What is this place?
        Ark stood in a valley of rocks. Before him, lay a flat, featureless plain. Behind him, lay the closed gate to his village. A rock wall stood behind the village, setting it in the cul de sac of the valley. Ark took a moment to adjust to the new sights before him. The sky radiated it's orange hue across the barren landscape. Strange shadows flickered with the sky's ever changing lighting.
        Ark walked briskly along the grey, featureless ground. As he walked, he kicked up small clouds of ash that matured around his ankles. Large slabs of granite formed mountains towards the east an west of the village behind him. A slight haze of smoke fills the valley, and disappears into the distance.
        Ark stood and looked towards the sky. Straining to see past the light, he watched as it cracked and burst in giant orange bubbles. A wave of heat washed over him, as if descending from the bubbles above him. Whirlpools swirled and spun, mixing the red, orange and yellow. Aside from the crackles above, and the occasional rumble in the ground, the world in which he stood was silent.
        Elle...what would you think of this place.
        Ark stepped forward again. He moved faster, almost jogging, eager to see what lay beyond the valley. He stepped carefully, to avoid falling over loose stones. He continued his pace, watching the valley's end get nearer.
        " Slow down." The familiar voice rang out. " Slow down, tough guy. You will run out of breath."
        Ark suddenly realized how hard he had been breathing. His breath came in long, but unfulfilled gasps. Ark doubled over, in an attempt to breath.
        " Who's there?" Ark gasped. " Who is this?"
        " Who do you think?" The voice laughed.
        Ark looked around as he caught his breath.
        The creature materialized in front of his face. Four teeth, purple , hovering, it watched Ark with detached interest.
        " Yomi." Ark replied. " What are you doing here?"
        " Don't be so dense." Yomi replied. " You own the box. I follow the box. I help you."
        " How?" Ark asked?
        " I will accompany you on your quest." Yomi replied.
        Ark stepped forward.
        " How can you help me?" Ark said, brushing Yomi aside. " I need to find the three towers and talk to the sprits. I don't need help."
        " You will need to fight." Yomi replied, following him. " You will need someone who knows what the world is like."
        " What happened here?" Ark asked, glancing around. " What happened to this world? Why is it not like Crysta? Where are the plants and the life?"
        " Crysta is special." Yomi replied. " Crysta has Crystal Blue. The outside world does not. This world has always been this way. This is the land of darkness. Soon, after conversing the with the spirits, you will know why."
        " Where is this tower?" Ark asked.
        " If we keep following this valley, " Yomi replied. " We will be upon it by soon." Ark continued forward, following the stone valley. He turned to look behind him. If he squinted, he could barely make out the details of the gateway to Crysta.
        I didn't realize how far I was from home.
        " Keep your pace, boy." Yomi called. " The sooner we get to the tower, the sooner we can get back."
        " Then Elle and I can return to our normal life." Ark said.
        " Not necessarily." Yomi replied. " There still will be very much to do."
        Ark turned and looked at Yomi, uneasily.
        " What else will there be?" Ark asked.
        " All in due time." Yomi replied.
        What else is going to be thrown into my face?
        Ark shook his head, and watched as he and Yomi neared the end of the valley.
        Oh Gaia.
        The valley opened into a huge clearing, bigger than Crysta. It stretched as far as Ark could see. To the east, the mountain range continued and surrounded the clearing in a large broad arch. They seemed to stretch to the red sky. The tallest mountain looked as if it's peak was engulfed in the sky.
        The heat was intense. Steam squirted out from small vents in the ground, then were sucked back in by the same force the excreted them. Smoke, swirled and snaked throughout the clearing, as if a living being. It flowed to and fro in a dance of movement.
        What is this place? Ark's thoughts repeated. How can a world like this exist?
        " See to the north?" Yomi described. " Where the mountains meet to form another valley, that is where we are headed."
        Ark squinted. In the distance, he could see a structure standing before the valley.
        " That is the tower?" Ark asked. " It's so small."
        " Do not be confused." Yomi replied. " It is the smallest of the three towers, but we are a great distance away from it. The first tower is over one hundred feet tall."
        " That is taller than the trees in Crysta." Ark replied.
        " Yes." Yomi replied. " It is. And it is the smallest. So you know that you have a great deal of work ahead. Let's go. If we hurry, we may be arrive with enough time to set up camp and rest."
        Ark paused, once again looking back, before stepping out into the clearing.

        The stairway stretched ahead of Ark. Looming menacingly behind the stairway, stood the tower. Ark shivered as he passed under the two statues of demonic creatures, that arched over the staircase. The demon statues stared at him as he passed under them. The head's sat positioned to stare forward at nothing, until someone passed upon the stairs. Ark could feel the eyes upon him. Each statue had massive clawed feet, large leathery wings and a horned skull. They seemed to be made of clay, yet Ark swore they were alive.
