5 Entering The Tower

Daniel sat on a bed in the guest room provided by Sarah. He was currently looking through the I-Holo. It was a marvelous device that projected a private screen only seen by the user of the device.

Daniel was currently surfing through the web, trying to see if there was any information about his disappearance so long ago. Eventually, he stumbled upon an article titled, 'Explosion at BioTech Labs: One dead, One missing'. He went on to read, that the bastard who tortured himself, was killed in the freak explosion that brought him here. He was then able to find a missing persons case opened for him. His Mother was able to keep the search alive for many years, until she unfortunately passed away.

'Mom's dead.' Daniel felt a gut wrenching pain in his soul. His Mother was the one person that he truly loved in his life. He knew that the chances of her being alive were slim, but seeing the fact that she truly died was heart breaking.

Daniel sat on the bed and stared blankly in front of himself. A single tear streaked down his cheek, as he processed this news. Eventually, he wiped his cheek, and then hardened his face with a look of determination.

'I am now in a new world. One where anything is possible. I can't sit in this room and cry about things I can't change. My Mom looked for me all those years in the hopes that she could find me so that I could live a happy and fulfilled life. Tomorrow is going to be the start of a new me, one that would make my Mother proud.'

Daniel logged back onto the I-Holo and started to read the books loaded into the library about the Tower. They highlighted vital information that survivors claimed to be the key to passing the tutorial successfully. He was only interrupted once when a servant brought him food for dinner and to report that he was to meet the three girls at 9:00am the next morning. At 11:00pm, Daniel closed the I-Holo and decided to call it a night.

The next morning Daniel got out of bed and took a quick shower. He headed towards the kitchen area to see if there was any food. He grabbed a bagel and some juice and ate while walking to the living room.

Although he was a half an hour early he was still the last to arrive. The three girls were there, dressed in what seemed like jungle survival gear. Each girl was wearing tight fitting leggings that seemed to have paddings in key areas. They also wore what looked to be tactical vests with many pockets holding god knows what. Their hair was pulled up in ponytails, and they had on baseball caps. They also had backpacks next to them filled with food and water. It looked as if they were about to be airdropped into a rain forest.

Looking at himself, Daniel could not help but feel unprepared. He only had on his jeans, tennis shoes, and a hoody. Not really the outfit one would choose to wear in an unfriendly environment.

Lily saw the concern in Daniel's eyes so she said, "Good Morning Daniel. Don't worry I have a bag with me right here that has all you need." She bent down and picked up a big hiking backpack filled with supplies.

Daniel smiled at her and took the backpack, "Thanks Lily. I knew I could count on you."

Sarah stepped forward, "I was gonna get you some bug spray, but then I thought, 'Why would he need repellant against his own kind?'" She then stuck her tongue out at him and turned her head away.

Daniel shook his head and said sarcastically, "Good one. Seems you had quite the productive night."

Lily clapped her hands and said, "Okay enough of that. Daniel are you sure you want to enter the Tower? There's no need to rush. Once you enter the Tower there's no turning back."

Feeling the concern in Lily's voice, Daniel could only give her a smile to reassure her, "Don't worry. I'm confident in myself, and I'm fully aware of the risks. let's do this."

Lily nodded, and motioned for everyone to form a circle, "What we're about to do is dangerous. Sarah and Julie, we've known each other all our lives. This is our dream and what we have been preparing for all our lives." She gave her friends a warm smile, which they both returned. She then looked toward Daniel, "We have only just met. It has been less than a day since we found you. But you are similar to us, in that I can tell you are driven to succeed. I can tell that we will be great friends."

Daniel gave the three girls a sincere smile and gave a nod in agreement.

Lily gave a brief pause than continued, "You may not know this but since the day of death, when we lost most of our population, there has been a ritual before entering the Tower. You gather with your closest loved ones and tell them your reason for entering, for this may be the last time you ever see each other."

A silence pervaded the room, as they each let the moment seep into them. What they were about to do was dangerous. This could be a final parting between them.

