It rose above the scorched plains like a twisted monument to ambition—The Spire of Dominion, forged from golden bones and black stone. Where the other Spires challenged pain, silence, and fear… this one tested something more dangerous:
Pride.
"Looks like a graveyard made for kings," Ethan muttered, eyes narrowing.
"It is," Lilith replied. "This Spire breaks anyone who wants control."
Sarah touched the bone gate gently. "And we've all wanted it at some point."
The gates opened without touch.
As if inviting them in.
🏛️ The Hall of Crowns
The trio stepped into a colossal hall lined with empty thrones. Above each was a floating golden crown, suspended by strands of invisible energy. Every few steps, a new set of voices whispered in their ears:
"Take your place.""Rule what is rightfully yours.""You were meant to lead."
Lilith felt the pull first.
A throne with horns carved into the stone, dark red velvet cushions, and an obsidian crown hovered above it. Flames flickered behind it.
"I could end this war if I just—"
"Lilith," Sarah said, her voice calm but firm. "This isn't power. It's bait."
But the pull grew stronger. One by one, they were drawn to thrones—each crafted to reflect their deepest desire.
Sarah saw a throne etched in runes, floating mid-air, above a world held together by spellcraft.
Ethan's throne dripped with steam and magma, hovering above a battlefield where all forces bent to his will.
Their hands twitched.
Then came the voice.
👁️ The Test of the Spire
"Three souls. One kingdom. One throne."
A shadow figure descended from the ceiling, its body wrapped in golden armor and black robes. Its face was hidden beneath a war-mask shaped like a snarling beast.
"I am Varnok, the Architect of Dominion. I build kings. I crown tyrants."
🛡️ Varnok, the Architect of Dominion — Profile:
Height: 6'10"
Powers: Authority Infusion, Mind Control, Spectral Chains, Crown Forge
Weapon: The Scepter of Will – Can forge illusions of kingdoms based on the target's desires
Backstory: Once the kingmaker of Hell, Varnok chose rulers for generations. He grew bitter after none lived up to his designs. Now, he tests those who seek power… by tempting them with perfect worlds.
"You may leave this place," Varnok declared, "but only one of you may keep your soul. The others will become extensions of their throne."
Chains erupted from the walls. Spectral illusions appeared—ideal versions of Lilith, Sarah, and Ethan. They were flawless. They ruled. They smiled.
And they turned on their real selves.
Lilith vs. Crowned LilithThe illusion version ruled all of Hell with no friends, no allies—just submission.
"You don't need them," Crowned Lilith said. "You're power incarnate."
But Lilith remembered every scar, every tear. Every moment Sarah and Ethan stood by her.
She shattered the illusion with a scream: "Power without love is just a cage!"
Sarah vs. Archwitch SarahHer illusion floated above armies of magical servants, beloved by all.
But it was hollow. Cold. Lonely.
"Real strength," Sarah whispered, "is sharing power—not hoarding it."
She whispered an unraveling rune and turned her illusion to dust.
Ethan vs. Warlord EthanHis double crushed mountains with steam fists. He commanded firestorms.
But he saw what he'd become—unfeeling. Detached. Worshipped but unloved.
Ethan growled. "I'd rather burn with my friends than rule without them."
He ignited both hands—steam spiraling around his arms—and melted his double into the floor.
Varnok roared. "You reject the throne? The world needs rulers!"
Lilith stepped forward. "Then let it crown itself."
Varnok attacked with blinding light and mind-breaking illusions. Chains wrapped around their necks, dragging them toward the thrones again.
Sarah flew up and broke the Scepter of Will with a glyph-empowered strike.
Ethan turned the chains into vapor with a burst of fused water and fire.
Lilith summoned her phoenix construct and flew into Varnok, flames erupting around her. She didn't destroy him.
She freed him.
The golden armor cracked. Inside was a broken man—once human, now lost.
"Rule yourself," she whispered.
Varnok vanished into light.
Only one crown remained now—floating in the air.
Lilith reached for it.
It descended not to her, but to all three of them. It split into three fragments—gold, silver, and flame—and embedded into their chests like small sigils.
"Power shared is power that lasts," the Spire whispered.
The tower crumbled.
And far in the distance… the Fourth Spire appeared.
It was cold. Icy. Encased in crystal.
Lilith narrowed her eyes. "The Spire of Remorse."
Ethan nodded. "We've seen what we could become…"
Sarah finished, "...now we face what we regret."