        The grey tower stretched far above the stone, in which it stood. At the top of the massive staircase, where it connected with the tower, sat a large metallic drawbridge. The orange sky crackled and burst above him, forming dancing shadows at the base of the demonic statues.
        So this is the tower? Ark backed away. I don't like it at all....
        Ark stepped forward towards the drawbridge. As he slowly advanced, he took out his spear. The tip glistened, reflecting the orange light above. He reached the doorway. There were no handles to pull it down. There was no lever to loosen the chain.
        So how do I open it? How do I get in?
        Ark glanced around the doorway once more. Nothing. Suddenly, a sharp metallic screech escaped the air around him.
        What was that? Ark looked around. He turned to check the statues behind him. In his quick inspection he determined that they had not moved. He spun back to the drawbridge.
        What in the name of Gaia...?
        There was a face etched into the drawbridge.
        That face was not there before!
        Ark stared at the face. Old and barren, its features seemed dull. It silently gazed back at Ark. The metal grooves that formed its eye sockets seemed to shimmer and reflect like liquid.
        " If I didn't know better." Ark told himself. " I would have sworn that face was alive."
        Ark looked back at the face. The features seemed slightly different. It was almost smiling at him. A small smirk had escaped the corner of each side of its mouth. Its eyes reflected more light than before. A small line of teeth shown through the middle of its mouth.
        No. Ark thought. It's an etching. Etchings do not move.
        " What are you doing here?" A voice boomed. " This tower is sacred ground. What are you doing here."
        Ark jumped. He swung his spear, hard. Yet there was no foe. He hurriedly glanced at the statues, the tower and finally the face on the door. The face stared back at him.
        " Are you..?" Ark began.
        " Alive?" The face asked. " You would like to know if I am alive?"
        Ark stood shocked as the grooves and distortions of the face changed in front of him. He stared in awe as it spoke to him.
        This can't be happening.
        " My answer is, no." The face responded. " Because we have very different definitions of the word living." The face stared at Ark with purpose. " I am merely a manifestation of and belonging to a much greater being."
        The hair on Ark's neck stood. He turned to glance behind him. He noticed that the demon's statues had strayed from the forward, unfocused glance. The heads had turned, their demonic eyes glared. Drilling into him, the eyes seemed to analyze his very being.
        " I am the guardian of this tower." The face continued. " What is your purpose for trespassing onto this sacred ground?"
        Ark turned confront the guardian face.
        " I was told to do this." Ark responded. He stepped back away from the face. Upon realizing that he now neared the demons, he returned to his former space. " I was told by the Elder of Crysta that this tower, and others like it would hold the answer and the cure to the curse upon my village."
        An inquisitive stare crossed the face upon the drawbridge.
        " Tell me of this curse." It asked.
        "The people of my village have been frozen in place." Ark explained. " Im not exactly sure how it happened. All I know is that after I opened the door to the basement and found..."
        " The Pandora's Box?" The face asked.
        " I found the box, yes." Ark confirmed.
        " Then you are the one person that is to enter this sacred ground." The face smirked. "It is you who I have been expecting."
        " What?" Ark replied. " How could you have been expecting me?"
        " You are about to embark on something that will change everything that you know and do not know." The face began. " Are you willing to risk everything and except your fate?"
        " How can this be my fate?" Ark asked. " I know nothing of what you have been talking about."
        " Do you wish to help your village?" The face asked. " Do you wish to find the answers to all of the questions you have been asking yourself throughout the entire memory of your existence?"
        Ark didn't need to hesitate.
        " Yes." Ark responded. " What would I have to do?"
        " Step forth into this tower." The face began. " Step forward into this Tower of Inferi."
        " Tower of what?" Ark asked.
        " The Tower of Inferi ." The face began. " The tower of the world that you are from. This land of darkness around you is Hell. You stand here unlocking the mysteries of Inferi and its creation. There will be many names you will here for this place. But Inferi is its name in the truest form."
        " What is this place?" Ark asked. " What is Inferi?"
        " You shall understand upon entering the tower. " The face continued. " Soon you will see what your sole purpose is." The face continued. " You will find countless souls of living things in this tower and residing in the others. Upon the upper most floor resides the power to control worlds, and the mystery of Inferi."
        " What?" Ark asked. " What will I find."
        " You must venture into the tower." The face replied. " Are you prepared to enter the Tower of Inferi and accept your fate?"
        " Yes." Ark replied. " But how? I need the drawbridge lowered."
        Ark looked upwards towards the towers peak.
        So high.
