Edited with more content. Hope you enjoy~
BOOK XI: Justice
The Rise and Fall
The tumultuous roar of the crowd above dulled any other noise. The beast before me bobbed its long head carefully just above the sand, as it draws closer, inhaling the hot air with each small step.
…I'm tired. All of this running has made my leg and shin muscles ache, and I can practically feel the dirt crawling under my skin. I search for a plan, as my first plan had failed miserably, and reach out for the golden spear on the ground at the far right of me.
Even though my heart is pounding, I feel another unfamiliar pulse surging through my body and I freeze.
"What is she doing? Run, you fool!" Julian tries to hide the urgency in his voice as he clenches the bars in front of him.
Muriel is holding his breath, and he can't seem to cast his wide eyes away as the monster inches closer towards her.
Asra is the most strained, with his eyes fluttering to hold the moisture in. He looks for some sort of spell he could do to protect her, maybe propel a charm or barrier in her direction. As he throws his arm out, the pentagram etched in the ground of the arena glows a faint purple in little sparks, and he draws his burning fingers back in pain.
"If only I had told her sooner…" Asra was staring at the ground in agony.
"Told her what?" Julian overheard him. "Asra-" he grabbed the man's shoulders so he would be facing him. "-told her what?"
…I'm remembering something. I had a weapon once, but it lacked any gold. In fact, it was a shimmering rock, as sharp as any sword held by any warrior in the land.
With the pentagram on the ground, I know I cannot summon it now, but the flash in my memory still brings me hope. I grab the spear and I look back up at the beast's gaping jaws and step back quietly, with more calculation in my steps. With all the noise, I can imagine the cunning beast is referring to my smell in order to catch me, so I have one more option.
I am reluctant for a moment when the tip of the spear hangs over my left palm, which is just enough time for the beast to take action. The blind Hekra is moving faster now- it springs its heavy body at me with full force, and I slice my hand as I tumble backwards against the wall. I smear the blood on the wall and scramble to the left, just barely slipping out of its way as it crashes into the wall.
The people in the stands above scream in furious terror, and I topple into the ground as crumbles of the stone from the wall come crashing onto my form. Part of me wants to stay down, tired and bruised, but I groan as I lift myself up again, swiping the sand from my eyes so I can catch view of the blind Hekra as it is just moving away from the wall, preparing to turn in my direction to strike again.
The blood painted across my hand is sticky with drops of sand all meshed into it, and I know I'll need more blood than this for my plan to work. Despite the burning sensation in my lungs, I sprint as quickly as I can in pathetic leaps and hops as I race to the other end of the coliseum. I catch my breath as I lean against the wall, spotting that creature coming this way. The blind Hekra begins to run too, almost like a slithering snake it crawls ever so smoothly, tracking my footprints in the sand. It makes nasty hissing noise and a sharp outcry as it lunges forward.
I hold the air in my lungs as my head starts to spin even before I slice my wrist, and when I do, the pain only feels like a sharp paper cut, then I feel a shocking coolness that spreads through my mind and body, most likely from shock when the blood comes pumping out from the wound like a spill. I manage to smear the blood on the wall again, this time it drips down in thin droplets like crimson paint or dye, and I peer over to see the Hekra cease its pacing and sniff the air again, desperately pin-pointing the iron smell that has surely filled its senses by now. I walk backwards again, carefully examining the beast as it races with an outcry towards the wall again. The people above in the stands have already started standing up and trampling over each other in a panic to flee as the Hekra crashes into the wall, desperately clawing and gnawing on the red as the walls crashes in on it.
While the beast is ravaging the stones in search of flesh to tear, I have summoned what energy I have left to leap up into the air, my shadow casting over its scaly back, and I cry out in anguish and exhaustion as the spear goes readily into the top of its head. The Hekra makes a small yelping noise, like a poor pup, and it begins to wiggle and writhe uncontrollably as I land on its back and try to gain balance, entrapping my place on it as if I were sitting on a horse. The Hekra spins around violently and I go flying forward and roll into the ground, shoulder first into the surface as I do. The read trails of blood melt into the golden sand in a trail behind me until my rolling slows to a halt.
