Chapter 4: The Night Balcony and the Guardian Spirit
After carefully surveying the silent hall, the wanderer slowly dismounted from Aqualion, gently patting its neck in gratitude. The water spirit horse neighed softly in response, then dissolved into a shimmering stream, fading into the void as it returned to the spirit realm.
"Now, it begins."
He moved toward the spiral staircase that led downward, each step striking the stone with a hollow echo. The air grew damp and cold as he descended—filled with the scent of moss and ancient magic, as if time itself stood still in this place, merely existing without motion.
Below, he entered a vast circular chamber—staggering in size, with a radius of two to three hundred meters. The stone walls were blanketed in glowing moss, casting a soft green light like moonlight in a cave. Ancient magical lanterns lined the walls—not burning, but pulsing gently like slumbering flames, bathing the entire chamber in a surreal, dreamlike stillness.
At the far edge of the room, another spiral staircase appeared—this time leading upward, suggesting that this floor was merely a bend in the journey. No creatures guarded it. No traps awaited. Only silence.
The wanderer sensed something strange, though not threatening. He studied the space carefully, memorized its details, then turned back and began his ascent to the upper floor.
The next floor was flooded with radiant amber light. The last rays of sunset filtered through magical crevices in the tower's structure, forming long, blade-like streaks across the smooth stone floor.
This space felt entirely different—warm and… alive. There were rooms here, as if people had once lived in this part of the tower:
A living room, with old wooden chairs and a round table covered in dust, still arranged neatly as if time had paused.
A dining room, simple yet complete with an ancient well—its water crystal clear, untainted, an oddity in this abandoned place.
And most curiously, a small chamber tucked into a corner, its wooden door engraved with a soul sigil.
Upon entering the chamber, the wanderer felt a gentle, cooling presence emanating from its center. There, a spirit floated—its form soft and hazy, shaped like a young woman, her glow as tender as the new moon.
"You are… the chosen one," a voice whispered in his mind, light as a passing breeze.
There was no hostility. No challenge. Only grace. The spirit bestowed a quiet gift upon the room: a sanctuary of restoration, where both body and soul could gradually recover.
The wanderer nodded in silent thanks, but he did not linger.
He stepped out of the spirit's chamber and walked toward the grand balcony that extended from the tower's side. The night wind from the Augria Dunes brushed against him, carrying the scent of dust, magic, and time.
Outside, the sun had vanished.
The endless sands below were now swallowed by violet twilight, and the first stars began to twinkle in the sky above. Gentle winds whispered through the stone crevices, as though echoing voices from the past.
The wanderer stood there for a long while. He didn't think much. He simply… listened to the wind, gazed at the sky, and let himself be still.
He chose to rest on this floor for the night. Ahead were the tower's upper levels—perhaps holding the greatest secrets of the Pleiades Watchtower.
But that was for tomorrow.
Tonight, he would sleep.
And the spirit would quietly guard the dream of the wanderer.
The radiant morning sunlight pierced through the window, chasing away the darkness that had cloaked the Pleiades Watchtower through the night. The wanderer awoke, feeling the warmth of the early light brushing across the sleeping quarters. He opened his eyes and gazed for a while at the sky outside, where the soft pink hue of dawn was slowly spreading.
Rising sluggishly, he stretched his arms to shake off the remnants of sleep. The cold stone floor beneath his feet reminded him of the stark contrast between this ancient tower and the scorching sands beyond its walls.
He splashed some water from the well onto his face, the refreshing chill jolting his senses fully awake. Entering the kitchen area, he found an assortment of cooking ingredients—root vegetables, dried meat, and unfamiliar yet fragrant spices. After preparing a simple but nourishing breakfast, energy surged through his body, readying him for whatever awaited in the upper levels of the Pleiades Watchtower.
He ascended the spiral staircase once more, each step bringing him closer to the unknown. At the top, he arrived at a doorway—and beyond it, a strange sight.
A vast, glowing white chamber, completely empty except for a single object standing at its heart: a massive monolith of uncarved stone, towering and enigmatic.
Curious, the wanderer approached without hesitation and gently touched its surface. A wave of cold yet powerful energy surged into his palm, as though the stone contained a deep, slumbering force. The moment his skin met the stone, the room began to change.
A pulse of strange energy spread outwards. Other stones appeared around him, forming intricate shapes that resembled constellations and celestial bodies. These stones weren't just geometric—they glowed with a faint light, as if each held a secret of the cosmos within.
Then, a sound—a whisper, like wind brushing against ancient stone.
From the air itself, a young woman appeared. She stepped into the space with a presence so commanding, it was impossible to mistake her for anyone ordinary. Her hair was long and dark brown, tied in a unique scorpion-tail braid—each strand neat yet wild, radiating primal elegance.
Her eyes captured the wanderer's attention instantly: bright emerald green, with three tiny red marks orbiting each pupil—mysterious, celestial signs. Those eyes looked straight into him, piercing beyond flesh, as if trying to read every thought, every hidden truth in his soul.