        He stared, gripping his spear. Swirling like a whirlwind, his thoughs encircled him. He let his gaze fall towards his feet, not wanting to look into the eyes of the face upon the door. He turned his back upon the face.
        Perhaps I can return to the village and find another way.
        The tower's shadow seemed to grow upon the stone ground at the bottom of the stairway. It swayed and shimmered, matching the red sky above.
        Inferi......
        Ark's gaze returned to the statues. To his surprise he noticed that thay once again stared forward away from him. Ark stepped forward towards them. They seemed to be made of stone. Immovable. Imobile.
        I saw them watching me.
        Ark turned towards the face behind him.
        " How can these stone statues move?" Ark began.
        Ahead of him, the drawbridge stood open. Ahead of him, an archway stood.
        Open...well this is the moment.
        Ark stepped forward.
        The archway stood ahead, black and forbidding. Ark's steps seemed to echo as he crossed under it. Time slowly slid by and seemed to echo along with each of Ark's steps. Ark turned and glanced back towards the outer world and watched as the large iron drawbridge shut behind him, leavign him in darkness.

        Surrounded by torches, the room Ark stood in glowed menecingly. It's red hue stained any other color that dared to venture into its grasp. The red walls stretched and bended mysteriously around the circular room. The six torches gave off six equally red shades of light. Behind Ark, between two torches, stood the archway leading into the tower. Ahead of him, between two other torches, stood another archway. Under the dim light beyond the archway, Ark could see a stairway.
        Along the walls, four spaces stood between the six torches that did not occupy an entrance or an exit. In these spaces stood vast paintings or intricate etchings and carvings. The artifacts each expelled a display of horror and death. As Ark passed each space, he examined the artifact that stood inside it.
        To his right, between two torches, sat a carving. The carving sat on a four foot tall pedestal which had been designed after a creature. To Ark's knowledge, he had not seen a creature like this before. It's base sat coiled upon the floor, while more of the body stretch upwards with an open mouth that grasped the flat peak of the pedestal. This creature had no appendages. It grasped the flat peak with an open mouth lined with teeth. Two sharp fangs seemed to jut out of the roof of it's mouth.
        The carving atop of the pedestal only seemed to confuse Ark even more. The detailed grey stone was in the design of a large rowboat. A stone skeleton seemed to be ferrying a stone man across some sort of river. The passenger of the boat seemed to be pleading with the skeleton.
        It is as if no matter how hard they try, they will never escape the creature's mouth.
        Ark continued through the room, he glanced to his left and saw a large painting. Ark advanced towards it slowly. Fear seemed to crawl up his body as his eyes began to make out what was pictured in the painting.
        No!
        Men kneeled, tortured and preying. Injured and dead, many lay at the base of the painting. All of the living men cried, preying toward a seven headed lion that fed upon the dead. Ark's vision seemed to follow the blood that dripped from its jaws. Above stood large stone mountains.
        Identical to the mountains outside of the tower.
        Ark turned from the mountains. His vision blurred midst all of the bodies, men and terror and seemed to focus on a figure on a throne. The figure was of a woman, sitting and enjoying the chaos. Ark followed the woman's figure and jumped with surprise. Atop the woman's neck sat the head of a lion. It's mouth sat in an eternal growl. There was no question. The look upon the lion woman's face was evil.
        Ark backed away from the picture.
        The mystery of Inferi.
        Ark turned towards another space. In it Ark could see a carving. Ark advanced towards the carving. Each step he took seemed to echo in the silence of the tower.
        " Inferi." The wind seemed to whisper.
        Ark stopped. He slowly glanced around the room. Silence sat heavily in the room. All around him, the silence churned and boiled.
        Ark took another step towards the carving. In the torchlight, it displayed a naked man hanging. Ark stepped closer and examined as he saw the mans features. Protesting the man seemed to attempt to fight off the dog like creatures that threatened to devour him from below. Yet as he hung, it seemed that his attempts were in vain. Behind the creatures, flames stretched and licked at the man's feet and seemed ready to devour him also.
        Ark turned. Behind him sat the final space. With courage, Ark began his trek across the room. He passed the stairway the exited the first floor.
        " Inferi...." The voice carried on the wind.
        Once again, Ark stopped.
        " Hello?" Ark asked. " Yomi?"
        Ahead of Ark, Yomi appeared.
        "Yes?" Yomi asked. " You called."
        " Have you been calling me?" Ark asked. " Have you been calling out from your box?"
        Yomi stared at Ark, questioningly.
        " That is a silly question." Yomi answered. " If I need to talk to you I will appear to you. There is no reason for me to call from my box." Yomi shook his body, attempting to imitate the human reaction of shrugging. " If there is no other need for me."
