The festivities are underway while there is little to no furniture in the home at the moment. It is efficient for the party they are throwing. No furniture to move, no problems to solve. Easy open spaces for drinking and getting wasted. The house is old. Five bedrooms. A kitchen and a living room with a hallway and staircase. 

The downstairs is accessed through the kitchen. That’s not to speak about the hidden passages between the walls from the old time booze running days. It is after all an old house on an old property. Every creaking can be heard even through the noise and celebration.  Drunk to the ears are they who enter unaware. 

Tye is abashed drinking and gulping play beer pong using his bedroom door as the table. They’d told him it was a bad idea. They could've done something more classy but it works. If it works it works. 

So this small party grows bigger and bigger as the night grows longer and finally around 10:30 pm a new arrival enters the Frey. 

Gwen walks into the party house with nobody but herself. She’s looking for the crew. Tye, Locke, Brent and Corin. There must be fifty people in the house at this given moment. Drinking from plastic cups that seemed to have manifested themselves. The kegs are in the kitchen on ice and the liquor on the pantry table. The basement door is closed and the party revels on. 

“Excuse me, I’d like to grab that.” Gwen asks the person before her. A well groomed man. Five foot eleven inches he must be. Blonde hair and in a suit no less. It is purple. And he seems to be merry.

“Oh of course my dear!” He proclaims. As he grabs the bottle of Bacardi and hands it to her. “My name is Charlie, I’m here for the party. ”He states happily.”

“I can see.” Gwen chuckles back to him as she maneuvers her way to the bottle of Coca Cola. To mix herself a simple drink to sip on as she meanders through on her quest to find her retinue.

“I didn’t catch your name?” Charlie protests as she leaves him behind.

“I’m Gwen, Corin’s sister. They live here.” She states. 

“Oh, very cool.” He says with a cheers-Ing expression waving his cup in the air, an invisible clank, and sips. Then he proceeds to follow her as she makes her way through the tidal wave of people.

“You know it’s surprising that there is already a party of this degree. Who are these people who live here?” He asks her as they maneuver down the hallway. Fighting through music and people. 

“It’s my brother's house. He’s come back from out of town with his friends. His friend Tye’s dad owns the lot. He’s from a well off family so as you can see.” She waves to the house as if to say they own this. “They’ve got connections and privileges.”

“I see that, it’s a really nice place. I can’t believe they’d just throw a party like this in it. I would hate to see it get ruined.” He replies keeping in toe.

“Yeah, well, they don’t usually think about tomorrow. They’re more an in the moment bunch. At least that’s how I remember them. Seems things haven’t changed.” She replies. 

“Wait so you haven’t really seen them in a while. Do you really know them?” Charlie replies back. 

“I grew up with them but they went away for four years. Right after graduation. They went on some trip across the globe with Tye’s father. He mentioned something about finding a place to build a hotel or casino or something like that. A place for people to gather.” She says. “But Mr. Lancaster insisted it be in the most remote place conceivable. Away from everyone and everything.”

“Weird. But I kind a get it. So did they find the place?” Charlie inquires

“Yeah, well I think they did but they came back like they hadn’t. Or they won’t really speak on it much. I can’t imagine what happened out there. I’m just trying to make contact with my brother again. Because it’s been so long and he likes to hide away from everyone. I want to make sure he’s okay.” Gwen confides. They’re walking upstairs at this point they’ve surveyed the rooms on the first floor and now are inspecting the rooms on the second. People occupy them drinking and laughing playing games. Standing around. 

“Though I don’t seem to be able to find them at the moment.” She complains as they pull up to Corin’s room on the second floor. Just random people drinking and standing around in the open. 

“I think there was a basement.” Charlie states. 

“Yes, there was. Wasn’t there?” Gwen confirms as they set back towards the kitchen. 

“You say they won’t talk about it. Like they went to war or something? Were they doing illicit things?” Charlie inquires over the music and through the people.

