The path to the Tower of a Thousand Mirrors stretched before them, winding gently through a tranquil valley adorned with wildflowers swaying in the breeze. Though the scenery was peaceful, the air carried a subtle tension—an undercurrent of unease. In the distance, the tower loomed, tall and silent, promising trials yet unseen.

Despite their purpose, an odd stillness clung to their journey, broken only by the occasional whisper of the wind rustling through the grass.

“I’m just saying,” Friedrich grumbled, adjusting the greatsword on his shoulder, “why didn’t the coachman drop us off at Olmec Hill? Feels like the guild wants us to do all the hard work for free.”

“We’re getting paid,” Siegfried replied, his tone patient but firm. “And complaining won’t get us there any faster.”

Friedrich grinned, unfazed. “Relax, Siegfried. I’m just saying what we’re all thinking. Right, Erik?”

Erik, his black panther ears twitching as he walked beside them, shrugged. “If complaining could build a bridge to the tower, Friedrich, you’d have done the job already.”

Seth chuckled, his golden retriever tail wagging lazily. “Hey, maybe Friedrich’s onto something. A good grumble might be the secret to faster travel.”

“I’ll take that as support,” Friedrich said with a mock.

“We’re almost there,” Klara said, glancing at the map. Her tone, as usual, was calm and reassuring. “Just a little further to the meadow. Then we’ll head toward the lake.”

A peculiar sound interrupted their banter—a soft hum, cheerful and carefree, drifting through the air. Star stopped in her tracks, her senses sharpening.

“Do you hear that?” she asked.

The others paused, listening.

“It’s coming from over that hill,” Seth said, pointing with his finger. “Doesn’t sound like trouble, but you never know.”

The group crested the hill, their weapons at the ready. What they saw made them pause. In the middle of a flower-strewn meadow stood a boy, blonde and radiant, crouched as he picked wildflowers. His golden hair shimmered in the sunlight, and he hummed a lively tune, completely absorbed in his task. He wore simple clothes, and his demeanor was so carefree it was almost unnerving.

“What’s that kid doing here?” Friedrich muttered, narrowing his eyes. “This doesn’t feel right.”

“He doesn’t seem dangerous,” Klara said, though her tone carried a hint of doubt.

“Appearances can be deceiving,” Siegfried said, stepping forward. “Hey, you there!”

The boy looked up, startled, as if he hadn’t noticed them until that moment. Crimson eyes, bright and curious, studied the group. Then he grinned, brushing petals off his pants as he stood.

“Oh, hello!” he said brightly. “Didn’t see you there. Lovely day, isn’t it? Perfect for picking flowers!”

“Who picks flowers in the middle of nowhere?” Erik asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Someone who appreciates the little things,” the boy replied with a cheeky smile. “Life’s too short to ignore beauty, don’t you think?”

Friedrich snorted. “Yeah, sure. Life lessons from the flower boy. Do you at least know the way to the Tower of the Thousands of Mirrors?”

The boy tilted his head, pretending to think. “Tower of what? Oh! You mean the Tower of Reflections?”

“Tower of Reflections?” Siegfried repeated. “Is that its real name?”

“Nah,” the boy said with a playful shrug. “I just call it that. The real name is way too long. Who has time to remember all those words?”

Klara giggled softly at his irreverence, but Friedrich crossed his arms, clearly unimpressed. “Do you even know what you’re talking about?”

“Of course I do,” the boy said, feigning indignation. “I’m the best at directions around here! Ask anyone. Well… if you can find anyone. This place is pretty deserted.”

“Why are you even here?” Seth asked. “Seems like an odd place to hang around.”

“Me? Oh, I just like wandering around,” the boy replied, flashing a cheeky grin. “Keeps things interesting. You’d be surprised what you find in the middle of nowhere.”

“Why do you call it the Tower of Reflections?” Klara asked, intrigued despite herself.

The boy leaned in conspiratorially, lowering his voice. “Because it’s covered in mirrors, obviously. Duh.” He straightened and laughed, his carefree attitude completely at odds with the foreboding reputation of the place they sought.

“Why do you guys want to go there anyway?” he asked, his tone light but his gaze sharp, as if the question carried more weight than it seemed.

Siegfried explained, “The Adventurers’ Guild tasked us with investigating it. No one who’s entered has ever come back. We need to find out why.”

The boy’s expression flickered, just for a moment, before he broke into another grin. “Oh, that’s easy. They probably got eaten by the demon who lives there.”

His casual delivery made everyone freeze.

“...A demon?” Star asked warily.

“Yup,” he said, popping the "p" for emphasis. “Her name’s Beelzebul. At least, that’s what the stories say. Never met her myself. She’s supposed to be pretty terrifying, though. All flies and gross stuff. Not really my scene.”

“You don’t seem very concerned about a demon living nearby,” Friedrich said, narrowing his eyes.

The boy spread his arms dramatically. “What can I say? I live life on the edge.” He gave them a wink, clearly enjoying their discomfort.

Klara couldn’t help but smile. “You’re awfully confident for someone wandering around in a place like this.”

“Confidence is key, my friend!” he said, striking a mock-heroic pose. Then he chuckled and added, “But seriously, why do you want to go there? That place is pretty dangerous."

"Like I said, the Adventurers' Guild has sent us to investigate the tower," Siegfried said, holding back his annoyance.

"Oh, so you guys are similar to those stubborn adventurers who just passing by. I already warned them about the tower, but they didn't listen," the boy said, shrugging.

"Just tell us where is that tower?"

"Sigh, fine. if you want to get to the tower, just follow this road. It’ll take you to the lake. The tower’s on a little island in the middle, but the bridge got destroyed during the Great War. You’ll have to figure out how to get across.”

“Thanks,” Siegfried said curtly, motioning for the others to move along.

They didn’t see him linger.

Or the way his gaze followed Star longer than the others.

The tower reflected in his eyes—

not as it was now, but as it once had been.