        " Wait." Ark said. " This room really bothers me." He turned to Yomi. " Is there any way that you can stay out here with me for a while. Just so I know that I am not alone?"
        " Is the big tough here afraid?" Yomi laughed. " If you are going to save your village, then you need the courage to face things alone. I will be in my box if you need me."
        " Wait." Ark called. He stepped toward Yomi, and reached out uselessly. Before his hand could open to grab, Yomi was gone in a puff of smoke.
        As the smoke cleared, Ark saw another carving. Another man, yet this one was dead. It's body hung from a large sunflower. The seeds of the sunflower seemed to litter the base of the carving to mix in with the dead man's blood. Two grotesque demons stalked throughout the blood and prepared to bite into the dead man's bloated legs.
        " Inferi......" The whisper trailed off.
        " Who...?" Ark called out.
        Ark crossed to the center of the room and glanced around in a slow circle.
        " Who is calling out?" Ark called out aloud.
        " Inferi...." The voice sailed atop of a nonexistent breeze. A hissing escaped from the bricks of the walls.
        " Inferi...." The walls seemed to speak.
        One by one, the six torches began to go out. Ark continued to turn in slow circles even as he was enveloped in complete blackness.
        " Inferi...." The walls hissed.
        Again, one by one, the torches began to ignite themselves. Ark continued to spin, faster, as the room lit around him.
        " Inferi..." The walls hissed.
        " Stop." Ark called out. He swung his spear at invisible, nonexistent enemies. " Stop" He screamed. Sweat drenched his body. His golden hair stuck pasted to his head. His clothes clung to his body.
        " Inferi..."
        Chills races up and down his spine. His grip tightened around the spear as he clung it close to himself. He continued to spin in circles, looking feverishly for the source of all his fears.
        " Inferi..."
        Ark tried to use his left hand to cover one of his ears, as he held the spear in his right hand. He spun around continuously, yelling. His voice failed to overcome the suggestive, pleading whispers.
        " Inferi..." The torches burnt out. Blackness.
        " Inferi..." They ignited. Bright red fire shone along the walls.
        " Inferi...." Blackness.
        " Inferi. " The torches were lit.
        Ark heard a crashing, he glanced as he stopped turning. The pedestal had fallen over. The creature lay on its side, coils spread. The mouth lay open. Its fangs glistened in the torchlight.
        Ark stared.
        The stone pedestal suddenly moved. Its eyes focused on Ark, as its mouth moved.
        " Inferi.." The creature whispered.
        Ark screamed.
        " Inferi..." The creature whispered.
        The rowboat lay at Ark's feet, The stone skeleton looked up towards Ark.
        " Inferi." The skeleton called. Its passenger continued to pray, pleading with the skeleton.
        " Liberate me..." The passenger called.
        " Inferi.." The creature screamed.
        " Liberate tu-temet." The passenger pleaded.
        " Inferi." The skeleton growled.
        The torches burnt out. Blackness enveloped the room.
        Ark could feel something moving along his feet, and in the darkness he could hear the screeching of stone on the floor.
        " Inferi." The walls whispered.
        The torches lit. Ark gripped his spear as he saw the creature attempting to devour the rowboat.
        " Liberate tu-temet." The passenger called to Ark. " Liberate tu-temet."
        " Inferi." The skeleton growled as he edged the boat closer towards the creatures mouth. The fangs seemed to drip with liquid that seeped out of the stone.
        " No." Ark called.
        " Inferi." The skeleton yelled.
        Ark spun around away from the sight.
        " Inferi." The demons along the base of the carving growled. The torches burnt out. Blackness.
        Ark continued to spin. The torches ignited. Ark faced the painting.
        " Inferi." The lion woman called. The torches blacked out.
        " Inferi." The hanging man called. The torches lit up.
        " Inferi." The dogs in the carving barked. The dogs bit into the mans face. The torches blacked out.
        Ark doubled over and screamed.
        " Inferi." The walls whispered. The torches ignited.
        "Inferi." The skeleton screamed. The demons in the painting tore off the leg of the dead hanging man. Their teeth sunk into the soft flesh.
        The torches blacked out.
        " Inferi." Screams from all around blasted Ark from each side. The torches ignited.
        One demon sat perched on the hanging man's shoulder, chewing on his neck. The other had used its claw to rip open the mans stomach. The demon drank from the mans intestines.
        " Inferi..." The creature called, as it swallowed the passenger of the rowboat.
        Ark spun.
        The seven headed lion swallowed a praying man.
        " Inferi.." The praying men chanted.
        The torches blackened out.
        " Stop." Ark called.
        " Inferi." The blast knocked him off of his feet.
        Ark stumbled forward. The floor of the tower shook and sputtered with the vibrations of the voices. Racing forward, he tripped over loosened stone from the pedestal.
