Decision

Droven walked away from the group leaving them alone in silence. Everyone stood there motionless for a few seconds before Lyre turned around and left to follow Droven out. Then a few seconds later Cora began to leave. She walked past Ellis and then stopped a few steps in front of him before hesitating for a few seconds. She turned around quickly and faced Ellis.

"H… here. Your other phone was destroyed in the battle. I was supposed to give this to you earlier but… elephant trunk…"

Cora trailed off and started mumbling and the only word Ellis could pick up was, elephant trunk.

"Elephant trunk?"

Ellis said to her in confusion as he squinted his eyes.

"Shut up!"

Cora threw the phone she had been holding in her hand at Ellis's face.

Smack!

The phone hit Ellis square in the forehead leaving a red mark before it fell. Ellis quickly peeled the phone from his face.

"About earlier, can we just pretend like it never happened? It's partially your fault anyway! Why were you walking around your apartment in just a towel!"

Cora huffed and as she started turning red again.

"So, what are you going to do?"

Ellis breathed out as he tried to change the subject and forget about the whole incident.

Cora looked at him and exhaled quietly.

"I really don't have anyone except for Luna and the others here. Even before the tower appeared, I didn't have any family or purpose. The tower has given me a place to belong again."

Cora spoke with a serious tone and never broke eye contact as she spoke to Ellis.

"I want to protect everyone, and I feel like I am responsible for the safety of the people now. I am one of the only people who can actually do anything about what is happening. There isn't really much of a choice is there? People are counting on us."

"Besides Luna is always itching for a fight."

She faked a laugh and sighed.

"Speaking of her I have to go check on her."

Cora turned around and started to leave. Ellis stood there captivated for a second before he remembered an important question he had.

"Wait, before you leave can you tell me where the medical area is?"

Cora hesitated for a moment, as she wondered why he wanted to go there. He looked completely fine.

"It's on the 15th floor. There is probably a nurse somewhere around on the floor that can help you find whatever you're looking for. See you around!"

Before he could even say thank you Cora had hurried off into the elevator and was already heading up.

Ellis looked down at the phone in his hand. In the contacts there were two names. Droven and Cora. Ellis smiled slightly and put the phone in his pocket. He then turned around and looked out the glass window. The corpse of the magma demon in the corner of the room caught his eye and caused him to go deep into thought.

What would have happened to everyone if all of us weren't there to fight when that thing attacked? The entire city would be gone. Mom and Solara along with it. Even if I was there, what would have happened if Belial wasn't? I'm sure he was the one who saved all of us. I don't want to go back into the Tower but somehow I feel like it's what I have to do. I have to get stronger to protect the things I care about.

Ellis clenched his fist before he turned around and left. He got into the elevator, pressed the button, and slowly rose to the 15th floor. Once he got there, he caught the attention of the first nurse he saw and asked her where he could find his mother. The nurse led him to the room where his mom was and then left. Ellis took a deep breath and went in. He found his mom lying in bed the same as usual with all sorts of machines attached to her. Solara sitting on a sofa near her bedside.

"Brother! Mom looks a bit better doesn't she?"

Solara turned and smiled at him as he walked into the room. Ellis looked at his mom as he walked farther in.

Her complexion looks to be a lot better thanks to the potion, but it still isn't enough to wake her. She is going to need a higher tier potion.

Ellis sat down next to Solara on the sofa.

"Hey, I am going to be gone a while again."

Solara's eyes widened as her smile disappeared.

"What do you mean you're going to be gone a while? You better not be going to fight monsters!"

"I'm going back into the Tower. I'm one of the only ones who has already been in there and made it out. I know what to expect. I need to get stronger in order to protect you and help mom."

"Then I am going with you! You always shoulder everything yourself. I want to help you. I want to-"

"You are absolutely not going into the Tower. It's too dangerous. You need to stay here with mom and watch over here."

Ellis cut her off. There was no way he was going to let her in the Tower. He barely made it out alive.

"What am I supposed to do then? I can't just sit here and do nothing!"

Tears started to gather in Solara's eyes.

"Mom needs you here. I need you here."

The tears in Solara's eyes began to slowly trickle down her face.

"I have to go back in for the sake of mom and you. If I can get a stronger potion then we can have mom back. I'm doing this for us."

Solara opened her mouth to say something, but nothing came out. The two sat in silence for a while before Ellis spoke up.

"Is there anything to eat here? I feel like I haven't eaten anything in three days."

Ellis said to lighten the mood.

"That's because you haven't. There is a cafeteria with food. I'll show you there and we can eat together but tomorrow I'm making you homemade dinner with the new apartments kitchen!"

Solara responded and forced herself to stop crying. They both got up and said their goodbyes to their mom.

Before they walked out the door, Ellis turned and gave his mom one last look.

The next time I see you I promise I will have a potion strong enough to wake you up and we can all be a family again.

Solara showed Ellis to the cafeteria and they had food. Ellis ordered steak and potatoes. Juices from the steak exploded into his mouth in waves of flavor. He could probably eat garbage and it would still taste good to him right now. He devoured the food in seconds and then ordered even more. Even though the food was really well prepared, somehow it still couldn't compare to the homemade food Solara made for him. After they finished eating, they made their way back to the 41st floor and into their apartment.

Once they were inside Solara turned to Ellis and a big grin overcame her face.

"We both don't have anything to do tomorrow right? You have to spend the day with me. No, ifs ands, or buts. We haven't hung out in a long time! Better go to sleep I'm going to wake you up super early!"

Solara turned around and skipped off to her room without giving him a chance to respond. Ellis shook his head and breathed out heavily. He then went into his room and sat down on the bed. On the nightstand next to the bed, there was a pad of paper and a pen. He picked them up and began to write.

I'm sorry Solara, but I don't think I'm strong enough to say goodbye in person.

Ellis thought to himself as he tore the page from the pad of paper that he had written on and laid it on the bed. He then quietly got up and snuck out of the apartment. Once he was outside the apartment, he took out his new phone and pressed the call button under Droven's name before putting the phone to his ear.

"Where are my weapon and armor?"