Chapter 52: The Gates Open


    It was a busy day in the Stone Tower. The air was thick with anticipation as the recruits buzzed with excitement. Today, the “Gates” would be opened. This was a figurative declaration of their freedom to explore the Inner Perimeter without the limitations of tasks or supervision, although the tower’s gate would be also opened permanently. For many, this was their first real taste of freedom in months since arriving at the Tower, and it showed in the gleam in their eyes and the way they jostled with barely contained energy.


    The first floor of the Tower was packed with recruits, Abel among them, standing shoulder to shoulder with Sena, Nando, and Isabella with baskets on their backs. Abel''s thoughts were a swirl of both eagerness and focus. This was what he had been waiting for. The freedom to explore, learn, and grow in his own way. He glanced around at the others, noticing how the months of training and struggle had formed cliques—groups of recruits who had bonded during their time together and now planned to explore the wilderness in those same tight-knit groups.


    Abel’s mind was on his own path. The work in the library had given him insight into the strange power he had tapped into, and the time spent stargazing had revealed things to him that he was still processing. He knew he needed to build his foundation—understand more about the magic, the stars, and the power within himself. But beyond that, there was also a thrill in the thought of seeing the Stone Forest up close, of walking through the shadows of those towering, ancient trees without the strict oversight of tasks.


    Beside him, Sena seemed restless, his fists clenching and unclenching at his sides. His physical transformation since the fire had left him stronger, his muscles more defined, and his hair a deeper shade of red. Yet despite the changes, there was something grounded about him now—a sense of calm that hadn’t been there before. “Finally,” Sena muttered under his breath, his eyes on the massive gate ahead of them. “I’ve been waiting for this. Time to see what we can really do.”


    Isabella stood nearby, her arms crossed but her eyes alight with curiosity. She had always been practical, focused on progress and her own studies, but Abel could see the same excitement in her gaze. Her connection with her snake familiar had grown, and the idea of gathering rare beast parts from the forest undoubtedly intrigued her. She smiled slightly, tilting her head toward Abel. “It’s time we push our limits,” she said quietly. “I’m tired of being cooped up in here.”


    Nando, on the other hand, was pacing slightly, his usual carefree attitude dimmed by a layer of apprehension. He had grown more serious in recent weeks, no longer making the lighthearted comments he used to. “We need to stick together,” he muttered. “The forest is one thing, but I’m more worried about what—or who—we’ll run into out there. The Tower isn’t the only place with eyes on us.”


    Suddenly, the massive gates in front of them began to groan, shifting with a deep rumble that echoed through the hall. The noise sent a thrill through the gathered recruits as the thick stone doors slowly swung open, revealing a blinding light that cut through the shadows of the Tower. The light split the hall like a blade, spilling over the stone floor and creating a dazzling path forward. The recruits leaned forward, drawn by the promise of adventure that lay just beyond.


    Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.


    The gates revealed the Stone Forest, its towering trees standing like ancient sentinels, their bark dark and twisted, covered in thick vines. The forest was shrouded in a light mist, with beams of sunlight breaking through the canopy to cast shifting patterns of light and shadow on the forest floor. It looked both beautiful and forbidding, as if it held secrets and dangers that could either lead to great rewards or destruction.


    Glandel, standing to the side, raised his voice over the growing murmur of the recruits. “Listen up,” he called out, his tone sharp and commanding. “The Inner Perimeter is open to you now, but there are rules. Venture into the Outer Perimeter, and there will be consequences. Follow the rules, and you’ll stay safe. Fight amongst yourselves, and you’ll regret it.” His gaze swept over the crowd, making sure his words sank in. “You’re free to explore, but remember—this freedom comes with responsibility. Don’t be stupid.”


    With that, Glandel stepped aside, and the recruits surged forward, their excitement palpable as they prepared to leave the Tower and head into the forest. Abel was just about to take a step when a sound came from above—footsteps on the grand staircase.


    All heads turned as a group of gifted recruits descended from the upper floors. They moved with a confidence that bordered on arrogance, their polished robes and elegant postures setting them apart from the non-gifted recruits. Abel felt the shift in the atmosphere immediately. The gifted group walked with an air of superiority, their expressions distant and dismissive, as if they had little regard for the others. It was clear they saw themselves as the elite.


    The non-gifted recruits parted automatically, stepping aside to allow the gifted to pass. There were murmurs, some of them bitter, and Abel noticed a few recruits glaring at the gifted with barely concealed resentment. The divide between the gifted and non-gifted had always been there, but now it was painfully obvious. As the gifted recruits strutted past with their noses in the air, Abel could feel the tension rise, but no one said a word.


    As the gifted group left the Tower, the non-gifted recruits stood frozen for a moment, the weight of that encounter lingering in the air. Then, as if shaking off an invisible pressure, the non-gifted began to move again, following the path out of the Tower and into the forest.


    Abel glanced at his companions. They had always been aware of the divide between the recruits, but today, it felt sharper. “Let’s just get moving,” he said quietly, nodding toward the open gates. “We’ve got things to do.”


    The group headed out, moving through the gates and stepping into the cool, misty air of the Stone Forest. The scent of earth and greenery filled Abel’s lungs as they walked beneath the towering trees, the light dimming as the thick canopy overhead blocked out most of the sunlight. The forest felt alive, the sounds of rustling leaves and distant animal calls filling the air. It was both beautiful and ominous, like stepping into another world.


    Isabella walked slightly ahead, her eyes scanning the underbrush for any signs of creatures or useful materials. Sena flexed his hands, clearly eager to test his strength in a real environment. Nando, though quieter, seemed more alert than usual, his eyes darting between the trees as if expecting something to jump out at them at any moment.