Chapter 13: The Tower of Shadows
The moon hung low in the sky, casting an eerie glow over the dark silhouette of the Tower of Shadows. Its spires pierced the sky like jagged teeth, surrounded by swirling black mist that seemed to pulse with malevolent energy. It was a place no witch dared to venture without good reason.
Unfortunately for Evanora and Everett, they had one.
Inside, a group of veteran escort witches—the very same witches who had mocked and bullied Evanora—were being held captive by Monroe’s forces. The Tower was notorious for its ability to suppress magic, leaving even the strongest witches powerless. If they didn’t act soon, the witches’ magic would be drained entirely, and they would be left as hollow, soulless shells.
“I can’t believe we’re doing this,” Everett muttered as he and Evanora approached the base of the tower, the shadows seeming to stretch out toward them as if alive. He glanced up at the looming structure.
“I mean, this is... ominous.”
Evanora bit her lip, clutching her wand tightly. “We have to. No one deserves to be trapped here, even if they’ve... well, even if they’ve been awful to me.”
Everett sighed, giving her a sideways look. “You’re too nice, you know that? But you’re right. We can’t leave them.”
She managed a small smile despite the fear gnawing at her insides.
“Besides, we need all the help we can get if we’re going to stop Monroe. Those witches are powerful. If we can save them... maybe they’ll help us.”
Everett nodded.
“Okay. So, any plan on how we’re sneaking into this creepy, magic-sucking tower?”
“I’ve been thinking about that,” Evanora said, her brow furrowing as she glanced around the perimeter.
“The front entrance will definitely be guarded. But I heard from Briar that there’s a hidden side entrance, one only accessible if you’re not using magic.”
“That explains why no one’s just waltzed in and out of here,” Everett remarked, frowning. “No magic means we’re vulnerable.”
Evanora nodded.
“Yeah. But it’s our best chance.”
They made their way around the tower, keeping low and moving as silently as they could. Every step felt heavier as they neared the side entrance—an unassuming stone door hidden behind thick, dead vines. 
Evanora placed her hand on the door, and to her relief, it creaked open without the use of magic.
“Okay, we’re in,” she whispered, glancing at Everett. “Stay close.”
The air inside the tower was cold, the walls lined with strange runes that glowed faintly with dark magic. The oppressive atmosphere weighed down on them, as if the tower itself were trying to smother any hope or light. 
“Great. Dark, creepy hallways,” Everett whispered, his voice barely audible in the suffocating silence.
“Just what I was hoping for.”
Evanora gripped her wand tighter, though she knew it wouldn’t work in here. The Tower of Shadows was designed to neutralize magic, but that didn’t stop her from holding onto it like a lifeline.
“We just have to find the witches and get out before Monroe’s guards notice we’re here.”
They crept deeper into the tower, their footsteps echoing faintly in the gloom. The oppressive feeling of being watched lingered with every turn they made, but they encountered no guards or traps—yet.
Suddenly, Everett grabbed Evanora’s arm, pulling her to a halt.
“Do you hear that?”
They both strained their ears, and sure enough, a faint sound—like the rustling of fabric—echoed through the hall.
“Shadows,” Evanora whispered, her face paling.
Everett frowned.
“Shadows? What do you mean?”
“The Tower of Shadows isn’t just named for its darkness,” Evanora explained, her voice trembling slightly. “It’s protected by shadow creatures. They’re conjured by the tower’s magic, and they’re incredibly dangerous.”
As if on cue, the hallway ahead of them began to darken even more, the shadows twisting and writhing unnaturally. Figures emerged from the darkness—shadowy, humanoid forms with glowing red eyes and elongated limbs. They moved silently but with terrifying speed, slithering toward them like living nightmares.
“Okay, that’s creepy,” Everett said, backing up quickly. “Very creepy.”
Evanora raised her wand instinctively, but it flickered uselessly in her hand. “I forgot—no magic here,” she muttered, panic creeping into her voice.
