Viole emerged from the narrow staircase, his muscles aching from the grueling Trial of Stamina. The stone door behind him closed with a heavy thud, sealing off the path back to the lower floors. He took a moment to catch his breath and assess his surroundings.
The third floor was unlike the previous ones. Instead of a dark, ominous chamber or a deadly obstacle course, Viole found himself in a vast, open space that resembled a serene forest. Tall trees with leaves of emerald green stretched toward the sky, their branches swaying gently in an unseen breeze. The air was crisp and fresh, filled with the scent of pine and wildflowers.
But Viole knew better than to be deceived by the peaceful surroundings. The Tower was never what it seemed, and this floor would be no different.
As he stepped forward, the ground beneath him shifted slightly, and he felt a strange energy pulse through the earth. He tensed, ready for whatever challenge awaited him. But instead of a Guardian or a trial, he heard voices—human voices, not far off.
Curious, Viole followed the sound, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. The voices grew clearer as he approached, eventually leading him to a small clearing in the forest. There, he saw two figures engaged in conversation. 
The first was a tall man with a lean build and dark hair that fell over his eyes in a messy fringe. He leaned casually against a tree, his arms crossed, his expression calm and composed. His clothes were simple but well-worn, suggesting he was no stranger to combat or hardship.
The second figure was a girl with short, bubblegum-pink hair tied into twin pigtails. She was shorter than the man, her youthful features framed by a pair of large, expressive eyes that sparkled with curiosity. Her outfit was bright and colorful, a stark contrast to the subdued tones of the forest around her. She gestured animatedly as she spoke, her voice carrying a lively, almost musical tone.
"So then, I was like, 'There's no way that thing's gonna fit in there!' but it totally did! Can you believe it?" the girl said, her words spilling out in a rapid, excited stream.
The man nodded slightly, his expression unchanged. "Yeah. Impressive."
The girl beamed, clearly pleased with his response. "Right? I mean, who would've thought? But, oh! I didn't see you there!" She suddenly turned to Viole, her eyes widening in surprise. "Hey, new guy! Welcome to the party!"
Viole blinked, taken aback by the girl's sudden attention. "Uh, thanks?"
The girl skipped over to him, her smile wide and welcoming. "Name's Bubble! Nice to meetcha! What's yours?"
"Viole," he replied, still trying to process the girl's energy. "Viole Grace."
"Viole, huh? Cool name!" Bubble said with a grin. She pointed a thumb over her shoulder at the man leaning against the tree. "And that over there is Yoru. He’s a bit of a quiet type, but don't let that fool you—he's got skills!"
Yoru gave Viole a small nod in acknowledgment. "Viole."
Viole nodded back, sizing up the two of them. They didn't seem like enemies—at least, not at the moment. But the Tower had a way of bringing out the worst in people, and he knew better than to let his guard down.
"So," Viole began, "what brings you two here? Are you trying to climb the Tower too?"
Bubble chuckled. "Of course! We're all in this for the same reason, right? I mean, who wouldn't want to get their wish granted? But this place is a real doozy, huh? One trial after another. Good thing we’ve got Yoru to keep us from getting lost. He’s got this whole map thing going on in his head."
Yoru shrugged slightly. "I pay attention."
Viole raised an eyebrow. "A map, huh? That's impressive."
"Yup!" Bubble said, her eyes gleaming with excitement. "But what about you, Viole? What’s your story? I mean, everyone here’s got one, right?"
Viole hesitated, not sure how much to reveal. He wasn’t used to talking about himself, especially not to strangers. But something about Bubble’s enthusiasm was disarming, and Yoru’s calm demeanor put him at ease.
"I’m… climbing the Tower for a wish," Viole said finally. "Like everyone else. But it’s personal."
Bubble tilted her head, clearly curious, but she didn’t press further. "Mysterious, I like it! Well, whatever it is, I’m sure it’s important. Everyone’s got their reasons for being here."
Yoru straightened up from his relaxed position against the tree. "We should focus. If we’re on the same floor, that means this trial is likely to be a group challenge."