“Mr. Lancaster is known for being unconventional in his dealings. So I would guess not everything was shall we say legal. But that’s gossip ya know?” She replies. “Anyways, they left Money behind so there isn’t much to worry about.”

“Money, they left money behind?” He asks. 

“No, Money is Mr. Lancaster’s first name. They left Money Lancaster behind. He didn’t follow them home.” She replies. 

“He didn’t did he?” A voice calls in as if summoned. She curses to herself for speaking his name so much. She should have known it’d happen.

There before them standing in the living room between the rabble is one Money Lancaster and Joe Joe flanked by a number of unassuming but intimidating men.

“I have to say, I do think I did make it back. Gwen… it’s lovely to see your face again.” He says tilting his fedora. He’s dressed in a business suit and walks with a cane the top of which is in-cased by a golden lion’s head. Gwen knows it’s not just a cane. Tye had shown her that his canes are more than meets the eye. Her skin crawls just seeing the man before her. He grabs her hand and kisses it. “The pleasure is always mine.” He says. His blue eyes, ever looming behind his tinted glasses. 

“It’s good to see you, Mr Lancaster. I was just looking for my brother.” She stammers out. Charlie stand behind him ogling the situation. Dumbfounded as if he’s seen a fairytale character and his retinue just summoned before him. 

“Yes, they’re in the basement. My boy, like his father, was blessed with a brilliant brain and he’s got a bright idea. I’ve heard about it through the grapevine and came to make sure nothing happens to spoil this venture before it can mature.” He states. Joe Joe stands silently beside him. Joe Joe is a strong man. Built like a tank. Silent. Always present. Always watching. The perfect henchman.

“Joe Joe has seen to it that the door stays locked from peering eyes. Like yours. You see. Not everyone is allowed inside. You gotta know the right people.” He winks. 

“And do I know the right people?” Gwen asks.

“Why of course, Gwen. You’re family. Why don’t we go down stairs and see what our progeny has begotten.” He finishes. As always, overly dramatic. His speech is archaic and plastic. A showman. A salesman. Untrustworthy. 

“Can I come too?” Charlie inquires from behind her.

“Why, who are you good chap?” Money replies. His eyes wander off into Charlie and away from Gwen. The mere fact they aren’t upon her feels like a weight has been lifted from her shoulders.

“Well I’m a student here, I’m studying design. I’m an artist.” Charlie says confidently. Happily. 

“Oh you’re an artist. Then I must insist you come too. We need men like you. To keep things going. Keep them interesting. To fill holes that need filling.” He finishes. 

Gwen gets a sinking feeling but can’t refuse Mr Lancaster while surrounded by his goons in his house. Neither can Charlie though he seems oblivious to the danger he’s walking into. 

“You see, men like me, we make the world and then men like you paint it. Add the color and enjoyment. Without artists the world is bland.” Money says aloud.

“Oh yeah, what would the world be without art and happiness? Intrigue and interesting things ya know? 

“Colors make a spectrum. That’s what I always say.” Charlie replies

“Indeed you do. Always eh? I might have a project I could use a good artist on. I’ve companies I run and things that must be done. I’m always looking for a new perspective.” Money finishes as they reach the basement door. Joe Joe stands before a man who was there before but wasn’t standing out. Now it’s obvious to Gwen he was standing in front of the door. Blocking it from the people in the party. 

“Let’s see what’s going on in there shall we?” Money states as Joe Joe produces keys and unlocks said door. The doorknob is brand new as are the keys. Just installed maybe as the party was going.  Typical shenanigans from one Money Lancaster. 

“You see my boy ran into your troubles earlier today and thus into Forbes. Forbes is a fighter you know. He’s going to be a champion I’m sure of it.” Money states 

“How do you know?” Charlie interjects. Money flinches at being cut off but recovers quickly.