Lily slowly looked at the three who were standing with her, "Our parents could not be here today with us because they are carrying the fate of humanity with them. However, I would not want to be with anybody else than the people that are in this room with me." She walked over to her two friends and pulled them into a hug.

Daniel watched this scene and could not help but sigh inside, 'These girls are so young, yet determined to put their lives on the line for their dreams. It's amazing and also sad. How many humans die everyday because of this.'

Lily ended her hug and said, "Okay. I'll go first then. My name is Lily Reinhart. The reason that I am entering the Tower is to help my Mom. She's gone most of the time trying to climb to the next floor, so I don't see her much. I want to become powerful, so that I can take her place and she doesn't have to risk her life anymore. I just want her to come home."

Lily's eyes started to tear up as she finished her last sentence. The room went quiet for a bit, as everyone let the words settle.

Sarah spoke up next, "Everyone here know that my name is Sarah Starfire, well maybe not Daniel, but whatever. Anyway, the reason I want to enter the Tower, is because we are losing. I know that we humans passed the first test, but it's not looking good for us. The planet that we are set to face in a years time has passed floor 18. Yet, we barely passed 15. And when we lose, everyone who partakes in the challenge dies. Our strongest climbers all dead. For our next challenge we'll be left defenseless. It's a downhill slope. Lose three challenges in a row and you become a slave planet. My goal is to become strong enough to win against all challenges. To bring honor and Glory to Humanity."

Daniel was somewhat surprised by Sarah. He thought that she would choose to enter the Tower so she could become more beautiful or something vain like that. He started to view this annoying girl in a new light. Perhaps she was not so bad after all.

After he thought that, Sarah continued, "But most of all I want to show the Universe that I am the most beautiful young lady, and everyone can grovel at my feet."

'Okay never mind.' thought Daniel. He was just about to step forward, to give his speech when a soft voice spoke up.

"I'm Julie Darkflower. I will enter the Tower and destroy the Insect race. They will perish under my wrath and forever remember the name, Julie DarkFlower, as their souls burn for eternity." After saying that, she went silent.

The longest pause yet occurred, as everyone tried to digest the shock of Julies statement.

Daniel had never heard of the Insect race but he could tell that Julie had made it her life mission to destroy them. He didn't know if she could succeed or if it was even a realistic goal, but he could respect the passion in her heart.

Daniel knew that it was his turn. He thought about his goals and what he wants out of this life. His mind went through his past life memories, and introspected what made him happy. He saw himself doing experiments, creating new inventions, and learning new things.

He cleared his throat and said, "My name is Daniel Grey. I have not known you three long, but I thank you for sharing your hearts with me today. I will remember this as long as I live." He paused before continuing, "I enter this Tower today, to discover my tomorrow self. To pursue knowledge, and understand the universe, is the cree I live by. When I enter this Tower, I will be forever searching for answers. This is an endless mission. Perhaps I will climb to the 100th floor, but that will not be the end. As long as I live I will never stop trying to understand. If anybody tries to stop me, then I will obliterate them. If the Tower gets in my way, then I will tear down the Tower! This is my dream!"

The three girls looked at Daniel, as if he was some sort of maniac. However, they didn't make fun of him. That was his hearts dream. They respected that he trusted them enough to share with them.

Lily tightened her hands into fists and she said, "Thank you everyone. That was amazing. Now, everyone press the Tower on the I-Holo screen to get your ring."

All four of them pressed the Tower Icon, and suddenly the air warped in front of everyone. Four white rings materialized on the palm of the four youngsters.

Lily held the ring up in front of her eyes, "Once we put this on our finger, our journey begins. I better see you all tomorrow."

With that, the three girls put the rings on their fingers and vanished from sight.

Daniel saw all this and felt wonder. He looked at the small white ring laying on his palm.

'It's now or never I guess.' With that, Daniel slipped on the ring and thought in his mind, 'Enter The Tower'

The living room inside Lily's house was then quiet as a mouse. For Daniel had vanished.