I can hear the Hekra collapse with a loud thud, groaning one final stem of air as it does.
I'm barely conscious as shadows from the figures that raced over to me begin to cry out my name. I don't know if I was hoping for help after my little plan, or if maybe I had intended to sacrifice myself, but at least they are safe. Someone cradles my head, and the motion swims me in and out of consciousness until everything finally goes black.
Book I: The Magician
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I am a student of the magical arts. My master is Asra, the fortuneteller. I know nothing of his past.
As for the present, I have my own secrets…
I find the place I want to have lunch at. Its just shy outside of our neighborhood, closer to the Flooded District. Down a path that is a bit rowdier than the quaint market strip I live near; The Clod Tavern:
I step in, and a few men and woman playing cards raise their heavy drinks. They make a cheerful wail to me, as if an old friend has just walked in. I nod my head and wave my hand towards them.
"Hello, everyone."
"Well, well, well…" I step towards the bartender woman as she observes me up and down, her thick dark eyebrows crease in expectation.
"Magic girl, I haven't seen your lovely face 'round here in a while!"
"I admit, I've been busy with the shop. It's been too quaint, though. My master is leaving again for another journey tonight so I figured I'd get out before I deal with it again."
"Lovely! What would you like?"
"Some kind of pale ale will do. I'd like to have lunch as well."
"I'll throw in the special for you… if you can help me with somethin'."
I lean in as the bartender lowers her voice.
"Got a guard, keeps comin' in here and out back, trying to buy materials from the people here for cheaper than their bargains can handle."
"And?"
"They're going broke, miss. He keeps threatening them with his authority, and they're given no choice. Maybe you could help out, like you did before?"
My lips are in a tight line. It seems the other tables have stirred to quiet in expectation of our supposedly private conversation. I sit up straight on the stool.
"I'll see what I can do."
"No need to be so modest! I know you got it, magic girl!" She slaps her hand on the oak bar table and slides me a cool mahogany ale to drink. A few sips in, and the guard comes marching into the small establishment.
"A dark cinder with an olive." He says, sitting a chair away from me. I'm still as he gulps the drink down. His musty aura is clearly baleful. He wipes the drink from his lip using the back of his spotty hand, and he turns to me.
"Ohhh, I know you!" He faces me more, now. "You're the witch's little—"
"I'm sorry, do you need something from me?" My eyes meet his, and he his smirks at the venom in my voice.
"Nah, sorry." He pushes back on the stool and rises with his cup. The chair falls behind him but he doesn't pick it up, and he saunters towards the back booths.
"McKalister!" He demands. I weary older man in scruffy robes releases himself from the card game on the other side of the room. Things are quieter again. The bartender shakes her head as she reaches behind the bar for something, averting her eyes from the scene.
Sitting at one of the booths, I can mildly hear their conversation.
"You got more straps, right?...Oh… heh…heh…"
I close my eyes and focus on the unpleasant aura that had been next to me before, and abruptly I can hear them much more explicitly, like echoing in my ears.
"…Yes, I have more, but… I'm afraid I can't go any lower than that." The older man speaks carefully.
"Affirmative, old chap!" The guard is talking to him real friendly like, as if they are friends. "So what's say you? They're already 20 doubloons, so I'll dive it to, what, 20 percent off of that?"
"20 percent? I'm not sure how much that would be…"
"Of course you don't, chap! It would be 14 of course!"
"Oh, right…"
"So, what's say you-"
"16." I say loudly without turning around. I cut off my magic.
The room is impossibly still.
"Aye?" The guard cranes his neck around to me, and I swivel my body around on the chair to lean my arm against the back of it.
"Sorry to interrupt. You said 20 percent was 14. Its 16."
He blinks a few times, astounded, and rises from his seat, sauntering over to me in a slow, threatening stance.
"What are you? Some kind of genius?"
The question makes me want to laugh, because this should be common knowledge. But, most people in this city are illiterate, and this guard must know it.
