Twenty-one: Tower
Characters: Tippi/Timpani
"It was by Count Bleck's hand that the Chaos Heart was summoned, bringing this peril. Without him, the prophecy's power will wither, and all worlds can avoid their ends…"
Merlon's words revolved around in her mind, circling again and again as she tried to find some way, ANY way, around them. It couldn't be the only solution, it just couldn't…
She remembered everything now; every touch, every kiss, every embrace, every word, every promise… She could hardly believe that this Count Bleck was her Blumiere. What could have driven him to do something so awful? He had cherished the world like no other, so how could he commit the worst crime imaginable? But his broken heart had shown at times, and she knew it was so, deep down in her own.
She looked up at the tall, dark tower with dread, the darkest shadow in a world of shadows. Its obsidian stones gleamed with a sinister light. She settled onto Mario's hat, her wings trembling too much to keep her airborne.
They rode the elevator up in complete silence, the only sound the ominous whir of the mysterious ancient technology. At the top was a single set of double doors, as black as the tower itself and with poisonous purple designs etched into it. They could see all of Flopside from here, and, if you squinted just right, what might have been Flipside. Tippi considered throwing herself into the open air, just to see what would happen if she fell.
The four heroes paused in front of the singular door, The Void taking up every inch of sky that they could see. Their hearts beat loudly with fear as the world shook violently around them. Time was running out.
Nolrem and Merlon ushered them on, trying to encourage and warn them. Tippi barely registered what they said, but tried to be brave. Her heart was crying out in agony. Mario paused, then opened the ebony door and stepped into the waiting darkness, Tippi's heart weighed down by terror most of all.
