"Are you ready for the spar?"

"Yes, I'm on my way," Ayu transmits back.

I stretch a bit and climb into the arena, my body in good shape as I make sure to avoid any extreme exercises before the duel—a lesson learned the hard way.

Seconds pass, and Ayu arrives. She takes off her mask and walks toward me with her refreshing smile.

She rises onto her toes and leans forward, planting a soft kiss on my lips.

"How was your day?"

"Well, Chiara came by earlier."

"Oh? She also talked to me this afternoon. I don't know… she seems different, I guess. But, like, in a good different," Ayu says, tilting her head thoughtfully. "I mean, she's kind of crazier, but… more herself, I suppose."

"Hmm, that's a good take. But she did come up with some very, very good ideas. Her approach to wave control and its essence is fascinating."

"Well, she's a genius, like, in science stuff. It's a shame, though, that people don't appreciate it," Ayu says, her expression a mix of emotions.

"Don't appreciate it? You mean the other climbers? What happened?"

Ayu bites her lip, her expression wavering between worry and amusement. Is she holding back a laugh?

"Well, we both did that teaching thing Lukas told us to do. She went first, and I thought it was super good—like how a professor would teach. The terms and connections between them all felt right, and the mental images were really cool. Honestly, I was tense about going second because I thought the bar was already too high.

"So, well, I tried to teach them like you explained it to me. I sent them the feel for the waves, the principles of Overdrive, and how to get the right sense for it. A lot of them got it pretty quickly, especially Wang, Imani, and Arjun. The others seemed really excited too. I think it went okay—if maybe a bit bland compared to Chiara's style."

I can already see where this is going and can't help but smile.

"So, after that, each climber had to choose one approach—and, consequently, one teacher—either Chiara or myself. And… well… except for Wang, who asked if he could attend both, all the others… chose my course."

I can't hold it in and let out a laugh. "Well, that was expected."

"Don't laugh," Ayu says, though she's clearly trying to stifle her own laughter. "I… felt a bit bad. Chiara's really good. I think it's just that people don't like complicated stuff and are too lazy to really learn."

"Well, laziness has always been an innate value of us humans. The less we have to do, the better," I say with a shrug. "Anyway, I think the outcome was good. A bunch of climbers with Overdrive hopping around should be fun. Hopefully, they don't end up killing themselves."

She frowns, her brows furrowing and her thin lips forming that adorable pout. "Don't say that about my students."

"Oh, right, Ayu the teacher," I tease with a grin. "Hmm, that could be a good role play for tonight."

"YOU—!" Her face turns red as she dashes toward me, trying to land a hit, but I step back just in time.

"That's good. Channel that anger, and," I say, slipping my mask on, "let's start the spar, shall we?"

"Arjun, you have a moment?"

Arjun paused, turning to face Lukas. "What's the matter?"

"It's concerning your unique condition," Lukas said, his tone unusually serious.

Arjun frowned. "What of it? I already told you it's fine. I'm getting used to it."

"Oh, I know you are. The slightly irregular pace in your speech is practically non-existent now. You're adapting quickly. But I was thinking—have you considered leaning more into your strengths?"

Arjun tilted his head, curiosity mixing with caution. "What do you mean?"

"I mean the way you fight. Your sword and dagger skills are solid, no doubt. But your condition gives you something the rest of us can't replicate: time. More time to channel and merge your waves, more time to aim and make your shots count. That precision and power make you a natural sharpshooter. You could turn that into something unmatched."

Arjun hesitated, his expression guarded. "Are you saying I should give up melee entirely? Just focus on bullets?"

Lukas raised a hand in reassurance. "Not at all. Balance is important. But think about it—your body might struggle to keep up with the speed of your mind, but your wave control and output don't have that limitation. They can make full use of your special condition."

Arjun's shoulders tensed slightly. "But if I rely on the bullets alone, I'll be vulnerable up close."

"Not if you use your strengths," Lukas said, his voice calm but encouraging. "Your ability to think and act faster than most means you could fire that close-range shot before they even get to you. And you've got a team backing you—skilled climbers who can handle the melee while you excel where you're strongest. Nobody can do everything perfectly, but you can become the best at what you're uniquely built for."

Arjun stayed silent, processing the words.

"Chiara made a similar shift," Lukas added, almost casually. "She put the sword down and leaned fully into her wave control. She knew where her strength was and decided to refine it. And now? She's growing into quite the monster."

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Arjun looked up, his eyes narrowing slightly but thoughtful.

"Just something to think about," Lukas said, offering a small smile. "I'm not saying to change everything overnight. Experiment, test what feels right for you. But you have a rare gift, Arjun. Don't limit yourself by trying to be good at everything. Be exceptional at what only you can do."

There was a pause before Arjun nodded, his gaze softening slightly. "I'll think about it."

"That's all I ask," Lukas said, clapping him lightly on the shoulder before walking away.

October 18, 2024 - Los Angeles, California

"Good evening, Los Angeles. It's been just over 15 hours since the Second Ascent began, and climbers are now entering the second room of The Tower.

"In the corner of your screen, you can see footage from inside The Tower. This is Katty, a 25-year-old from Riverside County, one of the several dozen chosen climbers out of the 30,000-plus California residents who signed a filming rights agreement with KTLA."

The video shows Katty stepping cautiously into a stark, white room. At its center stands a cage, illuminated by an unsettling, sterile light.

"The white room appears deceptively simple, but the more you watch, the more unsettling it becomes," the image zoomed in, revealing the details of the cage at the center. "We can now see the humanoid monster inside—a creature with an eyeless, featureless face and sharp, jagged teeth. Its appearance alone is enough to give nightmares to many. And yet, this is something every climber must confront."

