Chapter 347
Return Ho (VII)
Cain was quick to catch up to the news of Earth--and even quicker to realize they were no different than he anticipated. One of the many great exoduses had already occurred, with approximately two-thirds of able-bodied n, won, and children of the world had moved into the Tower. Though a great deal of mankind was still left afloat the blue sphere floating in space, many ghastly sights still existed--ghost cities, once sprawling centers of life, were left abandoned.
Cars lined up their streets, looted buildings with tattered windows framing them, each turning into a newer animal kingdom. Most of the people still on Earth elected to either live within the few preserved blocks around the Towers, or much further away in either the dilapidated suburbs or the wilderness. Communities ford as communities do around the dogmatic idea that the Towers were hell-spewed temptations, or literal gateways to demonic reckoning. There werent many, but neither were they few.
As such, a clear-cut divide existed--and then there were the nomads in-between, who scoured the Towers in the pursuit of dreams, but longing ho left them to stay on Earth for a while. It wasnt much different than Cains experiences in the previous run. It was strange, he mused.
Hed changed the history considerably, altered the reality to the point that this world, this tiline ought to be a completely alien world to his last. And, in so aspects, it certainly was--Conquerors of today were leagues and beyond stronger than the Conquerors of the last tiline at the sa point. But, in many other ways, it was the sa world--perhaps slightly accelerated in the nature of developnt and evolution, but trekking the sa road, following the sa path, climbing the sa mountain.
Perchance, he supposed, the summit itself would be the sa--the thinner herd of Conquerors racing toward the top, with the middling adventurers filling up the boots of the majority, and those left behind on Earth, shaping up a new world in their own, slightly alien image.
None of that mattered, however, as he was pulled out of his daydreaming by the arrival of Emma, Senna, and Lana. Hed promised hed cook them all a nice lunch since its been quite so ti, and the three had taken the opportunity to doll-up for him, as they said.
Ah, its a steak, Senna said. Of course, its always a steak.
Hey, young lady. Ive so machismo, manly stereotypes to uphold.
You really, really, really dont, she smiled and kissed him lightly as her arms wrapped around his back. Youre the furthest thing from manly I can imagine.
Alright, snobbish one; at least Lana agrees, dont you kiddo? Your daddy is a manly man, eh? Eh?
Ew, please stop using daddy, Lana rolled her eyes. She had grown considerably, Cain noted, since he last saw her--in fact, she was almost six-three by now, shooting past even Emma, head-to-head with Cain himself. Youre neither a southerner nor a pimp. Wait, youre not a pimp, are you?!
Youve turned our daughters against , Em, Cain comnted as Lana hugged him as well. The group had settled on the balcony of the apartnt they used to live on back on Earth, overlooking the fairly rundown L.A. Uncool.
Yes, yes, bla it all on , she said, sitting down. Our kids have just grown-up, C. You think they still call mommy and ask stuff? Do you know when was the last ti either asked to go shopping with them? Or to go to a spa or sothing?
Enough with the guilt-tripping, both of you, Senna quickly said, popping open a bottle of wine. So, daddy--
--ew, dont, Cain reeled back.
You asked for it, Senna grinned. Anyway, daddy, tell us about your trip. Mom ntioned sothing about you becoming a God.
...
...
...
Its alright, dont worry, Senna said. Were all equally prepared to sing hymns in your na and do other rituals. As long as theres no animal sacrifice involved!
Well good, Cain nodded. Id love to hear my daughters sing for . Alright, first song is called All Hail Cain, and it goes like this--All Hail Cain, and then repeat it a hundred tis. Go!
Egomania aside, Emma chuckled as Cain slowly began filling up their plates with food. Maybe you can finally tell us sothing about the trio you brought with you? Not many things scare , C, but whenever I look into their eyes... its like Im staring into the depths of so bottomless abyss.
Well, you kinda are, Cain replied. All three are thrice-Awakened Conquerors that could obliterate you all with a fart.
...
...
...
Ah, dont worry--they wont. Im stronger than them, he snickered. They were so awed by that theyve chosen to follow . For now, though, just like theyll be sitting on the sidelines.
Yes, that explains everything, Senna rolled her eyes. Youve shoot well past us, huh? I was expecting it, but damn, it stings.
I fought another King and won and fought so other transcendental beast and won and have unlocked my second Awakening, he said. One that Im yet to take, so no, I dont have any answers yet. So, yes, I did shoot past you. But youll catch up.