        " Inferi.." The creature hissed.
        Ark stumbled to his knees and took another step. He pushed forward in the darkness, feeling his way. Yet he was afraid of what he would feel along the way. He felt the rooms constant, living vibrations.
        " Inferi." The room called out.
        Ark quickened his pace. He sensed that he was already nearing the stairway that exited the room.
        " Inferi!" The room boomed.         The floor suddenly gave way beneath him. As he hit the stone floor, he could feel the wind escaping his stomach. The impact jolted the spear from his hand. Ark could hear the bouncing clang land further ahead of him. The walls continued to hiss a strange call.
        Ark could hear a ringing in his ears. Every muscle in his body refused to move. Trying to move his hand, he felt his energy sliding away. Getting weaker by the moment, he looked forward. He could make the outline of the stairway ahead of him.
        So close.....
        The room was squeezing in on him. He could feel pressure from all around, slowly sucking the air from his body.
        Gaia....
        For an instant, the force had been broken. Using all of his strength, he forced his arm to move. Stretching forward, Ark pulled himself to his feet. In short, draining, strides, he crossed the room. At the archway, he bent down to pick up his spear. He reached down, finding the familiar grip.
        Ark pulled the spear up to his chest in a defensive position.
        " Inferi." The room boomed again.
        With sudden courage, Ark spun to face the room. He prepared himself for the living paintings and the slithering stone creature. He prepared himself to face the seven headed lion, or the demon statues that stood guard along the towers entrance. Ark was prepared to face the worst of terrors that he could imagine. Yet, he was not prepared for what he saw when he had turned.
        Surrounded by torches, the room Ark stood in glowed quietly and peacefully. It's red hue stained any other color that dared to venture into its grasp. The red walls stretched and bended mysteriously around the circular room. The six torches gave off six equally red shades of light. Along the walls, four spaces stood between the six torches that did not occupy an entrance or an exit. In these spaces stood vast paintings or intricate etchings and carvings. The artifacts each expelled a display of horror and death.
        The room is exactly the same as when I entered it.
        Ark turned to his left to see the grotesque pedestal standing upright, supporting the stone peak that held the rowboat. In each of the paintings, the characters had returned back to their original poses. A slight breeze no longer seemed to flow through the room. The room seemed completely devoid of life.
        Dead.
        Ark turned his back to the room, and took a step towards the door.
        "Inferi!" The room blasted.
        The force of energy escaping the room lifted Ark off of his feet. Flying through the air, Ark gripped his spear and prepared for a painful landing. With a crack, Ark landed face first on the middle of the staircase. The stone of the stairs slammed against his chest. The throbbing ache bolted through his chest. His leg buckled from under him as he attempted to cushion the fall. Pushing the pain aside, Ark wasted no time scrambling up the flight of stairs away from the first floor and onto whatever terror might lie on the floors above.

        Spear ready, Ark followed the spiraling stairway. As he ascended, he kept one hand against the stone wall for support. Each time he planted a foot down on a new step, he would hear it echo down the stairway. His ankles had grown tired from the constant climbing. Short gasps of breath escaped his mouth, as he tried to conserve his energy.
        The stairway was well lit by the red light of a torch. Ark had noticed that the torches seemed to be placed on the wall every thirteen steps. Aside from the torches, the stone walls were barren. With no windows to the outer world, Ark had no way of gauging how high he had climbed, yet he knew that he would be nearing the peak of the tower soon.
        It's so hot.
        Ark's clothing stuck to his body. His green tunic hung heavy and damp on his shoulders. With every step, Ark's pack threatened to pull him backwards. His red pants clung to his legs around the kneecaps. Attempting relief, Ark loosened his leather belt. Heat continued to wash over him. The temperature seemed to rise with each step he took.
        Behind him, the staircase spiraled behind a corner. Ark could not tell how many times he had come full circle. His head was dizzy. His toes wobbled under the strain of supporting him. His knuckles cracked and ached from holding his spear.
        How high am I?
        Ark rounded the bend with a grunt.
        Ahead of him stood a large picture window. It stood fifteen feet high. The light shown through the stained glass, into Ark's eyes.
        No....not again.
        The picture reminded Ark of the first room. Grotesque. Stained in reds and yellows, an etching of fire seemed to burst around the main picture. In the center of the window sat a demon much like the statues outside of the tower. Yet this demon wore a crown. Sitting atop a red dragon, it's presence demanded a sense equivalent to royalty. It's eyes stood out against the other colors. Looking closely, Ark realized that the particular shade was not used in any other of the panels of the painting. Across the top of the painting stood one word.
        No.....
        " Inferi." Ark read aloud.