Viole nodded, appreciating Yoru’s pragmatic approach. "You’re right. The Tower isn’t going to let us off easy. Do either of you have any idea what we’re supposed to do here?"
Before either of them could respond, the ground beneath them trembled slightly, and a soft glow began to emanate from the trees around the clearing. The light coalesced into a single point at the center of the clearing, forming the shape of a glowing, ethereal figure.
The figure was tall and elegant, with a flowing robe that seemed to be made of pure light. Its face was obscured, but its presence radiated an aura of authority and wisdom.
"Welcome, climbers," the figure said in a voice that echoed through the forest. "You have reached the third floor of the Tower, where the Trial of Teamwork awaits. To proceed, you must work together to overcome the challenges ahead. Only through cooperation and trust will you succeed."
Bubble glanced at Viole, her expression excited. "Looks like we were right! Teamwork trial! This is gonna be fun!"
Yoru remained stoic, his eyes focused on the glowing figure. "What do we need to do?"
The figure raised its hand, and the ground before them shifted, revealing three paths leading deeper into the forest. "Each of you must take one of these paths. The trials you face will be different, but they are all connected. Only by working together can you overcome them. Choose wisely, for your success depends on your ability to trust and support one another."
Viole studied the three paths, each one lined with dense trees and undergrowth. There were no clear indicators of what lay ahead, and he knew that whatever challenges awaited them would not be easy.
"Well," Bubble said, clapping her hands together, "I’ll take the middle path! I’m always up for a challenge, and besides, I’ve got a feeling this one’s got my name written all over it."
Yoru nodded, already moving toward the left path. "I’ll take this one. Stay sharp."
Viole took a deep breath and nodded. "I’ll go right, then. Let’s meet back here once we’ve completed our trials."
The three of them exchanged a final glance, a silent agreement passing between them. This trial would test not only their individual abilities but also their ability to trust and rely on one another. Viole knew that the Tower was testing more than just their strength—it was testing their resolve, their willingness to work together.
As they each stepped onto their respective paths, the glowing figure’s voice echoed one last time through the forest. "Remember, climbers, the bonds you forge here may be the key to your survival. Trust in one another, and you will find the strength to overcome any obstacle."
With those words, the figure faded away, leaving the three climbers alone in the quiet of the forest. Viole focused on the path ahead, his senses alert. The trees seemed to close in around him as he ventured deeper into the forest, the light from the clearing gradually fading until he was enveloped in shadow.
He moved cautiously, his hand never straying far from his sword. The air was thick with tension, and he could sense that something was watching him, waiting for the right moment to strike.
After a few minutes of walking, Viole heard a faint rustling in the underbrush ahead. He tensed, ready to draw his weapon, but before he could act, a creature leaped out from the shadows—a massive wolf, its eyes glowing with an unnatural light.
Viole’s heart raced as the wolf circled him, its growls low and menacing. This was no ordinary beast—it was a creature of the Tower, a manifestation of the trial he was facing. But he couldn’t afford to let fear take hold. He had to trust that Bubble and Yoru were facing their own challenges and that they would all come through this together.
The wolf lunged at him with blinding speed, its jaws snapping shut inches from Viole’s arm. He sidestepped just in time, drawing his sword in one smooth motion and slashing at the creature’s flank. The wolf howled in pain but didn’t retreat, its eyes narrowing as it prepared for another attack.
Viole knew he couldn’t afford to be reckless. This trial was about more than just defeating the enemy—it was about endurance and strategy. He needed to find a way to outlast the wolf, to use its own aggression against it.
As the wolf lunged again, Viole rolled to the side, using the momentum to bring his sword down on its back. The blade connected with a satisfying crunch, and the wolf collapsed to the ground, its body dissolving into a cloud of black smoke.
Viole wiped the sweat from his brow, breathing heavily. The trial wasn’t over yet—he could sense that
 there were more challenges ahead. But he was ready. He had to trust that Bubble and Yoru were making progress on their paths as well.
As he continued deeper into the forest, the trees began to thin out, revealing a small clearing bathed in an eerie blue light. In the center of the clearing stood a pedestal, and on top of it, a small, glowing orb.
