Chapter 5: The Rising Tide Twelve Years Later The 135th floor was a stark contrast to the vibrant training ground it had once been. Tensions simmered in the air, palpable and heavy. The inhabitants

Chapter 5: The Rising Tide

Twelve Years Later

The 135th floor was a stark contrast to the vibrant training ground it had once been. Tensions simmered in the air, palpable and heavy. The inhabitants of the Tower were restless, their hopes dashed by the closure of the 136th floor. Many felt betrayed, their dreams of climbing further into the Tower thwarted by the decisions of the Family Heads.

Jahad stood on the balcony of his makeshift palace, overlooking the gathering crowd below. His expression was grave, heart heavy with the turmoil unfolding before him. A sea of faces—some familiar, others not—gathered, voices raised in anger and despair.

"Open the door!" they shouted, their cries echoing against the stone walls. "We deserve a chance!"

Beside him, Ariel looked out at the chaos, her innocent features masking the power that simmered beneath her skin. At only five or six years old in appearance, she had been untouched by the years that weighed heavily on Jahad. Yet, there was a newfound understanding in her gaze, a flicker of awareness of the world's darker realities.

"Why are they so upset?" she asked, her voice soft but curious.

Jahad knelt to her level, sadness etched across his face. "They believe that closing the door to the 136th floor has robbed them of their future," he explained. "They want freedom, a chance to climb."

"Will we have to hurt them?" Ariel's question hung in the air, the weight of it pressing down on Jahad.

He sighed, torn between his protective instincts and the need to maintain order. "Sometimes, when people feel desperate, they can act out of anger. But we will do everything we can to protect them while also keeping everyone safe."

Just then, a loud crash rang through the air as a group of rebels surged forward, clashing with the guards stationed at the gates. Panic swept through the crowd as the situation escalated.

Jahad's heart raced. He knew he had to act swiftly. "Ariel, stay close," he commanded, straightening his posture. "I'll handle this."

As he stepped forward, he raised his hand, channeling Shinsoo into a powerful wave. "Everyone, listen to me!" he called out, his voice booming over the chaos. "I understand your frustration, but violence will not solve your problems!"

The crowd hesitated, their anger momentarily stilled by his presence. But as shouts erupted once more, Jahad felt the flicker of desperation within him. He had to protect the inhabitants, even if it meant using force.

With a heavy heart, he summoned a thousand bangs of Shinsoo, sending them crashing down toward the rebels. The energy cascaded like a waterfall, a dazzling display of power that swiftly subdued the chaos.

A deafening silence followed as the dust settled, leaving only the sound of heavy breathing. Jahad surveyed the scene, his heart aching at the sight of his people, some stunned, others wounded.

Ariel's small hand gripped his arm, her expression a mixture of fear and confusion. "Did we have to hurt them?" she whispered, her eyes wide.

Jahad knelt beside her, his heart breaking at the pain reflected in her gaze. "Sometimes, we must make difficult choices to protect those we care about," he said softly, his voice trembling. "But I never wanted it to come to this."

As the injured were tended to and the rebels subdued, Jahad felt the weight of his decisions pressing down on him. He had fought for unity, but in that moment, it felt as if he had only deepened the divide.