"No, I'm just simply pointing out that you—"
"You're right, you were interrupting and its none of your damn business, witch's—"
"Actually it would be 16 doubloons that you owe him, not 14, and if you were to say otherwise, then you must be trying to swindle this poor man and his business, correct?"
"No, I know what I said. I owe him 14 for 20 percent off."
"Okay, well…. 20 percent is 20 over 100 as a fraction, so that can be reduced to one fifth. If you did one fifth of twenty by multiplication, it would be 4. Take 4 doubloons off the 20 doubloons, and that is 16, not 14, I'm afraid."
I've said so much accurate nonsense, there's no way anyone would try to argue. The guard is stiff for a moment as his fists tighten on either side.
"McKalister, let's go. Now."
The guard escorts the man by the upper arm out the bar and back outside to the back alley. I sigh, and finish my drink with gusto before I leave a coin for the bartender and rush out after them.
In the alley, the guard has his arm around the man before he turns to look at me again, with his hand firmly on his sword.
"You need to go, or be cut down. This doesn't concern you, bi—"
I've got his wrist. He yells in surprise at the painful sensation, and I twist it behind his back and he crouches over. The other man steps back and watches with precarious eyes.
"Stop trying to swindle people." I say sternly. He grunts in anger and pushes back, slamming me against the wall behind me. I release his arm to catch my balance, and he turns to face me, punching me in the arm as I block him from hitting my face. One more fast swing, and he's gone around my lower arm blocking and landed his fist into my lip. I fall to the side and catch myself, palms on the ground. I look forward and swing my feet into his legs and he drops subsided flat on the muddy dirt with a loud thud. I'm up and I kick him in the chin before he groans from dizziness and surrender.
I straighten up and pull on my clothes and hair, breath ragged, as I'm trying to contemplate what to do next.
"That wasn't very nice." I'm taunting him, and I probably shouldn't be. "Look, you really shouldn't be harassing all these good vendors in Vesuvia. I know you're a guard and you probably think you are entitled to act this way, but it should stop."
"Bitch! You've assaulted an officer! You will be hanged for this!"
"Maybe, but… I don't think very many people are going to believe that a fortuneteller beat up a guard. Besides, if I told Countess Nadia of this, you'd be the one in trouble."
"What-?"
"Yeah, Nadia and me go way back! She's my girl, and you, well… you're just a guard whose assaulted me and has been preying on these good people."
I can see his eyes spinning around in bewilderment, trying to strategize a plan. I shake my head and sigh.
"Look man, I respect what you do, protecting this city and all. So, let's make a deal: I won't tell my girl Nadia about this little scheme you've been doing here if you stop. Does that sound fair?"
I raise my hand to him, but he does not take it. He stands on his own with a gruff and dusts the soil from him before giving me a cold stare.
"Whore. Fine."
"Thank you! Oh, but just in case…" I blow some powder from my bag on him, and he staggers back.
"What the-?" He starts coughing and wafting the mist from his features. When the smoke is cleared, he blinks at me dementedly.
"Who are you?" He demands.
"Ah, just a no good fortuneteller. You remember you made a deal with someone though, right?"
He pauses. "…Yeah. I remember."
"Good! Just don't break your end and leave these people alone. Okay?"
"Right…"
He pulls down on his uniform before turning and leaving. When we can no longer hear his footsteps, the vendor, McKalister, rushes over to me.
"Thank you, Magician. How did you make him forget you so easily?"
"I just met him, and we have no connections. It's a simple spell for someone to forget the person, not their memories. I figured I might need it so I stewed it up in my bag back in the bar."
"That's wonderful! And you used it for me! I don't know how to thank you…"
I stand straight with one fist on my hip, and the other on his shoulder. "Oh, citizen, your gratitude is thanks enough."
…its corny, and I think I've heard it from a play or parody from somewhere, I just had to use it.
"Oh, but do you really know the Countess?"
"Ha, no way do I know someone important like that! But that was good, right? He totally believed me!"
We enter the Clod Tavern again. When its just McKalister and I, the group in the room starts clapping, and he goes back to join his comrades at their table and I go to the bar. The grin on the bartender's face ushers a warm feeling into my bones, priding me form my earlier actions.
