Arpious of the Planes

"I guess that works," I chuckled. 

After passing through the gate guarded by two massively powerful sentinels, I find myself on a narrow path that leads upward, toward the imposing Tower of Suffering. The guards' silent acknowledgment and solemn nods hint at a strange mix of authority and obedience that seems to permeate this place.

As I ascend the spiraling path, I can't help but feel a growing sense of unease and anticipation. The aura of power and opulence that envelops the upper echelons of this kingdom is almost palpable, and it becomes more apparent with each step.

Eventually, I reach the lower levels of the high-class elf district, and the stark contrast between this part of the city and the impoverished outskirts is astonishing. Grand buildings, adorned with intricate carvings and draped in rich, verdant vegetation, tower into the sky, nearly resembling the layers of a colossal tree. Vines and ivy drape from balconies and terraces, and the scent of exotic flowers fills the air.

These buildings, in stark contrast to the dismal architecture of the lower districts, are elegant and luxurious. They rise upward, one atop the other, forming an intricate and awe-inspiring tapestry of stone and greenery. The high-class elves who reside here enjoy a lifestyle of unimaginable wealth and extravagance.

As I walk through the lush streets, I see the elite elves dressed in elaborate and resplendent robes, moving with an air of confident superiority. Their features, untouched by the hardships of the lower classes, retain the ethereal beauty that is the hallmark of their kind. They seem oblivious to the suffering that plagues the kingdom's less fortunate inhabitants, their focus entirely on their own pleasures and indulgences.

The upper levels of this district are a maze of gardens and terraces, where ornate fountains and waterfalls gurgle softly, and exotic birds sing from the branches of towering trees. It's a paradise hidden among the clouds, a stark contrast to the misery that festers below.

The towering Tower of Suffering looms above, its upper reaches obscured by roiling storm clouds, an ever-present reminder of the oppressive hierarchy that defines this kingdom. As I continue to ascend, I can't help but marvel at the sheer extravagance and beauty of this upper world, a stark juxtaposition to the harshness of the lower realms.

As I continue my ascent through the Tower of Suffering, I pass through a threshold that marks the transition from the lower levels to the upper levels of the high-class elf district. The stark contrast between these two worlds is nothing short of horrifying.

In the lower levels, where opulent buildings and lush vegetation create a facade of grandeur, the presence of slaves was prevalent, and their plight was undeniable. Now, as I climb higher, the number of slaves diminishes, but their treatment becomes a chilling juxtaposition to their brethren below.

Here, the slaves who remain are few in number but seem to be treated with a ruthless efficiency or an eerie degree of benevolence. They are clad in finer attire, and their chains are adorned with jewels and precious metals. It becomes evident that they serve specific and vital functions within the upper echelons of society.

On one hand, there are those who appear to lead lives of relative comfort, carrying out essential tasks with a kind of brutal efficiency. Their service is marked by discipline and obedience, as their masters have little tolerance for any hint of rebellion.

On the other hand, there are slaves who are treated with an eerie kind of "kindness." They attend to their master's every whim, and their well-being seems to be a point of pride for their owners. However, this benevolence is no less unsettling, as it reinforces the stark power imbalance that defines this society.

The opulence of the surroundings here is even more extravagant than in the lower levels. The buildings seem to reach ever higher, their spires disappearing into the clouds. Each balcony and terrace is a marvel of architecture and botanical beauty, with hanging gardens that cascade down like waterfalls of vibrant foliage.

The high-class elves who inhabit this upper world move with a confident grace, their beauty untouched by the hardships endured by the lower classes. They exude an air of self-assuredness that borders on arrogance as if they are fully aware of the suffering that exists both below them and within their ranks.

As I continue my journey upward, I can't help but be haunted by the cruel paradox of this kingdom. The lower levels are marred by overt suffering and injustice, while the upper levels are shrouded in a more insidious form of oppression, where the few remaining slaves serve as symbols of the moral decay and corruption that has taken hold of this society. The Tower of Suffering, its true nature still shrouded in mystery, seems to cast an even darker shadow as I move closer to its pinnacle.

…

(Unknown POV)

The figure's form was not entirely human, their silhouette elongated and almost spectral, as though the darkness itself had given birth to this unsettling being. Their skin, if it could be called that, appeared to be composed of pure obsidian, smooth yet eternally cold to the touch. It seemed to absorb the feeble light within the chamber, casting no reflection and leaving only an emptiness in its wake.

Unearthly whispers seemed to emanate from the figure, soft, haunting murmurs that burrowed into the subconscious of anyone nearby. These whispers were laden with dark secrets, knowledge that was better left undiscovered, and they filled the chamber with a disconcerting aura of malevolence.

The aura exuded by the figure was more than just chilling; it was suffocating. Those who ventured too close felt as if they were being enveloped in a shroud of nightmarish terror, the weight of their own fears pressing down upon them until they struggled to draw breath.

The wings, though tattered and nightmarish in appearance, were not just ornamental. They moved with a sense of sinister purpose, their very presence manipulating the atmosphere. Shadows danced and writhed around them as if the wings were channels to some unfathomable abyss.

Every step taken by the figure resonated with an echoing, otherworldly sound, a symphony of darkness that reverberated through the chamber. The very walls seemed to pulse with this dreadful rhythm as if they were witnesses to a macabre ritual.

The room itself appeared to warp and contort in response to the figure's presence. Shadows swirled, and the ambient light dimmed further, as though the very fabric of reality was being twisted by their will. It was a place where the laws of the mundane world seemed to falter, where the dark being held sway over the very essence of existence.

Then, there was the other person. A familiar presence. The figure's attire was a testament to their celestial nature, a robe of luminescent white that seemed to flow like liquid light. The fabric was adorned with delicate, intricate patterns reminiscent of constellations in the night sky, a celestial tapestry woven into their very clothing.

A halo of radiant light encircled their head, casting a gentle, warm glow that seemed to emanate from within. It bathed their features in a soft, golden light, further accentuating their ethereal beauty and benevolence.

The long, slender fingers of the figure were adorned with delicate, crystalline rings that shimmered like stars in the night, each one a testament to their connection to the celestial realms. These rings seemed to capture and refract the ambient light, casting prismatic beams that danced in the air around them.

Their footsteps, though light and graceful, left traces of iridescent stardust in their wake, a celestial mark that lingered for but a moment before fading into the ether. It was as if the very ground itself rejoiced in their presence, bearing witness to a divine visitor.

The figure's voice, when they spoke, was a harmonious melody, each word imbued with a soothing resonance that seemed to resonate with the deepest recesses of the soul. Their words were filled with wisdom, kindness, and a profound understanding of the universe.

Surrounding the figure, a gentle zephyr of fragrant winds seemed to caress the senses, carrying with it the scent of blooming celestial flowers. It was a scent that transcended earthly beauty, evoking a sense of divine gardens that existed beyond mortal comprehension.

Their aura was one of healing and renewal, a source of solace for those who sought their presence. In their benevolent company, all pain and sorrow seemed to melt away, replaced by a profound sense of hope and well-being.

The room itself was transformed into a sanctuary of celestial grace and tranquility. The air was filled with a sense of serenity as if the very walls and floors were imbued with a celestial presence that whispered of higher realms.

In the presence of this whited-out figure with elven ears and a heavenly, graceful aura, one could not help but feel as though they had been touched by divinity. It was a living embodiment of celestial purity and grace, a beacon of light that shone brightly in a world often clouded by darkness and turmoil. In their radiant presence, the room became a haven of celestial wonder, where all who beheld them were drawn into a realm of transcendent beauty and serenity.

"So you've come back… impeccable timing…"