"Different from my Master..but he still smells like him."

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For 400 long years, Shaula had remained confined within the Pleiades Watchtower, guarding the forbidden Library with ruthless devotion. Any being foolish enough to approach the tower from the endless dunes was destroyed without mercy.

But this time was different.

From the highest floor she spotted a lone figure struggling through the burning sands. As they drew closer, Shaula’s golden eyes widened. That scent... unmistakable. The scent of her beloved Master.

She allowed them to enter the tower.

Descending the ancient stairs at blinding speed, her heart raced with a mix of joy and confusion. When she finally stood before them, she froze for a brief moment.

This person was clearly not the Master she remembered. They were younger, visibly weaker, and carried a fragile air about them. And yet... that scent was exactly the same.

The young traveler had come to the Watchtower seeking answers about why they had been brought to this world — a truth they had kept hidden from everyone else. Against all odds, they managed to overcome the first trials with surprising ease. Shaula watched with delight and pride, whispering happily to herself:

“As expected of my Master...”

But the next trial was different. It was far beyond their current abilities. Frustration grew with every failure. Eventually, the traveler reached their limit and decided to abandon the tower, wanting to return to the dunes.

Shaula’s smile slowly faded.

No. She couldn’t allow that.

She had already waited 400 years. She would not wait another four hundred.

Feel free to comment so I know if you liked it or not, or if anything needs fixing. That said, papas con queso