"That's my magic girl! Here." She slides a plate to me with a vibrant sandwich on top and toasted chips on the side of it.
"The special. Our Moldy Sandwich."
"Ah."
"It tastes better than it sounds. No mold, either. Go on!"
My stomach is growling. I know I had a big breakfast, but devouring food comes naturally to me. My eyes nearly roll all the way into their sockets as I savor the peppery taste and juicy medley of vegetables between the toasted dough.
"Right? It's the best, glad you like it."
"You spoil me."
She smirks until she looks back at me, squinting her eyes towards my chin where the guard had punched me.
"Huh. Wish I could have seen the fight go down this time!"
"Oh yeah. That gave me a headache. I tap my index into the bruise, and it is definitely sore.
"Is Asra gonna be okay with you fighting like this?"
I don't answer yet. I can't. A blue glow surges to my fingers, and I press the coolness of it onto my face. It's only swollen, this is an easy heal. The bartender keeps her palms on the table as she watches in awe until the bruise is gone and the swelling has gone down. I wipe the blood spot from my lip as the magic fades away.
"He doesn't need to know. We barely go out of our neighborhood, let alone take trips to dark alleys and start fights."
"You don't usually start them, though." She nods her chin to me with approval. "You're one of the good ones, magic girl."
I'm not sure what she's implying, but I don't press the subject further; a lot of people don't understand magic or believe in it even when they see it. I can imagine they would find it menacing and scary in their ignorance.
For the most part, though, since Asra and I have been using our magic and fortune telling with good intentions, it hasn't spoiled our reputation yet. In fact, it built the shop we are working in today.
The sun is going down. Once I've depleted my plate of any food, I ship out the tavern and head back towards home.
Yes, home sweet home.
I don't mind lingering on the streets, but this place is dear to my heart. Asra and I built it up together, a safe haven after a brutal day. I try not to wander too far from it.
When I open the oak door, Asra is leaned over in one of the chairs playing with his sandal, and he looks up at me with an abundance of pleasure.
"You're home."
His smiling is warming, but I see his heavy bag packed on the lounge chair beside him.
After a few moments, I notice the sun;s light fade away outside. I draw the curtains shut as the day draws to an end.
"I'll miss you." Asra purses his lips ever so slightly as he looks at me from across the shop's counter.
Sometimes I wonder if he means what he says. He's going again, after all, without me.
It's the dead of a moonless night. The right time for beginning a journey, according to him.
"Here… take this. For you to play around with while I'm gone. My tarot deck." He slides the cards over to me. I blink at them and my furrow my brow to look at him with my hands on my hips.
"You think I want your creepy deck?" I challenge. He can laugh at me all he wants. When those cards are nearby, my hair stands on end.
"Scared of them, still? You're really something." He looks at me with amusement, his grin never fading. "I'll hide the cards, if you wish. But first… humor me. Read my fortune. Just for fun. This isn't a test. I promise."
So it's a test, then. Despite my reservations, he pulls back the curtain that leads to the backroom.
"After you." He watches me carefully as I stroll passed him with confident strides and sit at the round table in the small space across from him.
"It's been a while since we've practiced." He says aloud.
"True." I tap my chin. "Is it because you're always gone? Or maybe its because I'm so awesome at this and I've perfected it?"
Often, the teasing satiates him, but this time, his smile fades just slightly.
"Have you now? You really are gifted. I shouldn't have expected any less. Someday you'll find a real teacher who could maybe truly perfect your skills."
"Oh come on, I didn't mean it like that." I roll my eyes at him, a notion he's all too familiar with.
"Well, I'm here now. Let's see how powerful you've become."
He's always going on about how "powerful" and "gifted" I am…
Asra's eyes shift around the room. "Oh?"
Something brushes along my ankle, smooth and cool.
His smile returns. "We're not alone."
This serpent is Faust, Asra's familiar. She's pleased to see me, I think. I'm not fond of snakes, but I've seen the gentle spirit of Faust long enough to appreciate her presence. I think she slithers by me unannounced to tease me in a way.
