Tower of Heaven Research
People throughout the ages have long been fascinated and charmed by the oddity of the tower, with its glistening exterior of silver and white. Over many years, numerous adventurers of all stripes have explored the maze-like interior of the Tower of Heaven—and lost their lives for their trouble. Yet, with each life lost, a valuable relic appears within the maze. Mysteriously, these relics primarily take the form of treasure chests, and are dotted throughout the tower in a seemingly deliberate manner. According to one theory, the tower's self-cleansing mechanism works to organize relics in order to maintain the flow of magical power; another less savory theory suggests that new adventurers are lured in using these treasures as bait, and that Aincrad's magic is replenished with their blood. Many wonder why the tower is structured in this way at all; why allow people to move freely within? Royal elven researchers speculate that the Twin Shrine Maidens may have left a test for those willing to brave the maze—a trial for those banished to the sky, and whose completion will see the twins finally return to the earth.