The Tower's entrance

After going around the stalls and enjoying some food stalls, they headed toward the arching gate.

The small group easily went past the gate leading to the entrance, as their adventurer's card was only necessary when they would reach the tower.

The path they were on was large. On both sides, various stone sculptures paved the way. 

All of them represented adventurers who had made their life's work risking everything to explore the Tower.

"Huh, it's surprising," voiced Thunder.

"What is?" asked Levi.

"Well, there aren't that many people coming out of the Tower usually."

Levi had paid little attention, but many people did walk in the opposite direction.

As they walked past a couple of adventurers, he could overhear them talk. "Man, why today? I hope they don't try to implement a fee again."

"Grant?" Suddenly said Thunder.

"Huh," he simply responded.

As they approached and arrived halfway toward the Tower they could see giant, arching closed stone doors. 

On them, a design was carved in which looked like a sun rising, under it clouds through which a Tower pierced.

"The 7 Gods all have their Tower. This one is the God of the Sun's. Our world has those spread around, they're all pretty much the same thing, though," explained Aya.

"Is the God in the tower?"

"Nobody has ever seen them in thousands of years, although some speculate they could be waiting on the 100th floor."

"So nobody ever reached that floor?"

"Currently we're stuck around the 50th floor. Some old manuscripts state the 90th floor was reached before, but nothing states how that was achieved, some people think it's a myth."

Levi hummed, realizing climbing that Tower could prove more difficult than he had initially thought.

"Stop there and turn around."

At a sudden halt, Levi walked to the front of the group, next to Thunder, as they faced people wearing white robes with the church's symbol on them.

"We're going in. Royalty and nobles don't need the church's approval, step aside," said Thunder as he took a step forward.

"Unfortunately, the doors have been temporarily sealed, an important announcement will be made, you should head back to the public space you were at."

"Ahhhh, is that the issue," said Thunder his smile beaming. "Don't worry, I'll break open that door, your seals won't hold us back, but thanks for your concern."

Thunder took another step forward. A whistling sound stopped him right there as the wind rose.

Leaves were lifted upward, spiraling, while everyone's clothes moved with the sudden breeze.

In front of Thunder, with the sudden breeze also appeared someone wearing the same clothes as the other ones, but above the robe were armored strips.

"Oh, so you called this loser back here?" said Thunder.

Aya walked next to Thunder, holding his arm as she looked at them.

"Brother, sister, I've longed for the day we would be reunited," brightly said the man with a smile creeping up his face.

Levi frowned as he turned to Thunder and Aya.

"Brother? Is he related to you?"

"If a rat happens to have your blood flowing in them, are they your sibling?" said Thunder still smiling and looking at the man.

"Woah, you hurt me brother! A rat? I'd think you'd love me a bit more..."

"What do you want?" dryly cut Aya.

"Oh, as we stated, there's an announcement to be made, just kindly wait until it's over."

"Ooh? How about I remind you of the reason you scurried over to those zealots? Feel like getting humiliated again?"

Levi had never heard Thunder take that tone before, something truly frightening at its core.

"Oh, is that the one I heard about?" said the man as he extended his arm toward Levi.

Lydia's bell rang, as she jumped in front of Levi at a speed almost matching Thunder's. 

Knife in her hand, the tip of the man's finger had a small slit, blood slightly pouring out of his finger.

Her other hand was on Levi's chest, as she kept him behind her.

"Oh my, you're all so jumpy," laughed the man. "Even you, Aya, really? You used to love me! Said you'd marry me!" he laughed, as he once again extended his arm but toward her, his other arm in his back.

Aya with no ounce of fear, slapped his hand away. 

As she did, in the blink of an eye, the man had jumped a meter back, raising a breeze as he did.

Levi confusedly looked at Aya, unsure of what she had done.

As he looked at her, he noticed Grant behind.

His bored stare was upon the man.

As Levi looked at Grant, he quickly and instinctively grabbed Lydia's shoulder.

Levi's hands trembled as he held onto her.

His eyes were locked on Grant. 

He couldn't look away.

It felt as if his heart would stop; as if something deeply horrifying hid behind his bored, but extremely cold stare.

After staring a few seconds at Grant, Levi noticed in his peripheral view he was holding his halberd.

Thunder put his hand on Levi's shoulder, bringing Levi's attention back.

Thunder smiled at him, bringing a little comfort.

Behind the group of white robes, a large guy appeared. 

"Alright alright, no need to give him the cute stare, Grant."

Grant didn't bother answering or even moving. He continued watching the situation unfolding.

The large man wore plate armor which boasted white colors and the same symbol the robes had.

"It's just the time of that announcement?"

Syllia had just spoken up, her composure surprising Levi.

"Exactly my sweet child. The High Priest will be on the balcony delivering an important speech. It'll be transmitted around the city, once that's over just do whatever you want," he smiled.

"Let's just listen to that speech and be on our way after?" said Syllia to the group.

Thunder was pensive, but Aya pulled on him, "Let's just do that, we're getting nowhere here."

Thunder looked at her, then at Levi. "Alright," he let out.

Thunder gently nudged Levi and Lydia, as they all turned around and started walking the opposite way while Grant waited to be at the back of the group.

As they passed him, Levi noticed his halberd was gone, and the frightening aura he exuded no more.

They joined the other adventurers, who were slowly walking back to the public place.