The remaining kings stared at King Atlas.
"Atlas," King Helios called again. "Why aren't you moving?"
For several seconds, there was no response.
Then—
King Atlas slowly turned toward them.
His face was pale.
"We can't go any further."
Helios frowned.
"What are you talking about?"
Atlas looked behind him.
The remnants of his legion stood motionless.
Some were sitting against the walls, too exhausted to stand.
Others were tending to their wounds.
Only a handful remained standing.
"We've lost too many," Atlas said quietly.
His voice carried no fear.
Only exhaustion.
"We've fought through ninety-nine floors."
He looked toward the enormous staircase leading upward.
"One floor remains."
King Arcadia stepped closer.
"Then we finish it."
Atlas shook his head.
"You don't understand."
He pointed toward the staircase.
"We've been fighting monsters all this time."
"But what awaits us on the final floor?"
No one answered.
They had all thought about it.
If every floor had become progressively stronger...
Then what could possibly be waiting on the hundredth?
A silence fell over the group.
Then—
BOOM.
The entire tower shook.
Dust fell from the ceiling.
Everyone immediately reached for their weapons.
Another tremor followed.
BOOM!
This time, it was stronger.
The staircase leading to the final floor began to glow.
A faint red light seeped through the cracks beneath the massive door at the top.
King Calypso narrowed his eyes.
"That isn't normal."
Helios tightened his grip around his weapon.
"Whatever is behind that door..."
He looked at the remaining soldiers.
"We're going to face it."
Atlas remained silent.
Then one of his soldiers stepped forward.
"Your Majesty..."
Atlas turned.
The soldier bowed his head.
"We didn't come this far to turn back now."
Another soldier stood.
Then another.
One by one, the exhausted remnants of the Southern Legion rose to their feet.
Atlas stared at them.
His eyes widened slightly.
He had thought they had reached their limit.
But they were still willing to follow him.
He slowly clenched his fist.
"Very well."
He turned toward the staircase.
"If this is where our journey ends..."
His eyes hardened.
"Then let us make sure the world remembers how we fell."
The four kings stood together.
Behind them stood the last remnants of their armies.
Before them—
The 100th floor.
And whatever awaited them beyond its gates.