Viole approached the pedestal cautiously, his instincts on high alert. The orb pulsed with energy, and he could feel its power resonating through the air. This was the key to completing his part of the trial, but he knew it wouldn’t be that simple.
As he reached out to touch the orb, the ground beneath him trembled, and the trees around the clearing began to shift and twist, their branches forming into long, serpentine shapes. The creatures that emerged from the trees were unlike anything Viole had ever seen—massive, snake-like beings with glowing eyes and razor-sharp fangs.
Viole’s grip tightened on his sword as the serpents slithered toward him, their movements fluid and graceful. He could feel their intent, their hunger for the power contained within the orb. But he couldn’t let them have it—not when Bubble and Yoru were counting on him.
The serpents struck with lightning speed, their fangs aimed directly at Viole’s chest. He dodged to the side, slashing at one of the creatures as it passed by. His sword cut through its scales, but the serpent barely flinched, its eyes locking onto Viole with a renewed fury.
Viole knew he couldn’t fight them all at once. He had to be smart, had to find a way to divide their attention. He focused on the nearest serpent, dodging its strikes and landing quick, precise blows whenever he could. The creature hissed in pain, its movements becoming more erratic as it tried to shake off Viole’s relentless assault.
But the other serpents were closing in fast, and Viole knew he was running out of time. He couldn’t afford to get overwhelmed—not when the orb was so close.
In a desperate move, Viole leaped toward the pedestal, grabbing the orb in one swift motion. The moment his hand touched it, a surge of energy coursed through his body, filling him with a renewed sense of strength and determination.
The serpents hesitated for a moment, their eyes narrowing as they sensed the shift in Viole’s power. But they weren’t deterred—they lunged at him with renewed fury, their fangs bared and ready to strike.
Viole didn’t flinch. He channeled the energy from the orb into his sword, the blade glowing with a brilliant light. With a powerful swing, he unleashed a wave of energy that sliced through the serpents, cutting them down in one fell swoop.
The creatures disintegrated into smoke, leaving Viole alone in the clearing, the orb still glowing brightly in his hand. He took a deep breath, the weight of the trial slowly lifting from his shoulders.
He had done it. He had completed his part of the trial.
As the orb’s light faded, the ground beneath Viole began to tremble once more, and a soft, glowing path appeared before him, leading back to the clearing where he had first met Bubble and Yoru.
Viole followed the path, his steps steady and sure. He didn’t know what challenges the others had faced, but he trusted that they had overcome them just as he had.
When he reached the clearing, he saw Bubble and Yoru already waiting for him, each holding a glowing orb of their own. Bubble’s face lit up when she saw him, her smile wide and triumphant.
"Viole! You made it!" she exclaimed, running over to him. "I knew you could do it!"
Yoru gave Viole a nod of approval. "Good work. We’re one step closer."
Viole couldn’t help but smile, a sense of camaraderie forming between the three of them. They had faced their own trials, but they had all come through in the end—together.
The glowing figure from before reappeared in the center of the clearing, its voice filled with pride. "You have passed the Trial of Teamwork, climbers. Through trust and cooperation, you have proven that you are stronger together than you are apart. The path to the next floor is now open to you."
The three orbs in their hands began to merge, forming a single, brilliant light that illuminated the entire forest. The ground beneath them shifted once more, revealing a staircase leading upward, its steps bathed in a soft, golden glow.
Bubble grinned, her excitement palpable. "We did it! We’re really doing this! Next floor, here we come!"
Yoru gave a small smile, his usually stoic expression softening. "Let’s keep moving."
Viole nodded, feeling a renewed sense of purpose. The Tower was challenging them in ways he hadn’t expected, but he was learning that he didn’t have to face it alone. With Bubble and Yoru by his side, he felt a strength he hadn’t known before—a strength that came from the bonds they were forming.
As they began their ascent to the fourth floor, Viole couldn’t help but feel that, for the first time in a long while, he was part of something bigger than himself. The Tower still held many mysteries and challenges, but with his newfound allies, he knew they could overcome anything that stood in their way.
Together, they would reach the summit. Together, they would claim their wishes. And together, they would change their fates.