God's Tower System

A few days passed as Jackson awaited the response from The Order of the Hidden Mask before it arrived in the form of another letter at the inn's front desk.

"Mr. Seraphin, we found your handiwork. Good work, you can expect another group is on their way here now, but according to our intel, you were able to take him out before he sent an update to The Syndicate. Come to the Jolly Delight Diner; ask for The Hidden Special. -The Voice of the Matron."

He grinned, destroying the note as he asked the receptionist where the restaurant was located and quickly traversed the streets toward it. Thankfully, it was one of the city's most popular spots as he easily arrived outside the large two-storied diner. It was built along the raised wall, separating itself for its unique design.

He entered through the covered patio, walking past the tables on the first floor, climbing the stairs as he entered the building, and approaching the hostess stand.

"Good morning, sir! Welcome to The Jolly Delight!" She greeted him politely with a smile, "Would you like a seat at our bar, booth inside, or table on the patio?"

"Good morning! Actually, I'm here for The Hidden Special..." Jackson replied, smiling back as he slipped his hands into his pants pockets.

"I see!" She said, shocked, before bowing politely, "Please, esteemed guest, follow me!"

He nodded as she led him into the restaurant proper, guiding him through the boots to a door leading into a private room and bowing as he entered, and she closed the door behind him.

The room was dimly lit, pale blue sconces lining the room. The walls were lined with a plush, thick sofa as it wrapped around the room, a large round table in the center.

"Greetings, Mr. Seraphin." A young man with shaggy silver hair and eyes said, standing as he extended his hand. He wore all-black clothing, a tank top tightly covering his muscular chest, tucked into his cargo pants, and tucked into his combat boots.

His defined arms were covered in tattoos as Jackson took his hand and shook it firmly, "Nice to actually see you this time... Sorry I didn't quite catch your name."

"You can call me Udrio. The Voice sends their apologies, something came up, and they were unable to attend." He smirked, motioning to take a seat, which he did, "We won't have much time until The Syndicate comes investigating. You want to get rid of them? We're listening..."

"The Dingo and Jackal have an interest in me. I have useful dirt on The Syndicate that I am willing to trade for information." Jackson explained, "I've hit a roadblock in my training and can't progress further."

Udrio nodded before turning his head as he nodded a few additional times before standing, "Please wait here. The Voice will meet with you now."

Jackson nodded as he left the room, and after waiting a moment, the door opened as an older woman entered and sat across from him. She had thick brown hair and eyes, her petite frame covered by a long black trench coat, partially revealing a brown crop top and jeans, concealing black heeled boots.

"Good morning, Jackson." She said with a small smile, tilting her head, "My, you've grown up to become quite the handsome young man. You look like you're eating well. You've grown powerful and surrounded yourself with quite the potential group of ladies there. I'm glad, you'll need all the strength and friends you can get."

"Mom..?" His eyes widened, a lump jumping up his throat as his heart began racing. She sighed and nodded, reaching into her coat and pulling out a black book, bound in gold frames and locked tight, placing it on the table.

"I'm sorry, but that isn't some tear-jerking, heartfelt reunion..." She replied, "How is Shayla doing, by the way?"

"What are you doing here??" He shouted, standing up and slamming his hands against the table.

"I'm The Voice inside The Order of the Hidden Mask." She replied calmly, "I was one of The Hands for an Eye when I first met your father; after we had you, he was betrayed by his best friend and partner.

I couldn't ignore my responsibilities in The Order any longer, and our plan all along was for Shayla to raise and train you until you were nineteen and could enter The Tower and join The Legion..."

"..." Jackson sighed, hanging his head and shaking it as he explained what happened over the last decade.

"God dammit!" She shouted, slamming her fist against the table, "Shayla was supposed to protect you! Not let you rot inside a fucking orphanage! What about The Legion? Have you not joined them?"

He shook his head, "No. I'm not sure what it is, but they have a connection to The Syndicate and I didn't like it. Now, both The Syndicate and Legion are after me; that's why I was looking for my own network to ally with."

"You're not allied with any guilds according to our intel; how did you reach the tenth floor without any assistance from The Legion..?" Xyella asked, staring at her son bewildered as he began explaining the events that led up until now.

"I see..." She replied, staring down at the book in front of her for a long time before sighing and sliding it across the table, "This book was left in my care along with the two others from your father before he disappeared. It was the only Skillbook he told me not to leave with Shayla."

Jackson leaned forward, grabbing the skillbook and running his fingers across its intricately designed cover, inspecting the golden clasped locked tightly, "Where's the key?"

"There is no key. Your father said it would only unlock for you; I don't know anything else other than it's the solution to your current dilemma." His mother explained, reaching inside her coat and pulling out a piece of paper, sliding it toward him as well, before standing to leave, "This is Udrio's MD number; The Order will ally with you. Contact him if you need anything."

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