        Upon his voice ringing out, the climate's heat began to grow. Beads of sweat began to form on Ark's brow. A slight rumble escaped the base of the tower. Ark turned to look behind him. Nothing. He turned forward to face the glass window.
        The demon was staring straight at him. It's eyes glowed green with rage. A solemn yet cheerful smirk seemed to form in the creature's eyes.
        No.... Ark backed a step.
        Are you afraid of what you see? A voice growled in Ark's mind.
        What are you? Ark responded.
        It frightens you..... The voice taunted.
        Of course it frightens me. Ark answered. Are you the creature from the window?
        I am what you want me to be... It continued to taunt. I am whatever I choose to be.
        What are you? Ark asked.
        You know what I am. The eyes read his thoughts.
        Inferi..... Ark answered.
        Inferi is a place. The voice boomed. You have still not learned. Yes, I am Inferi. I have many names. But Inferi is all that you see. Inferi is the land around you. Inferi is the land that I have created. Inferi is my land of darkness, your land of darkness. Inferi is your world for which I am the creator. In turn, I am your creator.
        I don't understand. Ark questioned.
        It's beyond the capacity that was given to you. The voice laughed. You were never meant to understand. You were meant to be a part of something.
        A part of what? Ark stood, cautious.
        You were not meant to understand. The voice snickered. You were chosen for a reason.
        The heat once again began to rise.
        Your strength is being tested. The voice began.
        Ark raised his spear.
        Fighting alone is not the solution. The voice advised. Observation is the key.
        Ark stepped towards the glass window. The heat was more intense around its frame. As he tried to focus on the window, he could see something behind it. Something dangling from above the outside of the window.
        Observation is the key.... The voice rang.
        Ark glared at the window. He raised his spear behind his head. With all his might he swung the spear in a steady arch.
        Observe this... Ark charged.
        The crystal tip of the spear slammed into the stained glass window. Glass exploded in all directions. Flickering in the torchlight, the glass shards rained outward towards the ground far below. Ark watched as the largest pieces of seemed to hover in the air as if controlled by an unseen force.
        Inferi.... The voice exploded.
        The shards of glass suddenly soared back through the window's frame. Thousands of shards of glass imploded upon the stairway. Each shard twinkled, either from the torchlight or from the orange sky outside. Ark couldn't tell which. It was a lethal beauty that sailed towards him.
        His eyes wide with fight, Ark raised his arms and fell to his knees attempting to cover himself. The sharp blades cut into his skin and clothing as the glass rained down upon him. He pulled back away from the window, slightly stumbling on the stairway. Loud clangs sounded all around Ark as the glass his the floor.
        Ark stood up. Small cries of pain escaped him as he attempted to pull the largest of the shards out of his forearms. Small pieces still littered down the back of his tunic. Ark loosened his belt, hoping they would fall to the floor. Ark winced as he constantly discovered new shards of glass in his skin.
        He stepped towards the window. Eyeing it carefully, he sensed that the danger had passed. As he approached the open frame, he could see the landscape outside. The orange sky seemed much closer, much more solid and real. As Ark watched, he could see large drops of orange descend from the sky to the gray stone land far below. It fell so gracefully, as if soft powder. It reminded him of the powder used in the mill at Crysta to make flat bread.
        Manna.
        The orange drops rained downward onto the land below, leaving singed marks in the stone.
        Ark looked carefully for the object he had seen outside of the window before it had shattered. As he looked closely up at the frame, he could see it. Hanging only an inch below the frame, a chain glistened in the orange light. If he hadn’t looked closely he might have never seen it.
        Observation is the solution.... He let his mind linger on that phrase.
        Ark gripped the chain, testing its leeway. He sensed that it would hold his weight.
        Besides, where else do I have to go? This seems to be the only way up.
        Ark slung his spear over his shoulder and gripped the chain with both hands. He used all of his strength, pulling his weight off of the floor. A wave of vertigo washed over him as his body swung out of the window and into open space. Looking down, he could barely see the stairway of which he entered the tower. Looking up, he could see the bright orange sky, much closer than before. It radiated intense heat. Ark pulled inward towards the tower as he watched the heated orange drops dance slowly down from the sky.
        Grip by grip, he pulled himself upwards. He knew the ground was nearly a hundred feet below. He could feel the chain swinging with every motion that he made. He pulled harder and faster, feeling the sweat on his hands began to compromise the strength in his grip. He could barely see the end of the chain. It ended at the base of a ledge four more feet above him. It would be only a few more minutes of this unending pain. His muscles ached. His back and neck cracked as he stretched for higher grips, and under the strain of pulling himself up. Dangling below him, his legs and feet seemed useless.