“We need to run,” Everett said urgently, grabbing her hand. “Come on!”
They sprinted down the corridor as the shadow creatures closed in, their distorted forms growing larger and more menacing with each passing second. The walls seemed to close in on them, the very air turning thick and cold.
Suddenly, the floor beneath them shifted, and with a loud *click*, a trap was triggered. The ground opened up beneath them, and both Evanora and Everett tumbled into a hidden pit, landing hard on a cold stone floor below.
Everett groaned, sitting up and rubbing his shoulder. “Ow. I’m going to feel that in the morning.”
Evanora winced, pulling herself up as well. “This... is bad.”
They were trapped in a small, dark chamber, with no visible exit. The walls were lined with strange symbols, and as the shadows began to pour into the pit from above, Evanora’s eyes widened in realization.
“This room... it’s designed to summon more shadow creatures. We need to get out—now.”
Everett looked around frantically. “How? There’s no door, no windows—nothing!”
Evanora’s mind raced. She remembered Briar mentioning something about the runes that powered the traps in the tower. They could only be deactivated by finding the keystone—a single rune that, when touched, would break the spell.
“There!” Evanora pointed to one of the runes on the far wall. “That one—it’s different from the others. It must be the keystone.”
Without hesitation, Everett scrambled to his feet and rushed toward the rune, but just as he reached out to touch it, one of the shadow creatures lunged at him from the ceiling.
“Look out!” Evanora shouted.
Everett ducked just in time, the creature’s claws narrowly missing his head. He quickly slapped his hand against the rune, and with a sudden flash of light, the shadows dissolved, their eerie forms dissipating into nothingness.
The walls of the chamber shifted, revealing a hidden passage leading upward.
“Nice one,” Evanora said, breathless. “Let’s get out of here.”
They hurried through the passage and soon emerged in a larger, more open chamber—the heart of the tower. At the center of the room, suspended in magical chains, were the veteran escort witches, their faces pale and drawn as the dark magic of the tower drained their powers.
Evanora’s heart clenched. Despite their cruelty toward her, she couldn’t stand to see them like this.
“Hang on!” she called out, rushing toward them. But before she could reach the witches, a cold, mocking voice echoed through the chamber.
“Well, well,” the voice drawled. “Look who’s come to play hero.”
From the shadows stepped one of Monroe’s henchmen—a tall, menacing figure draped in dark robes. His eyes gleamed with malice as he smirked at Evanora and Everett.
“You think you can rescue these witches?” he sneered. “You’re too late. Their magic will be ours soon enough.”
Evanora stood her ground, her fists clenched. “We won’t let you do this.”
The henchman laughed, raising his hand. Dark magic crackled around him, and the room filled with an oppressive energy. “You’re in the Tower of Shadows, little witch. You’re powerless here.”
Evanora’s heart raced, but she refused to back down. “Maybe... but we’re not giving up.”
Everett stepped forward, his jaw set in determination. “You’re outnumbered. Let them go, or this will get ugly.”
The henchman’s eyes flashed with anger. “Foolish boy!”
He unleashed a wave of dark magic, but before it could reach them, Everett pulled out the Crystal of Aether from his pocket, holding it high. The crystal glowed brightly, and with a powerful gust of wind, the dark magic was blown away, dissipating into nothing.
The henchman’s eyes widened in shock. “What—how—?”
Evanora grinned. “Looks like you underestimated us.”
With the power of the Crystal of Aether, Evanora and Everett charged forward, breaking the chains that held the witches captive. The veteran witches collapsed to the ground, weakened but alive.
“Come on,” Evanora said, helping one of them to her feet. “We’re getting you out of here.”
The henchman snarled, but he knew he was beaten. With a final glare, he disappeared into the shadows, vowing revenge.
As they escaped the tower with the rescued witches in tow, Everett looked at Evanora and smiled. “Not bad for a clumsy witch.”
Evanora smiled back, her heart swelling with pride. “Thanks. And not bad for a tourist.”