Return of the Tower Conqueror

  World Gathers (VI)

Three and a half months swiftly passed by -- at least for Cain. He spent most of it indoors, only occasionally practicing a bit with Mana once his debuff wore off and he was back at full strength. Otherwise, he hung out with Lana and Rick mostly, binging shows he never thought he'd binge, reading books he'd never thought he'd read, and watching so many children's cartoons he began talking like a kid himself for a little while.

To his surprise, the world didn't undergo as many changes as he thought it would after his little speech; it largely returned to the status quo, though all nations with the Towers did ease a bit on the restrictions and slowly started allowing others to come in. Furthermore, there were yet to be any wars -- a much greater shock for Cain. He truly doubted it was because they were absolutely terrified of him, and suspected they were either biding their time or waiting for the news of him entering the Tower to spread.

Chances are... they already know my real identity, he sighed inwardly, glancing at Lana. There was no way he could leave her in these troves without doing anything. Even the thought of something happening to her... chilled his soul.

"Honey, I'll step out for a while!" Cain called out. "Be a good girl!"

"Yes daddy!!" Lana replied as she quickly summoned out the big-bellied bird, playing with it.

Cain donned the mask and began stealthily teleporting around, reaching Rick's office in just a few minutes. The old man was going over a stack of papers, appearing to have aged backward slightly as more hue was restored to his graying hair.

"Yo."

"AAAHA!!" Rick cried out in panic for a moment before realizing it was Cain. Breathing heavily and glaring at him, he clasped at his chest for a moment to calm the heart that almost ripped itself out of his chest. "Jesus Christ dude... you scared the hell out of me!"

"What are you doing here? Didn't we make plans for dinner later tonight?"

"Yup," Cain replied, sitting down. "Things have been too quiet, Ricky."

"... yeah."

"I need to know what's going on."

"Why?"

"I'm not gonna leave Lana behind."

"I can protect her, Cain." Rick reassured.

"And I trust that you can," Cain said. "Nonetheless."

"... CIA picked up on some chatter," Rick said, sighing. "That everyone is laying low until they clear the first floor as well. They seem to believe that your, you know, strength comes from the second floor."

"Any idea how close they are?"

"No," Rick shrugged. "Their floors are all different. What we know is that they still haven't even found a way to get through."

"And you're positive on this?"

"Again, no," Rick sighed, standing up and walking over to a solitary cabinet in the room, taking out a bottle of scotch and pouring them each a glass. "It's just stuff we heard. They've clamped up considerably since the Towers; there is basically no digital trace to anything. If you're so worried, why did you even make the declaration?"

"... someone had to," Cain sighed, taking a sip. "I'm thinking of bringing Lana in."

"Dude!"

"Not just her, but you and everyone else too."

"Huh?"

"The central city of the second floor supports living there; problem is, we have to earn our way up. I was gonna move everyone in eventually since it's much safer which was why I didn't rush going any higher but this..."

"Is it possible that you're just being a bit paranoid?" Rick asked.

"Maybe," Cain replied. "But I trust my paranoia, Ricky. I don't trust the whimsical voice in my head that keeps singing 'all is good', but the one that's shooting it with crossbows. People are deranged; while I have faith we'll eventually cross the bridge, right now, we're still the same -- with an added benefit of being able to use magic. Egos swell rapidly, Ricky. Think back to how you were when you were what, level 20?"

"..."

"Now imagine someone who's level 40, who had one or two lucky breaks and survived while gaining top rewards. Their heads are in the clouds. Eventually, they'll die -- but I'm not worried about eventually. But today. Yes, someone will likely cleave the rapist's head in time, but how many women will suffer until then? We can't take the world at the faith of it getting better and ignore the lenses of reality."

"I'll find out."

"Huh?"

"I'll find out their progress," Rick said, smiling faintly. "Names of their top-secret Conquerors, where they live, what their classes are, when they're planning on striking, who they're planning on striking, everything, Cain. I know it may seem as though I've buried myself in the government's asses, but I... I never stepped down from our promise. I have all the departments up and running, even if they're a bit rocky right now. I'm still finding new people for you to scout. And, right now, I have a full two hundred Conquerors working shifts around the Compound, making sure nobody goes in our out unnoticed. I have Lana's apartment surrounded by Conquerors living there and have them being followed by cameras all the time.

"I'm your friend first and patriot second, Cain. I promise that."

"... you're making me blush over here, old man," Cain chuckled, taking a sip. "I know. I'm not blind, Ricky. Honestly, without you, I'd have likely dragged Lana and everyone else inside already, the shithole we'd be living in be damned. I will repay you, old man."

"What do you mean 'repay me'?" Rick shrugged. "Without you, I'd be like those other dumbasses, lost, uncertain who to hire, what to do, where to go, what's what, and who's who. Instead, I know what to focus on, what to go after, and can relax the rest of the time with my family. Before the Towers... I spent, what? Maybe an hour a day with my kids? I barely knew anything about the two souls I loved the most in the world. Now I'm teaching Delilah to play the piano, I'm playing catch with Chris and telling him all the legendary stories of Uncle Cain... I got back something I never even realized I'd lost."

"... yeah," Cain sighed. "I don't know what it is, but we always think 'ah, there is time. They're just kids. Eventually, they'll understand'. But time... waits for no one. It goes and goes and before you know it, you're an old man with someone changing your diapers while you learn about your kids from that weird friend that keeps up with everyone. I envy you, Ricky," he added, looking at the old man. "To be able to stay here, all the time."

"... why don't you too?" Rick asked somberly.

"..." Cain paused, uncertain as to what to reply. Did he have to go into the Tower? No. Nobody and nothing was forcing him. Then... why was he going back inside despite his heart calling him out here? "I don't want the time to be a factor," Cain said. "Of many things in my life, I've never been and never will be certain. But that I want to spend as much time with Emma and Lana... that one I know. It's a gamble; cast the today away for the distant future. It stings, though, the uncertainty."

"I'm pretty sure that future, for you at least, is certain," Rick chuckled. "Lana... worships you, Cain. And certainly not because of who you used to be. She brags about her dad who goes into the big, evil place and fights the bad guys, keeping the world safe. You should see how her eyes light up whenever she butchers one of your stories in her retelling. In her mind, you can never fail -- and, by God, she wrung me over to that side."

"Ha ha ha..."

"We're different guys, Cain," Rick added. "And neither one of us cares less about those we love. With your talent, it makes sense to bank on the future... because you can and will obtain it. I can't. I know that, in my heart. Ever so often, I'll go on an adventure to feel young again, but that's it. You, on the other hand... eclipse everyone else."

"..." Cain merely smiled at Rick's words, taking the last sip of the scotch. What drives people is almost equally universal as it is personal. Greed, routine, comfort, desire, lust, hope... there are only so many fuels for one's life. It's only the matter of how they're wrapped, really. His are wrapped in the front of glamour so that, one day, he may vanish from the sights of everyone and relinquish the glory for the life of simplicity. Ah, tell me sweet little lies, tell me sweet little lies~~ he hummed inwardly, leaning deeper into the chair as Rick returned to the papers. You've been bewitched, Cain. You're a failed artist... and the Tower is a muse from heaven, your last shot at anything real. Well... I can only hope... I don't get devoured like so many of them did...

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