Prologue III
The Good, The Bad, The Wizzy
“Reports are coming in. The great upward expansion is finally underway for the Arcanarus Tower. Now with it clear that the tower to floor number 100 is open, along with all of the rewards that being the first to floor 100 will entail, a surge is on. Many people are charging in droves, attempting to be the first one to conquer floor 100. And I know you are likely just as curious as the rest of us as to what the initial floors entail. The word we are hearing is everything is Spirit Powered, that’s right, Spirit Powered. Just as everything in the first few main cities and dungeons was Steam Powered, now we have everything being powered by the use and mastery of Spirit Power. Want to ride a train, you are going to need Spirit Power. Want to duel at the O.K. Corral? Well better learn to charge your weapon with Spirit Power. Yes, people are finding that the farther up you climb, the more alternate means of power slowly begin to fade. Until finally only Spirit Power remains.” The announcer states all of that and then pauses for dramatic effect.
“Also, the first few levels are in, and we can safely say that there are new groups, leagues, and events possible. A few new skills have been noted and flaunted as a must for some of the Dueling Circuits. Some of these new skills are said to include but not limited to: Quick Cast, Pulse Cast, Disrupt Casting, and what is likely to soon be a crowd favorite, Trick Casting.” With the admission of the different new skills, a quick demo is shown of an NPC utilizing each skill as they dismantle the different high level Tower racers.
For Quick Casting, the NPC in question fires off ten spells in succession before the higher-level warrior realizes that their rifle is now useless, and is forced to charge towards their opponent, only to be mowed down by a hail of near infinite shots. Pulse Casting seems to be a combination of high-level attack, with a slight stunning chance upon impact. Disrupt Casting is a straight skill that bypasses all physical defenses and seems to target the warriors right in the middle of their chests, killing the last of the goons. Then finally Trick Shot, is demonstrated by an NPC covering their eyes, aiming left and having a spell curve in mid-air then split apart, to strike a final killing blow to all injured tower climbers.
“That’s right, these are just the skills that we have become aware of, as they are ones that were used to gun down the lead explorers. The spirits on the upper floors were made aware are this group’s shenanigans and came prepared to level the playing field. The new skills, mixed with the fact that everything is now Spirit Powered, means that just because groups were at a higher level before, doesn’t mean they will stand a chance now. The race is on again, especially as our explorer Cass seems to no longer be bound by their obligations to the second floor, and now seems to be determined to make her way up to the 100th floor.”
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The feed ended.
“So momma, how much longer?” Tammie, Jackie’s oldest daughter and mother of two asked.
“Any day now. The loan will go through, then I will begin the integration process and join your Grandmother.” Jackie Cruise said,
“And what of Uncle Rob? I heard he too is trying?” Tammie asked cautiously.
“He is, though he owes so many back taxes and hasn’t properly filed for retirement yet, meaning he can’t join until all of his financial obligations are taken care of.” Jackie said, a slightly happy tone filling her update to her daughter.
“Serves him right. I’m glad the government cut down on that type of dodging.” Tammie said.
“No, it is a bad thing, as it means you can never outrun taxes even in death.” Jackie said, but then leaned back and let out a smile, “though in this particular case, where millions are on the line for you and the boys, I can’t help but be a little smug.”
“Smug? That’s what this is?” Tammie asked, seeing the bright smile crossing Jackie’s face. The first one that she had seen on her mother since grandma passed. Well, no when they get together and watch grandma’s antics during the holidays, they all get a little tipsy and smiley, even the boys.
“Well, I will admit I’m not the best of people, but there are a few headaches I made sure to avoid in life, and fortunately it has paid off.” Jackie said, then with a pause she added, “for all of us.”
“Look ma, you know you don’t have to do this, any of this, right. The boys, me, we will be fine. Also, Grandma really doesn’t need much help out there.”
“That she doesn’t.” Jackie said, chuckling slightly to herself.
“Do you think any of that 10 million will be left when you get there?”
“Not a chance, and poor momma Cass, doing everything in her power to avoid the Broke flaw.”
“I know, you aren’t taking that are you?”
“What? Heck to the no. I get it, I understand why momma took it, but goodness, I don’t think I could live like that. I want the good things, even in the afterlife.”
Silence.
When it was clear that nothing else needed to be said, Tammie began to shift a bit.
“Oh, look at the time. I need to get going.” Jackie said, as if just remembering something pressing.
“Oh, right. Well in that case. Love you mom, and I’ll talk to you again, before you go, right?”
“Right. Love you too.”
“Bye.”
“Bye.”
Fade out.
The three dimensional call faded, leaving Jackie alone in her empty house that was down to just a few mementos. There were a few treasured pictures of her, momma, and her brother and sister. Then of her Tammie and the boys. Then one special one she had made of her mother skydiving as a seven year old elf onto the back of a giant war blimp. Her ears flapping wildly, and the biggest smile cresting her lips that were also flapping ridiculously in the wind. Holding that picture, Jackie looked at it and smiled.
“Soon momma. Very soon.” Jackie said.
Beep.
At that Jackie’s alarm went off, letting her know it was time to once again try her treatments. Sighing inwardly at the fact that she was just about to endure so much pain for the shot at living a few months more, so she can get one more year of benefits transferred, and be just that much better off in her after life, she sighed deeply, then forced herself to choke down her burning pills.
Glug.
Once the pills were down, and her stomach felt like it was on fire, Jackie turned in her seat, clocked into her tele-work and began working her final few weeks before she was allowed to officially retire.
“Soon, very soon.”