A DIVINE FOOL

Chapter 17: The Sentinel's Judgment

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The Tower of Infinity

The massive structure loomed before them, its spire vanishing into the swirling skies of the Realm of Echoes. The walls of the tower shimmered like liquid metal, constantly shifting and reflecting fragments of the past, present, and future. It pulsed with energy, as if alive.

Yuki craned his neck to look up. "Why does everything here have to be so big? Couldn't the Void build something a little less… intimidating?"

Kaida smirked, though her grip on her sword tightened. "Would you rather fight another swarm of shadows?"

"Good point."

Aria studied the tower, her expression unreadable. "This is the Tower of Infinity, a place where all possibilities converge. If the legends are true, it contains answers to the deepest questions of existence… but only for those deemed worthy."

Yuki frowned. "And if we're not deemed worthy?"

Aria's voice dropped to a whisper. "Then the tower will destroy us."

A tense silence followed her words. Kaida broke it by stepping forward, determination etched on her face. "Well, standing here won't change anything. Let's go."

The trio moved toward the entrance, each step feeling heavier as an invisible pressure bore down on them. The massive doors of the tower groaned open on their own, revealing a dark interior lit by swirling, ethereal lights.

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The Sentinel Appears

The moment they stepped inside, the doors slammed shut behind them, plunging the room into silence. The air was thick with power, and the shimmering lights coalesced into a single point above them.

From the glowing orb, a figure emerged—a towering humanoid form made entirely of shimmering energy. It had no distinct features, only a vague outline of a head, arms, and legs. Its voice boomed, echoing through the chamber.

"Who dares enter the Tower of Infinity?"

Yuki instinctively raised his hands. "Uh, hi! We're just passing through! No need to get dramatic!"

The figure ignored him, its faceless head turning toward Aria. "You seek the truth of the Void. To claim it, you must prove your worth."

Aria stepped forward, her voice steady. "We're ready."

The Sentinel tilted its head, as if studying her. "You may be ready, but they"—it gestured toward Yuki and Kaida—"are untested. This trial is not for you alone, Seeker. It is for all who stand beside you."

Kaida drew her sword, its blade gleaming in the faint light. "We've faced every challenge together. This will be no different."

The Sentinel's form flickered, and it seemed to smile, though it had no face. "We shall see."

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The Trial of the Sentinel

Without warning, the ground beneath them shifted. The smooth floor splintered into jagged platforms, each floating in a sea of swirling energy. Yuki, Kaida, and Aria found themselves separated, each standing on their own platform.

"Great," Yuki muttered, wobbling slightly as his platform swayed. "I hate being separated!"

The Sentinel's voice thundered. "This is the Trial of Unity. To ascend, you must rely on each other. Fail to act as one, and you will fall."

Before Yuki could ask what that meant, the air around him shimmered, and shadowy figures began to rise from the energy below.

"Okay, here we go again," he groaned, activating his artifact.

Kaida faced a similar threat, shadowy enemies circling her platform. She took a deep breath and tightened her grip on her sword. "Yuki! Aria! Can you hear me?"

"I'm here!" Yuki called back, swinging wildly at a shadow that lunged at him.

"Same," Aria replied, raising her staff as a wave of shadows surged toward her. "Stay focused. The trial is testing our ability to work together. We need to coordinate!"

"Easy for you to say!" Yuki yelped as another shadow lunged at him, its claws narrowly missing his face.

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The Path Forward

As the battle raged on, the platforms began to shift and move, closing the distance between them. Aria's sharp mind quickly caught on.

"The platforms are responding to us," she said, blasting another shadow with a burst of energy. "If we can align them, we might be able to regroup."

"Align them?" Yuki shouted, ducking under a shadow's attack. "Do I look like an engineer?!"

"Just follow my lead!" Aria commanded, her voice firm.

Kaida took the initiative, leaping across the narrowing gap between her platform and Yuki's. She landed gracefully, cutting down a shadow that had been about to strike him.

"Thanks," Yuki panted.

"Don't mention it," Kaida replied, her focus already shifting to the next threat.

Aria worked quickly, using her magic to manipulate the energy currents around the platforms. Slowly but surely, the three platforms converged, forming a single surface.

"Got it!" Aria shouted, joining them as the last of the shadows dissipated.

The Sentinel's voice echoed again. "You have passed the first stage of the trial. But unity is not merely physical—it is also of the heart."

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The Inner Struggle

The platform beneath them began to glow, and the shadows returned—not as enemies, but as familiar figures.

Kaida froze as she saw the faces of her fallen comrades, their eyes filled with blame.

Aria's shoulders tensed as an image of her younger self appeared, bound in chains of light.

Yuki stepped back as a towering version of himself loomed over him, its voice mocking. "You're nothing but a fool. What makes you think you belong here?"

"Not this again," Yuki muttered, his voice trembling.

Aria's voice cut through the illusions. "They're not real! Focus on each other, not the lies!"

Kaida closed her eyes, taking a deep breath. She pushed the guilt aside and focused on the present—on the people beside her. "We're in this together."

Yuki hesitated, the mocking version of himself still looming over him. But then he looked at Kaida and Aria, their unwavering determination giving him strength. "Right," he said, standing tall. "Together."

The illusions shattered, and the platform stabilized.

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The Sentinel's Verdict

The Sentinel's form reappeared, its energy glowing brighter than before. "You have faced the shadows within and emerged stronger. You have proven your unity in both body and spirit."

The platform rose, carrying them toward the top of the tower. As they ascended, the Sentinel's voice softened.

"Few have reached this point. The truth you seek lies ahead. But be warned—the answers may not be what you expect."

Yuki exchanged a glance with Kaida and Aria. "Well, we've come this far. No point in backing out now."

Kaida smirked. "Agreed."

Aria nodded, though her expression remained serious. "Let's see what the Void has to reveal."

As the platform came to a halt, they stepped forward, ready to face whatever awaited them at the top of the Tower of Infinity.

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End of Chapter 17