“Because I have an eye for these things” he says as he pulls at his glasses revealing his deep blue eyes. Gwen can feel the pull of them and she looks away instinctively. She knows the Lancaster’s have a strange thing in their eyes. Magic isn’t real but maybe those eyes were.

“Anyway, he thought he’d make a dojo out of the basement to accommodate our resident world champion fighter. One of your fellow students. A Mr Locke Clovis. The undefeated champion of the martial arts.”

“I’ve never heard of him. Really? Someone like that goes here?!” Charlie is amazed he chases money down the stairs. They’re enclosed but you can hear people cheering and the sound of fighting through the hallways door. Cement ground. A humming sound. Along with the smell of smoke, sweat, ashe, and cigar. The hollering muffled over the sound around them, the lively party above them.

“Oh no, you don’t know these sorts of people unless you’re in the know. They don’t seek fame and fortune like you and me. They seek the pinnacle of their profession. Locke traveled with me on my journey around this globe and I watched him successfully defeat every one he challenged and was challenged by in martial combat. He is the best.” Money finishes as he reaches the bottom step and stops. The train behind him stops at once as well and Gwen and Charlie are surrounded by Joe Joe and his goons. The top door shuts and locks behind them.

“You see, it’s important to allow challengers to come and beat him because that’s the custom he’s bought into. So in order to honor the achievements of our young champion we’ve decided to fully fund an official ring in this basement officiated by a licensed state official to oversee the bouts as they happen. Document the results and relay the information to all the others who need to know.”

“You’re saying you set up a gambling ring then Mr Money Lancaster? A fight club gambling ring in my brother’s basement? On campus?” Gwen states beside herself.

“Thus the need to know. And now that you know you need to know that nobody else needs to know. Do you understand me?” He states as Gwen looks to Charlie who only now begins to understand the situation he’s walked into. Surrounded by goons and before Mr money Lancaster. 

“You’re putting your child out there as meat to be sold for fights to make a little off for yourself. That’s so fucking low. Even for you.” Gwen spits at him. 

“My dear girl, he wanted this. I just made it official and something that’ll actually last without getting them into trouble because nobody is gonna lose their lips with me and my organization here to keep them shut. Do you understand me?” Money finished. Poking the tip of his cane at the center of Gwen’s chest. Poking her in rhythm to his last words. 

“I get it.” She says. 

“And you? Artist? Get the picture?” Money shifts his eyes to the now blue Charlie. 

Charlie gulps. “Yes, I understand. Completely Mr Lancaster. Money. Sir.”

“Good, now then. It’s around the corner I think there are four matches and we are in time for match three. The boy won the first. Of course he did, Locke won the second, and now Forbes should be winning the third.” There is a crowd hollering, cheering and subsiding as he says this around the corner. Joe Joe whispers something into Money’s ear. “Ah yes, definitely Forbes has won the third. Perfect. Everyone will be happy to hear it.” 

“You’re an animal.” Gwen can’t help herself. 

Money laughs at her. “I’ve been called worse and I’ll let it slide because I know you’re failing to see the bigger picture. So why don’t you run off and find Corin because his match is next and I expect only the best from our boys. Let him know that.”

“Is this what you were doing abroad? Making them fight for money to fund your expedition into nowhere?! And for what? You didn’t come back with anything. Everyone says you lost it all?!” Gwen yells at him. 

“I lost nothing! I found what I was looking for and it’s been made safe. You should be grateful and that’s all I am willing to say about it. Just know that what they did will never be known and appreciated by anyone more than me. They are doing what they love and I am enabling them to do it. Don’t be mad at me for giving them the life and experiences that they desire.” 

“Common Charlie, let’s find Corin.” Gwen states as she shoves her way through money Lancaster and Joe Joe pulling the blue faced Charlie behind her.

“You know, I think I’m gonna be sick.” Charley gulps as they shuffle down the basement corridor. Through the door were all the racket hides behind. 