She was tall, her figure slender yet captivating. Her body seemed sculpted to perfection—her chest full yet balanced, enticing without excess. Her skin glowed with a pearl-like smoothness, blending beautifully with the ethereal light of the glowing stones.
She wore a black bikini-style top, with interwoven straps that framed her athletic figure. A small black bow tied at her neck added a charming contrast, and a silver choker highlighted her flawless complexion.
Tight black pants clung to her hips and legs, emphasizing every elegant curve. A vibrant orange belt crossed her waist, drawing the eye with bold flair. Over her shoulders draped a tattered black-and-orange cloak, giving her an aura both mystical and commanding.
She gazed at the wanderer with a cold, challenging stare—one that promised no mercy. Her voice was soft, yet firm, as she introduced herself:
"My name is Shaula, the bearer of the trial on this floor."
Her words carried a quiet authority, and the wanderer could feel the weight of her intent behind them.
Shaula stepped forward slowly, gracefully—each stride measured, confident, unrushed. She raised a hand and brushed her fingers across one of the nearby stones. It lit up instantly, responding to her touch as if it had been waiting.
The glow of the surrounding stones seemed to grow with her presence, framing her in mystic radiance.
"Prepare yourself, wanderer."
Her voice echoed not through the room, but inside his mind—calm, solemn, and unshakable.
The wanderer remained still, fully aware now:
This… was the true trial that awaited him in the Pleiades Watchtower.
The wanderer stood silently in the radiant white room, the shimmering stones around him glowing like stars in a night sky. The light reflecting off the stones danced across Shaula's figure, making her appear even more mysterious and alluring. Though her appearance could easily enchant anyone, there was a coldness in her eyes—stern, unwavering—as if she was waiting for something.
"The trial begins now, wanderer," Shaula said, her voice soft but sharp. "This is the Astra Arcana – Pleiades Trial, a game of stars and constellations."
The wanderer, slightly confused yet intrigued, nodded—ready to face the challenge that lay ahead. Shaula continued her explanation.
"There are two players—you and me." She pointed at herself with a serious expression. "Each of us holds 44 cards, for a total of 88. These cards represent different constellations across the universe, and each one holds a unique power."
"The goal is simple: win three consecutive rounds to pass this trial." She smiled faintly and pulled out an enormous deck of cards. "Each round contains several matches, and you must win three matches in a round to claim victory."
The wanderer glanced at the deck Shaula had placed on the ground, then listened as she explained the card structure in more detail.
"Each card has specific traits, starting with the constellation's name—like Leo, Pisces, or Draco. Each card has a level from 1 to 13, just like a Western playing card." Shaula waved her hand, and the cards floated midair around them. "The level determines the card's base strength, but this power may shift as you play against me."
"In addition to level, each card is assigned an elemental attribute. There are seven elements: Fire, Water, Wind, Earth, Light, Darkness, and Ether. These elements interact with each other in a hierarchy." She winked before continuing.
"Fire beats Wind, Wind beats Earth, Earth beats Water, and Water beats Fire. Light and Darkness counter each other directly, while Ether remains neutral."
The wanderer tried to absorb all the information she was giving. But one question began to form in his mind: How do you actually win a match?
"The gameplay is simple," Shaula said calmly, though her sharp gaze hinted at the challenge ahead.
"You'll choose one card from your hand and place it face-down. I'll do the same. Then, we reveal them and compare their levels."
"The higher-level card wins. But if both cards have the same level, we compare their elements."
"And if the elements are equal, we activate the constellation's special skill—a power that can change the entire outcome of the game."
The wanderer began to understand. Each card was not just a name or a number—it was a miniature world, full of power and mystery. He looked down at the cards on the table, already curious about the special abilities they might possess.
"For example," Shaula continued,
"The Scorpius card can poison your opponent's card if you lose that match. The Gemini card can create a level-3 copy of itself for reuse. And if you open a round with the Leo card, it grants an additional +2 to that card's level."
The wanderer nodded, growing more comfortable with the rules. Yet his earlier question still lingered—how do you win?
"If you win three matches within a round, you claim victory for that round. Win three rounds, and you complete the trial."
Shaula gave a slight smile, as though evaluating him.
"But be warned—if you try to use judgment skills or cause damage to the tower, you will be sealed and unable to continue."
A flicker of anxiety passed through the wanderer's mind, but he quickly pushed it aside, focusing instead on the goal ahead. The trial might be tough, but there was no turning back now.
Shaula went on to explain more advanced mechanics of the game.
"You can combine certain cards from the same group—for instance, Pisces and Cetus—to create a temporary fusion card. Or, if you have the Phoenix card, you can resurrect a card that's been discarded back into your deck."
"However, there's one final, special mechanism called the 'Pleiades Gate.' If you manage to summon all seven constellation cards associated with the Pleiades cluster, you'll trigger the final skill—'Light of the Pleiades', which grants you an automatic win for that round."
The wanderer looked down at the cards in his hand. Now, he understood: this was more than just a game. It was a trial of strategy and intellect.
"I won't go down easily, Shaula," he said firmly, locking eyes with her determinedly.
Shaula smiled and extended her hand as an invitation.
"Let's begin."
The first round was about to start.