Two days later, Eleanor's soul was drawn through a vast, formless darkness and deposited before a colossal gate pulsing with an ancient, oppressive aura.
A familiar voice echoed in her mind, calm and resonant:
"Welcome to the Tower of Legends. The Tower contains one hundred levels, each presenting challenges of increasing difficulty. You may fight your way upward or withdraw whenever you deem it beyond you. Death within the Tower will not claim you — your consciousness will be returned to your capsule. At any time, you may say aloud that you quit, and you will be removed. Each level must be completed within ten minutes, or the challenge will be marked as failed."
The voice paused briefly before continuing, its tone carrying a faint reverence.