Gwen collects herself. Fingers clutching at the doorknob. 

“Welcome to my life. I’m sorry you had to be here.” She pulls it open and it reveals a ring and people and Forbes, and his friends, Tye, and Locke, and Corin, and Brent. They're all just sitting around it. By each other with drinks in hand laughing. Gwen runs up to Corin and hugs him. Then slaps him over the head.

“You idiot, he has you again.” She complains.

“Yeah, well, it could be worse. I don’t think you should be here right now Gwen. I’m about to go fight this guy. I don’t want you to have to watch.” Corin replies. 

Tye and Locke sit beside him. They were happy moments before cheering with Forbes and his crew but the temperature has plummeted with her arrival. 

“Yeah Gwen, uh, this isn’t really a place for ladies ya know?” Tye says out loud. Gwen shoots him daggers and he recoils. She can see he’s got a bruise on his ribs but otherwise he’s fine. Forbes is beside him, he looks pristine. Untouched. Unphased. He doesn’t like seeing her though.

“You know you are allowed to dodge in fights.” Forbes quips noticing Tye’s bruise as well. Drawn to it by Gwen’s focus. 

“You see, that’s what’s wrong with you guys. You gotta take some hits sometimes. In order to win. To assert your dominance.” Tye replies. 

“Yeah, right. Get whooped to show how tough I am. Sounds like a long career.” Forbes mocks. Everyone laughs. 

“Yeah, well you should've fought me first thing tonight. I know you’re scared. You got lucky my dad came and set up this whole charade.” Tye begins. 

“Dude, I could take you anytime and anywhere. You're lucky your dad came in and saved your ass.” Forbes replies back. “I shouldn’t even have done this. I’ve got an actual fight next month. I shouldn’t be doing this sort of thing. Don’t tell nobody I was here.” 

“Yeah you remember that. Cuz we’ll fight soon and I’ma beat your ass. I don’t need no stinking ref to oversee things or a ring. My dad is obnoxious and invasive. Don’t hold that against me.” Tye replies back. 

“Hey man, I made bank tonight on this fight. Real easy gamble when betting on me. I think I’ll buy all my books and pay rent for this semester. Next fight I’ll buy myself something else that’s nice. I’m not gonna complain about a good thing. I’m just saying you’re lucky. Your date with reality was pushed back. It’ll come. I’ll be there. I’m not afraid of you.” Forbes finishes.

They both smile at each other. The testosterone is vomit inducing. Gwen can’t stand it. She turns to Corin who’s finishing up his preparations before this next fight. His opponent is one of the large goons Guarding Money. The three other opponents were other large goons of similar background. Money had sent his hired help to be the initial cards for the fight. All of them had failed to beat Locke, Tye and Forbes. 

Now it was Corin’s turn to go for the sweep. The last guy seemed to understand the situation. He was very intent on not losing to her brother. He was in his mid thirties. Broader and bigger and in a black suit pants. His overcoat was taken off and his button down shirt removed to reveal his T-shirt underneath. His fists were as big as Gwen’s head and his blond ponytail trailed down his back. Weathered and firm. He seemed determined. 

“This should be good.” Money chips in sitting himself by the ring motioning the ref to begin the proceedings. 

Gwen is beside herself. “Corin is supposed to fight that?” She asks the bunch. They all just smirk with utter confidence. Even Forbes seems unmoved by the thought.

“Why not? He’s one of us.” Forbes replies to her nonchalantly. “He better win or I’ll be really embarrassed.”

“I’m the undefeated martial arts champion of the world Gwen.” Locke states in an attempt to sooth her fears. “I wouldn’t call Corin my pupil but I wouldn’t doubt him either.”

Brent grumbles an affirmative at Gwen. Nodding his head to watch the match. 

The two come together with the ref touching their gloves. He goes through the motions and says his words to the fighters and money Lancaster rings the bell. 