        He pulled himself over the ledge, before he realized he had done so. He had no idea how he had made it the past few feet. He lay on his back, not moving since he had flung himself over the ledge and away from the chain. Breathing deeply, he felt the energy return to his body. Slowly he stood to examine where he was.
        The balcony, on which he stood, seemed to be the entrance to the top floor of the tower. Judging from the size of the tower, Ark guessed that the top floor would not consist of more than one room.
        Directly in front of him sat an archway that stretched to the very ceiling of the tower. Along side of the arch’s pillars sat two statues of demons. They were identical to the statues outside of the tower. They stood guard eternally with a menacing glare.
        Here we go again.
        Ark stepped forward. He looked towards the archway, attempting to get a glimpse of what lay inside. None of the outside light seemed to penetrate the inner darkness of the tower. Deciding that there was only one way to find out, Ark retrieved his spear and stepped under the archway. With the crystal tip of the spear ahead of him, he entered the darkness beyond.

        Tears of frustration seeped from his eyes. Ark slammed the base of his spear into the stone floor in anger.
        No!
        Intense floods of heat flew through him. Oceans of rage surged through every single pore in his body. His muscles tensed as the anger ran awash in him. Glancing around, Ark felt the anger mix with a pang of fear. He closed his eyes, as the frustration continued to wash over him, and turn away from the source of his anger.
        Surrounded by torches, the room Ark stood in glowed quietly and peacefully. It’s red hue stained any other color that dared to venture into its grasp. The red walls stretched and bended mysteriously around the circular room. The six torches gave off six equally red shades of light. Along the walls, four spaces stood between the six torches that did not occupy an entrance or an exit. In these spaces stood vast paintings or intricate etchings and carvings. The artifacts each expelled a display of horror and death. Ahead of him, between two other torches, stood another archway. Under the dim light beyond the archway, Ark could see a stairway.
        The room was identical to the first floor of the tower.
        Each painting was identical. Each sculpture. Every single element that consisted in the creation of that room was identical to the room on this floor.
        Why? Ark asked, crossing, very slowly towards the other end of the room.
        " Inferi..." The wind whispered.
        No! Ark called out inside.
        " Inferi." The voice boomed.
        " Stop." Ark screamed, swinging his spear.
        The torch lights burnt out.
        " Stop." Ark yelled, in a frenzy. " Stop."
        " Inferi..Inferi." The voice quaked.
        Ark was knocked off of his feet. He felt his back throbbing as he landed on it awkwardly. He was instantly on his feet, spear in hand. He spun searching the room for the source.
        " Show yourself." Ark screamed. " Do not hide behind this tower!" He gritted his teeth together, feeding on animalistic rage. "You have shown me what you can do with the tower walls and artwork. But do you dare show me what you can do yourself? Have you the courage to face me?" Ark challenged.
        The torches lit, one by one.
        " Inferi!" The voice shrieked.
        The painting fell of the wall in a vicious arc, slamming into the stone floor. As it crashed, a cloud of dust stormed up. In the dust a figure began to form.
        " Inferi." The room spoke.
        The pedestal toppled over, squirming, attempting to slither towards Ark.
        " Inferi." The room screamed.
        The figure continued to form in the dust,
        " Inferi." The room voiced.
        The rowboat skidded across the floor on its own accord.
        " Inferi."
        Bricks began to shatter and explode around Ark, leaving gaping holes in the wall. Ark backed away from the flying stone.
        " Inferi."
        In a tornado of glass, swirled through the archway. It sailed across the wind, following its own will. A brick shattered near Ark’s feet, skinning his ankle. The glass grouped over Ark’s head as he ducked away, avoiding the raining shards from above.
        " Inferi."
        The two demon statues crawled through the archway, and sat. With menacing growls, they bared their teeth and claws. With hunched stances, they prevented any escape through the archway.
        The torches burnt out, one by one. As darkness enveloped him, Ark felt a surprising silence fill the room. Nothing stirred. Silently, each torch lit itself. The light was a welcoming site, as it came without the voice.
        Ark stood looking at the room in its original state. Once again, the destructive after effects no longer existed. Each painting was in its original form. The pedestal stood once again. The carvings remained untouched and frozen in time. The room was exactly as it was when he had first entered.
        Six torches stood on the wall. An unblocked entrance behind him. An exit to the room beyond in front of him. Everything was exactly as it had been before. Ark was amazed.
        Suddenly, Ark spun around at a new realization.
        Ark was not alone in the room.
        A figure stood before him. Draped in a purple cloak, it slowly advanced without footsteps. As far as Ark could tell, it was gliding. It’s face was hidden behind a mask. The mask was that of a goats face. The horns were barely hidden under the hood of the cloak worn by the figure.
        Ark squinted to look past the mask at the identity of the wearer.
        You will not see my face.... The voice was that of the creature from the window.
