surely await me. The terrain depicted on the old map consists entirely of landscapes I have never seen before. Deep forests, rugged mountains, and vast deserts. I must traverse each of these places one by one as I make my way to the ruins. First, I step into the deep forest. The trees tower high, blocking out the sunlight. It is dim inside the forest, and the damp air clings to my skin. I move forward cautiously, keeping a watchful eye on my surroundings. Various monsters inhabit the forest. Dangerous creatures like the “Shadow Wolf,” which resembles a wolf, and the “Poison Spider,” which looks like a giant spider, block my path. I take out the Harp of Atlantis and play a sacred melody. The sound of the harp calms the monsters and clears the way for me. After passing through the forest, I set out to conquer the rugged mountains. The mountain path is steep, and the footing is treacherous. Leaning on my staff, I climb step by step. As I approach the summit, the air grows thin, and it becomes hard to breathe. I take deep breaths to regain my strength. From the summit, I can take in a sweeping view of the vast landscape. In the distance, I can see the desert I’m heading toward. I gaze at the scenery for a moment to calm my mind. Then, I begin walking again. Descending the mountain, I set foot in the vast desert. The sun beats down mercilessly, and the desert is sweltering. I drink the water I brought to quench my thirst. The desert is dotted with water sources called oases. I keep walking relentlessly, aiming for an oasis. However, the desert is vast, and I can’t seem to find an oasis. I’m completely exhausted and on the verge of collapsing. Just then, a man appears before me. He’s dressed like a desert dweller and is riding a camel. The man approaches me and asks, “Traveler, where are you headed?” I tell him I’m heading for the ruins of an ancient civilization. Hearing this, the man says, “Ruins, huh… That’s a dangerous place. Let me guide you there.” I accept his offer and climb onto the camel. The camel moves slowly through the desert, and I listen as the man tells me stories about life in the desert and the ruins. He knows the location of the ruins and promises to guide me there. With his guidance, I finally arrive at the ruins of the ancient civilization. The ruins stand quietly in the middle of the desert, weathered by the passage of time. I thank the man and step inside the ruins. The interior of the ruins was as intricate as a maze, and I found myself lost. However, relying on the ancient map, I searched for the path I needed to take. Then, a door adorned with strange patterns appeared before my eyes. I touched the door and pushed it open with all my strength. Beyond the door lay a vast space. And at its center stood a massive altar. Engraved on the altar were the same symbols depicted on the ancient map. I approach the altar and stare intently at the symbols. Suddenly, they begin to glow, and ancient knowledge floods into my mind. I comprehend this ancient knowledge and recall the steps of the ritual to open the entrance to “The Place of Beginnings.” Standing before the altar, I begin the ritual.
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