The video then focused on a single red button near the cage. "And they face it by willingly pressing this button."

The screen returned to Maria, her tone shifting slightly as she continued.

"While Katty takes her time inside, here's an important update: the number of confirmed climbers worldwide has risen to 4.76 million, and the count is still growing. This staggering figure suggests a much larger summoning than the First Ascent."

She paused, leaning slightly forward. "This raises the question—what about a Third Ascent? How many more people might be taken?"

The screen shifted back to Katty. "We can see her hesitating, gripping the knife tightly in her hands as she observes the horror-like abomination inside the cage. There's movement now, but she's clearly weighing her options. She knows what must be done—but knowing and doing are two very different things."

The footage lingered for a moment before Maria's voice continued, her tone steady but somber.

"On another note, several thousand climbers have already returned from The Tower, forming what is now being referred to as the Second Generation of Returnees. These individuals made the difficult choice to end their own lives inside, choosing not to continue their ascent."

She glanced briefly at her notes before addressing the audience directly.

"Due to the unprecedented influx of returnees, authorities have announced changes to the Standard Returnee Protocol. For those who do not reach the second tier of The Tower, the process will now focus solely on psychological treatment and a careful re-induction into normal life, streamlining what was previously a more complex and lengthy procedure."

"In Los Angeles, city officials have mobilized additional mental health resources to meet the overwhelming demand. Temporary counseling centers have been set up across the city, including at public parks, recreation centers, and even within local churches, to provide immediate support for returnees and their families. The Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health has partnered with private organizations to deploy crisis teams around the clock, ensuring that every returnee has access to care within hours of their arrival."

"Additionally, state and city authorities have issued a statement urging the public to remain compassionate and supportive of the returnees, many of whom are expected to experience long-term psychological trauma. Public campaigns have been launched to educate the community on how to approach and help returnees reintegrate, emphasizing that these individuals are not failures but survivors of inhuman trials."

"In addition to the revised protocols for returnees, authorities are encouraging the use of the ASCENT website or app to improve accessibility and understanding of the events unfolding inside The Tower. The system, which has seen a major overhaul since the First Ascent, now offers enhanced features that allow families and friends of climbers to follow their loved ones' progress more effectively and with far greater ease.

"Unlike the direct visual links used during the First Ascent, which were static and required manual resets, the ASCENT system is far more user-friendly. Users can now seamlessly navigate through the footage with options to zoom, pause, and rewind specific moments. The system even provides real-time lip-reading for climbers, making it easier for families to feel connected and understand their loved ones' actions and decisions inside The Tower.

"Privacy remains a top priority. The ASCENT system incorporates advanced filtering algorithms to ensure that climbers' personal moments are appropriately redacted. This strikes a careful balance between providing transparency and respecting the dignity of those inside.

"Authorities and tech experts alike are promoting the ASCENT system not only as a tool for families but also as a way to reduce the psychological burden of uncertainty. By offering a clearer, more interactive window into The Tower, the system aims to foster hope, understanding, and even a sense of support for those facing the unimaginable inside."

"Oh, and here we see Katty finally making a move. Will she do it?" Maria's voice carried tension as the visual displayed a visibly shaken Katty, her steps slow and deliberate as she approached the button on the wall. Her eyes never left the creature, its eyeless face tilting unnaturally as though it sensed her presence.

The footage zoomed in, capturing her trembling hand hovering over the button. She paused, taking a deep breath as the faintest trace of determination crossed her face. Then, with a quick motion, she pressed it.

In an instant, the cage vanished into thin air. The creature, now unrestrained, twisted its head sharply toward Katty. Its sharp, jagged teeth became visible.

But Katty didn't freeze. She steadied herself, gripping the knife tightly, and let out a yell as she charged at the creature, the difference in height gave her an advantage.

She kicked it hard, sending it stumbling backward. Without hesitation, she crouched low, gripping the knife with both hands, and drove it into the creature repeatedly.

The feed blurred and was censored on the screen, but Maria's voice carried on. "What we're witnessing is nothing short of extraordinary courage and sheer strength of will. Katty, a 25-year-old from Riverside County, is showing us the kind of resolve required to survive in the brutal conditions of The Tower. It's not just about physical strength—it's the mental fortitude to act despite fear."

The blurred visuals continued, with the faint outlines of Katty's relentless movements visible. The creature stopped moving, and Katty stumbled back, panting and shaking.

Maria's voice softened slightly. "This is a reminder of what every climber faces inside The Tower: terror, pain, and impossible decisions. And yet, here we see a young woman who chose to fight. Katty's bravery is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, even in the face of unimaginable horrors."

The screen shifted back to Katty as the creature dissolved, leaving behind a faintly glowing orb in its place. The feed zoomed in as Katty hesitated before reaching out to touch the orb. The moment her fingers brushed it, her expression shifted—relief and awe spreading across her face. The fatigue from the fight seemed to melt away as her breathing steadied and her stance grew stronger.

Maria's voice returned, her tone reflecting a mix of admiration and curiosity. "Her bravery has been rewarded with a gift—one that removes all lingering adverse medical conditions and disabilities while boosting both mind and body. These are the known effects of the first orb, a testament to The Tower's strange and transformative nature. Here, survival isn't just a test of will; it's a chance to evolve."

The screen shifted back to Maria in the newsroom, her expression resolute. "We will continue to follow Katty's journey and others like hers as they navigate The Tower. Stay tuned for further updates as we bring you more stories of courage, survival, and the mysteries unfolding within. Thank you for joining us for this special report. This is Maria Sanchez, KTLA News. Stay safe, and good night."

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