        Is this your true form? Ark asked.
        I am what ever I choose to be. The voice responded.
        " Can you speak?" Ark asked.
        I chose to communicate in this way because I know that you will understand the message as I want you to. So many messages are misinterpreted when they are spoken. The voice explained. But I know that if I plant the message and the thought into your mind, you will be sure to understand.
        " I thought that I wasn’t meant to understand." Ark answered.
         You will understand as I see fit. The voice laughed. When I choose for you to understand, you will. You are my creation. I will be the one to make the decisions for you.
        "What have you decided for me?" Ark asked. " What am I to do?"
        You are here to liberate your village. The voice began. You have done well to reach this floor. I had fears that you would not make it. I was beginning to believe that I would need for another creation. Yet you proved to me that my powers are stronger than even I could have imagined. Now I know that you will be able to accomplish all I have dreamed of. I truly know that you are capable to bring about all that has been prophesied.
        Ark stepped forward.
        The Earth is trying to revive its breath of life. The voice began. Behind me, lies the room in which controls land. When you enter, be free of thought. Just watch. Soon, as the other towers are ascended upon, you will have brought the breath of life back to Earth. And in doing so, begun the process of bringing the breath of life back to your village.
        Ark took another step.
        Now enter. The voice commanded. Enter and begin what I have dreamed of for an eternity.
        Ark walked briskly to the archway. He turned back to the figure. There was no figure behind him. Ark was alone in the room.
        Not surprised, Ark stepped through the doorway. He could feel the excitement buzz through him as he pushed forward into the unknown. He looked up into the new room, watching with a clear mind.
        Ark stood, surrounded by a blue glow. In the center of the room, spinning upon a golden pedestal, sat a blue orb. It spun, emitting a light blue glow around the room. Ark slowly advanced upon the orb. He took a deep breath, clearing his thoughts. Slowly, he placed his hands on the orb.
        A sudden shock of cold surged through him. He felt the energy seep from his body, into his arms, into his fingers and finally into the orb. He watched helplessly as the orb rose into the air beyond his reach. His eyes grew wide as the orb slowly began to develop large splotches of brown. The shapes that the splotches took were unique, yet seemed natural. It even seemed as if there was a sort of intricate pattern.
        In his minds eye, Ark began to see an image. It was an image that he had never seen. Yet he did not question its existence. In his mind’s eye, Ark saw a world, unlike his own. It was a world of blue skies. The ground was not all grey, but multicolored. And from the sky above, large light grey objects, similar to crystal blue, floated. From these objects a cold, soft, power fell. The calm playfulness of the scene soothed Ark.
        He opened his eyes. The orb now sat back on its pedestal. The brown splotches seemed set in the orb itself. Below the orb was a strange inscription. It was a word the had never seen before.
        The inscription read. : The Earth
        This is the Earth? This is what I have been dreaming about? This is what they have been talking about? Ark thought as he re read the inscription. The Earth? What is this Earth?
        Ark turned and exited the room, still in his own thoughts.
        What does the Earth have to do with Crysta? How did this help free Elle?
        Ark passed the room of six torches.
        What did this orb do?
        Ark stood in the archway looking over the land. He stared at the sky, feeling the heat. He felt rejuvenated as he soaked in the heat. Ark let his gaze fall to the ground far below. He looked over the familiar landscape. He had been staring for five minutes before he realized that something was different.
        The landscape had changed.
        Many of the mountains had disappeared. They seemed to have been pulled into the ground.
        But why?
        Ark looked at the new land from his vantage point.
        Why did certain hills and mountains disappear when others did not.
        Suddenly it all made sense. A smile grew across Ark’s face. From his vantage point, Ark could see the shapes left behind by the mountains. From his high vantage spot, higher than anyone had ever been, he could see that the mountains had disappeared for a purpose.
        The shapes left behind match the shapes on the globe.
        Ark laughed aloud as part of the figures speech suddenly returned to his mind.
        The Earth is trying to revive its breath of life. Ark remembered. Behind me, lies the room in which controls land. When you enter, be free of thought. Just watch. Soon, as the other towers are ascended upon, you will have brought the breath of life back to Earth. And in doing so, begun the process of bringing the breath of life back to your village.
        Ark continued to stare out at the landscape in front of him. He smiled as the world he know continued to be bathed in the orange light. As he stared, a wave of feelings and emotions washed over him. Part of him was overcome with sadness and tiredness. That part of him seemed to want to give up and sleep on this tower. Another part of him was overcome with mystery. That part of Ark wanted to sit and ponder all that he had learned. But Ark stood and stepped toward the chain. Because, a much bigger part of Ark was overcome with another feeling.
        The majority of Ark was overcome with hope.