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> "If they make the rules, change the game.
And if they hold the knife…
Make sure it cuts both ways."
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🏛️ Scene 1 — Inside the Tower
Aegis Academy's Tower Trials were feared and admired — a rite of passage. Only five teams would clear the labyrinth. The rest would fail, humiliated before the entire Year.
Team Six — Aric, Lena, Darin, Myles, and Cassia — stood before the massive iron gates, glowing with ancient runes.
"Trial Initiated," came the voice of the Tower Spirit. "Welcome to the Mirror Maze."
The doors groaned open.
And hell began.
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🌀 Scene 2 — Phase One: Separation
As soon as they entered, the floor cracked. Magic pulsed beneath their feet.
"Separation Protocol Activated."
The ground split — five glowing platforms flew in different directions.
Everyone was alone.
> Just like I wanted, Aric thought.
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🔥 Scene 3 — Aric vs the Echo
Aric landed inside a long hall of mirrors. But these mirrors didn't reflect him.
They reflected… his worst fears.
In one, he saw Lena smiling as she stabbed him.
In another, Darin laughing as fire engulfed Aric's body.
In the final mirror… his past self knelt, weeping.
"You trusted them," it whispered.
"You died for them."
Aric stepped forward, touched the glass.
"Not anymore."
The mirrors shattered.
The path opened.
> Trial of Emotion — Passed.
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⚔️ Scene 4 — Darin's Panic
Meanwhile, Darin ran into creatures shaped like his dead brother. The trial whispered guilt into his ears.
"You left him behind."
"You were never a hero."
He fought hard — but erratic.
His strength failed where control was needed.
He broke through by force… but emerged bleeding.
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🎭 Scene 5 — Cassia's Trial
Cassia entered a dark chamber filled with ticking clocks.
Each clock replayed memories — Lena mocking her, Myles doubting her, Darin ignoring her.
And in the center — Aric's voice, repeating:
> "They'll use you… unless you choose a side."
She screamed.
Shattered the clocks.
And chose her side.
> She walked out holding a weapon: a silent dagger — made for precise strikes.
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🧠 Scene 6 — Team Reunites
Eventually, all five met in the core chamber — a spiraling floor with traps, illusion barriers, and a hovering orb in the center.
To clear the trial, they must protect the orb for 10 minutes against waves of spirit beasts.
Lena took command immediately. "Myles, shield the west. Darin, front-line. Cassia, stay behind and scout."
Aric stayed quiet.
> She still thinks she's in charge.
But he knew something they didn't.
> The final beast wasn't part of the simulation.
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💀 Scene 7 — The Betrayal Setup
As the spirits swarmed, Aric fought with precision — not killing, just weakening.
He watched how Darin overextended.
How Lena focused too hard on commands.
How Myles got distracted.
Then, he saw it.
A black shape — massive, with void-glowing eyes — entered the field.
A real spirit-beast. One the academy hadn't planted.
And it charged straight for Cassia.
Lena shouted, "Cassia, move!"
But Cassia froze.
Aric didn't.
He lunged, tackled her, rolled midair, and slammed the dagger through the beast's eye — the one Cassia had picked up earlier.
Blood exploded. The beast shrieked.
Then—silence.
Cassia gasped beneath him, eyes wide.
> "You… saved me."
Aric stood up slowly. Looked at the rest of the team.
Everyone had seen it.
> The boy they thought was the weakest just saved the trial.
> He took the hit. He made the kill.
He protected the one they left behind.
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📉 Scene 8 — Lena's Leadership Collapses
After the trial, Head Instructor Vireon stood on the platform, watching their group.
He announced:
> "Top scoring unit: Group Six — due to excellent decision-making and selfless sacrifice by… Aric Vale."
Lena flinched.
Darin growled.
Cassia smiled.
Myles muttered, "What the hell just happened?"
The crowd cheered Aric's name.
> Stage 3 complete. Public opinion = hijacked.
Lena's leadership = cracked.
Cassia's loyalty = cemented.
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📓 Scene 9 — The Notebook Update
Back in his room, Aric opened the book again.
"The Tower Trials"
Public favor gained ✅
Cassia's trust locked ✅
Myles destabilized ✅
Darin = aggressive & insecure
Lena = shaken, silent
He wrote a new name under "Tools to Watch":
> The Tower Spirit
"Recognized my aura. It reacted differently.
Possible tie to death? Need to explore."
He smiled to himself.
> They wanted a team player.
I gave them a savior.
But I'm still a monster.
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