Floor 290 pulsed with energy, every corner alive with whispers and watchful eyes. Shubh and Williams walked through the sprawling streets, arenas looming above them like monoliths of power. Even the rain couldn't wash away the tension that hung in the air.
"You feel it too, don't you?" Williams asked, glancing at Shubh. "It's… different here. Almost like the Tower itself is watching us."
Shubh's eyes scanned the crowds. Warriors, Masters, and challengers alike observed them with a mix of awe, suspicion, and envy. "I've felt it since we arrived. This floor isn't just about fighting. It's about survival, alliances, and knowing who to trust."
Not all eyes were friendly. Hidden in the upper galleries, a group of cloaked figures exchanged signals.
"He's too fast. Too strong," one hissed. "If he climbs further, he could challenge even the Masters we protect. We need to act before it's too late."
Another nodded. "Send someone. Quiet. Make it look like an accident."
Unseen by Shubh, a silent threat had already been set in motion—a shadow moving through the Tower, waiting for the perfect moment.
High above, in a golden chamber that overlooked the entire floor, Sun of West sat on his throne, fingers steepled. He observed Shubh with an unreadable expression, noting every movement, every reaction.
Interesting, he murmured. He adapts quickly, and his mastery of multiple affinities is exceptional. Yet he lacks foresight in navigating the politics of the Tower. That will be the true test.
Without moving, Sun of West sent subtle disturbances into the Tower—illusions, shadows, and misleading trails. These were not attacks, but tests of intuition, perception, and awareness.
Shubh and Williams entered a small arena to rest, but the floor itself seemed restless. Stones levitated subtly, shadows flickered unnaturally, and whispers of movement teased the edges of their senses.
"This isn't normal," Williams said, tension in his voice. "Someone—or something—is watching us."
Shubh's fists clenched. "I know. It's not about fighting them head-on. We need to see the threats before they see us. The Tower is testing more than strength now—it's testing instinct."
He extended his senses, letting the energies of Floor 290 ripple through him. Subtle distortions, faint traces of affinity, and hidden movements became visible. Shubh's awareness sharpened, his mind mapping the floor like a chessboard.
Suddenly, a figure appeared at the far end of the arena—a cloaked master, radiating a deadly calm. Shubh sensed the power immediately: Master-level affinity, highly trained, and controlled.
The figure spoke, voice low and smooth:
"Shubh. I've been waiting for you. The next trial isn't about who strikes harder—it's about who understands the flow of this Tower."
Shubh's eyes narrowed. "Who sent you?"
The figure's lips curved into a faint smile. "Let's just say… the Sun of West is curious about you. Consider this your first real test on Floor 290. Fail, and the shadows you've been ignoring will catch you."
Williams stepped forward, hand on Shubh's shoulder. "Whatever comes, we face it together."
Shubh nodded, resolve hardening in his chest. This was more than a battle for strength—it was a battle of wits, instincts, and survival.
The storm above mirrored the turmoil within the Tower, whispering of challenges yet unseen. And somewhere in the distance, the cloaked figure vanished, leaving Shubh to prepare for a trial unlike any he had faced before