Highly doubt it, Emma said. We pretty much only slept and shat besides pushing the Tower ever since you left and yet look at us. Thin paper compared to you.
Well, theres your issue--you cant compare yourselves to , Cain said. Unlike you three, Im a fuckin moron. A few brain cells left, at best. All Im good for is shooting fire and yelling slurs. I need you loves to think for !
What are your plans now? Emma said while Lana and Senna snickered. Well, while you and Senna go off to figure out how to kill Unul, Ill be spoiling Lana.
Really?! Youre gonna let fight bosses?!!
Alright, I guess I wont be spoiling you.
Dammit! Why?! Everyone else is doing it! Lana grunted.
... ah, the sentence, Cain said.
Yep. Shes been at it for a while, Emma echoed the sentint. Rember when you used it first?
I was, what, thirteen? Maybe? Anyway, rember Dirk?
Short, bushy eyebrows?
Thats the one, Cain nodded. Anyway, Dirk wanted to be cool so he told a bunch of cool kids and that he was throwing a party. There was gonna be booze, there was gonna be ladies, there was gonna be all manner of illegal shit, right? Anyway, the party was at 11 at night, so, in order to convince my dad to let go, I used the line.
No way!
Hell ye, he nodded. I was all, but daaaad, everyones doin it. Color surprised when the old man didnt let go drink and dine.
What a prick, Emma chuckled.
What about you? Cain asked while Lana and Senna remained silent. They enjoyed listening on the tales of their parents from the distant past, especially the latter.
Its actually tied to you, Emma replied.
Oh, really?
Yeah. We werent dating yet, though, she said. It was when Mr. Crabhands put us together for that project on the Bronte sisters. Anyway, I went up to my dad and told him Id be doing stuff with you at your place. The prick slapped so hard I went back in ti for a mont, Senna and Lana shuddered and looked at Emma in horror while Cain shook his head.
That the ti you wore a scarf over your face when we t in the park?
Yup. God, I nearly lted on that day. It was so fucking hot. Anyway, when he slapped , I went all silly and said the good ol but everyones doin it!.
Slapped you again?
Thankfully on the sa side, she replied.
Thats horrible! Lana exclaid suddenly. Grandpa... used to beat you?
Us, Emma said, pointing at Cain and herself. He used to beat us. Until, one day, Cain broke his nose. He walked on pins and needles every ti you ca over. On the days when he thought you were angry, he literally locked himself up in his room.
... how are you so casual about it? Senna asked, fire burning within her, as ugly mories of her own youth surged. Shed forgotten, largely because Emma and Cain had fought for her to forget, giving her the ho she always dread of. But the mories were still there and they still stung as painfully as ever. Arent you... angry?
Were... old, Emma said, smiling gently and fondling Sennas hair. When youre old, youre too tired most of the ti to be angry. But, we were. God, we were really angry. But we had each other, no matter what else. Whenever Cain knew I got slapped, he rushed to fight the old bull. He told it was to protect my honor, but I knew it was because, the next day in school, nobody noticed my slightly bruised eye next to his purple face. Eventually, though, grandpa got old and brittle and all the booze he drank finally caught up with him, and Cain got bigger and stronger. And so, it stopped.
... just how many more depressing stories have you got in that bank? Senna asked, sighing, exhausted.
A few, Emma cracked a smile. But, the thing about the depressing stories is that they all get buried under the weight of happiness. Sure, sotis they surge up and hurt still. But then... then you see a face, or hear a voice, or just look outside the window... and the thunder rolls over you, and all that sadness... vanishes.
Hey, uncool, Cain called out. Im supposed to be the parent who monologues!
Oh, Im sorry--go ahead, please, monologue.
... you put on the spot.
No such thing. You love being put on the spot, she said. I genuinely think you live for it.
So, your daddys kind of a God now, Cain switched the topic. So, now, officially you two can be pronounced Angels! Isnt that amazing?!
Ugh...
Jesus, dad...
Well, I wouldnt say Im Jesus, but--
No, no, no buts--dont finish that thought! Lana said. Youre not Jesus--full stop! Thats it! Youre... youre dad! A weird guy with a funny laugh and bad jokes for days!
... alright, ouch.
But I love you for all of it! she quickly added.
Okay, less ouch. Enough, now. Im actually hungry. Lets dig in into my speciality--
--please let it be sothing without a daddy in its na.
--daddys McDelicious steak!
Haaaah... at least, I suppose, you never change. Thats good, right? Yea, lets pretend it is. Its good.
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