Money’s man shoots in order to use his mass to throw Corin off balance. A bull rushing into a person. Gwen can’t help but close her eyes when she hears cheers and she opens them and the bull has charged straight out of the ring. Side step upper cut by Corin in less than two heart beats. He seems mostly unphased but defeated nonetheless. The ref in the ring is as dumbfounded as he is. Calling the match.  The quickest one yet. 

Money laughs out loud. “Spectacular. Spec. Fucking. Tackular. Did you get that on the camera guys?” 

There are cameras? People are watching this right now?

Money is hooting and hollering. As the guard collects himself with what dignity remains and Corin walks back to the crew. 

“Yeah, so I just stepped aside and let him carry himself over. I might have leaned on the ropes a little. Woops.” Corin winks at Gwen. They’re all laughing about it. 

“You see Gwen. A fight is more than just a fight. There are tactics involved.” Locke interjects knowingly. “For example that side of the ring hasn’t been set up as well as the rest and we noticed in the last match. So when that big guy decided to come lumbering in Corin knew just what to do. Cuz I would have done it too.” He holds his glasses to his face and nods knowingly. “You see the rules are if you leave the ring you lose. Instantly. Disqualified.”

“You know you really fucked me there Corin with that little trick.” Money chides in. Apparently I was able to slip away from his act. “They’re gonna think I threw the fight cuz of that. You gotta fight people or there isn’t any money and I can’t finance things properly. You understand?”

“I’m sorry Mr. Lancaster I hit him and he flew over the ropes. I don't know what happened.” Corin replies. 

“Yeah right, I know you kids. I know you notice things and this is one of those things. Don’t do it again. Fight properly or ima put you up against a lion.”

“We don’t fight animals, this isn't Roman times dude.” Tye cuts in.

“Oh yeah, I’ll show you Roman times you pull another stunt like that again. Now let me smile for these cameras and salvage what I can. Cuz there is a lot of money to be made in this and I won’t let you idiots ruin a good thing.”

“Thank you Mr. Lancaster.” Tye, Locke and Corin reply in unison. As if they’ve said it a million times. Money Lancaster rolls his eyes and returns to his activities.

Who are these people? This circus. It’s back in town. 

“The matches are settled, it's time for drinking!” Money calls out as he prances around the ring. Collecting invisible money no doubt in his mind.

“You cheated?” She asks. They shrug. 

“I mean, not really. I didn’t really wanna be in this fight. I was kinda lampooned into it. So yeah whatever, I used my surroundings. Not exactly the spirit but I won so oh well.” Corin replies. “ What did you want to watch me beat the crap out of him? Cuz I would have. His footwork was atrocious. I just saved him the time. What's an instant humiliation to a prolonged one?”

“A win is a win!” Money espouses in the middle of the ring for the cameras hidden throughout the room. “Technicalities are the details and I am all about that. Anyway, let’s party! This is going to be so much fun! Four three great matches and a surprise finish. Who could have guessed it right? Exciting!” 

Gwen feels sick to her stomach. This isn’t her brother she knew from before. Something happened. They’ve changed. 

From here the night rambles on as everyone takes shots and celebrates the day. What was supposed to be an escape from Mr Lancaster has become a new ordeal but at least it seems they’ll be making money from it. Better than other times abroad. Gwen can only imagine as they complain about a myriad of things she’ll never remember. 

That’s when it happens. As the party finishes as one Corin Orion stumbles upon a crevice in the wall between the washing machine and drier. In a drunken stupor and never going to remember he pushes at it and it slides. Out falls a pendant. Dusty and old. Reaching out he touches it and the spirit of a child screams at him. Screams out into the world once more. Corin blindly flails away. Runs away from the basement and locks it shut behind him. Back to the party heart beating but really why? I’ve had way too much to drink I think… 

However that scream made a quake and that quake was made the ripple seen by a young summoner on her last chance  to save her people in a far off and away land…

Obstacle 36. Uncle Sam