The city felt quieter after the tower.
Not peaceful—
Just quieter.
As if the world itself was holding its breath.
Drax walked beside Isis through the evening streets of Norn, both still carrying traces of battle despite looking mostly unharmed. People passed by them normally, unaware that just hours ago they had stood against creatures capable of destroying entire nations.
Neon lights flickered overhead.
Cars moved through the streets.
Restaurants buzzed with life.
The world kept moving.
Like it always did.
The restaurant was small but warm.
Nothing fancy.
Just grilled meat, soup, noodles, and enough noise to drown out thought.
Drax sat across from Isis while steam rose from the food between them.
For once—
Neither of them talked about fighting immediately.
Isis stabbed a piece of meat with his fork.
"…I still can't believe that thing broke my arm."
Drax smirked slightly while eating.
"You got distracted."
"Yeah because its arm was the size of a building."
"Excuses."
Isis clicked his tongue.
"Asshole."
Drax chuckled quietly.
Nearby—
Two drunk men laughed loudly at another table.
One slammed his cup down.
"I'm tellin' you—it's true!"
His friend snorted.
"You believe every damn rumor."
"No, listen!"
He leaned closer.
"They're saying once you enter the tower again…"
His expression shifted slightly.
"…you won't be able to come back out."
Isis looked over slightly.
The drunk man continued.
"Life or death till you reach a high enough floor or level or whatever the hell they call it."
His friend frowned.
"…Seriously?"
"Yeah. Hunters already started disappearing."
Silence lingered for a moment after that.
Then Isis sighed.
"…Guess I gotta get stronger quickly."
Drax nodded calmly.
"Yes."
No hesitation.
No comfort.
Just truth.
Because weakness inside the tower—
Meant death.
They finished eating quietly after that.
Eventually Isis stood first.
"Well."
He stretched slightly.
"I'm heading back."
Drax nodded.
"Train your essence control more."
"Yeah, yeah."
Isis smirked.
"Try not to start another apocalypse-level fight while I'm gone."
"No promises."
They both laughed lightly.
Then parted ways.
Norn's night air felt cool.
Drax walked alone through the streets with his hands in his pockets.
A street vendor caught his attention.
Fresh apples.
Roasted mushrooms over charcoal.
The smell alone reminded him of home.
He stopped.
"Give me a few."
The old vendor smiled.
"Sure thing."
A few minutes later—
Drax stood in front of his house.
The lights inside were on.
Warm.
Alive.
He knocked once.
The door swung open almost immediately.
"Big brother!"
Mira launched herself at him without hesitation.
Drax caught her easily.
A second later—
Ellis came running too.
"Brother!"
Drax crouched slightly as both of them hugged him.
A small smile appeared on his face.
"…I missed you guys too."
He handed them the apples and roasted mushrooms.
Their eyes lit up instantly.
"Really?!"
"Thank you brother!"
Drax ruffled Ellis's hair lightly.
Then stepped inside.
The warmth hit him immediately.
Home.
"…Hey mom."
Lyra looked up from the living room.
The moment she saw him—
Her expression softened completely.
"Hey, Drax."
He walked over and hugged her.
She held him tightly for a second longer than usual.
Drax peeled one of the apples with a knife and handed it to her casually.
She accepted it with a small smile.
But even then—
She glanced toward the window again.
Drax noticed.
He always noticed.
Then—
Something moved in the kitchen.
Drax turned slightly.
Lyra smiled faintly.
"It's Tess."
Drax blinked once.
Then smiled.
He walked into the kitchen quietly.
Tess stood near the stove preparing dinner.
Focused.
Concentrated.
"Hey Tess."
She jumped slightly.
"…Drax?!"
He leaned against the doorway casually.
"Yeah. I'm back."
Relief flashed across her face before she hid it quickly.
"Oh… good."
Drax looked at the food.
Then at her.
Without warning—
He walked behind her and hugged her lightly.
"Thanks, Tess."
Tess froze.
Completely.
"…N-No problem…"
Drax let go naturally and walked back out like nothing happened.
Tess stood there red-faced.
Completely stunned.
Then whispered under her breath—
"…Idiot."
Meanwhile—
Drax sat beside his mother near the window.
Outside, the city lights shimmered softly in the distance.
Lyra stared quietly through the glass.
Drax leaned back slightly.
"…Mother."
Lyra looked at him softly.
"Yes, son?"
Drax's expression turned calmer.
More serious.
"…Is something bothering you lately?"
She stayed silent.
Drax continued.
"I've seen you staring out the window a lot."
A pause.
"Like you're reminiscing."
Lyra lowered her eyes slightly.
Then sighed.
"…I've just been thinking about your father."
Drax looked at her carefully.
"…Mom."
His voice softened.
"I think it's time we talked about dad."
Lyra's fingers tightened slightly around the apple.
Drax continued quietly.
"…What happened to him?"
Silence.
Then—
Lyra spoke.
"…He was taken by the tower."
Drax's eyes sharpened instantly.
"…What?"
He sat up straighter.
"Which tower?"
Lyra looked out the window again.
"…The White Tower."
Silence filled the room.
Drax leaned back slowly.
Then spoke calmly.
"…Mephilisto."
Dark essence stirred lightly beside him.
And the spirit of the Abyssal World manifested quietly.
Mephilisto glanced around the room once before looking at Drax.
"Monarch?"
Drax's gaze remained steady.
"…How can someone get trapped inside the tower?"
Mephilisto's expression shifted slightly.
Then she answered.
"There are three ways."
Her voice became quieter.
"Heavier."
"First…"
"…death."
The room felt colder.
"If someone dies inside the tower…"
She looked at Drax directly.
"…their soul remains there."
Mira and Ellis had already fallen asleep nearby, thankfully too far to hear clearly.
Mephilisto continued.
"Second…"
"…a deal."
Drax frowned slightly.
"From Floor One Hundred and upward…"
"…the Tower Administrators begin offering contracts."
Her eyes narrowed.
"Power."
"Authority."
"Knowledge."
"Or survival."
"But every deal has a price."
Drax stayed silent.
Mephilisto raised one final finger.
"And the third way…"
For the first time—
Her expression darkened slightly.
"…the tower chooses you."
Drax's eyes narrowed.
"To rule a floor."
Silence.
"The towers are not good."
Mephilisto's voice carried something rare.
Disdain.
"They have purpose."
"They have will."
"And sometimes…"
"…they can be evil for the sake of that purpose."
Drax leaned back quietly.
"…I see."
But inside him—
Something had already changed.
Because now—
The tower wasn't just a challenge anymore.
It had taken his father.
And Drax never let things that belonged to him stay gone forever.