I watch as the pearly white scales flash from the lantern above our heads, as she wiggles around Asra's lean form and nuzzles onto his shoulder.
"If we're all here… let's begin." He rubs under the serpents chin as I shuffle the deck. His gaze follows the cards as they slip through my fingers.
I place three cards on the table before us, and I scan my palm over each one of them, until I flip one over a few moments later. The cascading gown and feathers of the owl-like beauty meets our eyes, and my mind stirs.
"…The High Priestess."
Asra leans in close, expectantly. "And, what is she telling you? Is she speaking to you now?"
When the cards speak to me, it isn't in any human tongue. Nonetheless, when my mind is clear, the answer comes to me.
"You've forsaken her." I say warily.
"I have?" He raises his brow.
"Yes. You've pushed her away, and buried her voice. She calls out to you, but you won't listen. Master, if you don't listen to her… "
For a moment, I hope he doesn't think I'm referring to myself when it comes to him.
A sharp knocking startles all three of us. A customer?
"Did you forget to put out the lantern again?"
"Hey, the sun was still up when I got home!"
" Just as well. I can't stay any longer." His focus is on the back door, now, and I follow his movement as he rises out of his seat, picking up the Tarot cards as he does. He follows out into the front of the shop again and begins donning his scarf, hat and extra pouches for the trip. When he has fastened everything around him, he looks at me. I can't see his lips, but his eyes are sparkling and I decide to look away.
"Well then… take care of yourself."
He still has something to say, but he won't say it. I'm annoyed by this, but I won't tell him that. He will likely brush it off and leave anyway like he always does.
"Until we meet again."
I nod with a hoax smile.
"Yep. See you."
He parts the curtains soundlessly and slips out the back door. And just like that, he's gone again.
.
.
.
.
.
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~…~
Book II: The High Priestess
.
.
.
Really, though; a customer? At this hour? An impatient one, by the sound of it.
I open the door.
The customer has a cloak on her face. "Forgive me for the hour, but…"
The figure steps inside and begins to unwind the shawl from their neck.
"…I will not suffer another sleepless night. Please. You must read the cards for me."
The elegant cloth slips away, revealing the visitor's face. At the sight of her, my heart leaps into my throat, as I recognize the elegant and slender woman before me.
"It has to be you." She says sternly.
The Countess!
Her dress is adorned with golden lace and white silk. Her long magenta locks stretched almost as long and lovely as her gown, and her scarlet gaze was intense enough to change the aura of the room immediately.
"Uh, You've come to the wrong place!" I have never met the Countess in person, but she is certainly far more fair and substantial then I was expecting. And here she was, in our shop.
"Pardon?" She tries to clarify. I'm all fumbled. What if she is here because of that lie I told the guard from earlier? About knowing her and us being pals? No, she would have sent more to collect me and arrest me, not shown up herself.
"I-I- mean, right! You've come to the right place!"
"So I'm told." She says lowly. "Your reputation precedes you. Beggars and nobles alike… The people of this city whisper your name in wonder. Though in my dream you were… different. No matter. I come with a proposal."
"P-proposal?"
"Not very talkative, are you? Nervous, perhaps? You needn't be. I require very little of you. Be my guest at the palace for a short while. You will be afforded every luxury, of course. It is as my dreams foretold. I ask only that you bring your skill… and the arcana."
I blink. "I am at a loss, Countess."
She gives me a patient look. "The arcana. The cards. You haven't heard their true name? You read them well, but I wonder if you truly know them. Show me, magician. I wish to judge with my own eyes. These rumored talents of yours."
Just like that, a sweat breaks out along my brow. I had hoped she wouldn't ask. What now? Asra took the cards from me before he left!
I snort out a weak chuckle.
"Uh, I don't know where the deck is, right now."
"Must we do this? The deck is in your trouser pocket. Forgive me if I cut short your test of faith. But I have seen this before."
Sure enough, when I reach in my back pocket, the familiar smooth edges greet my fingertips. When did he-?
"Now, shall we begin?"
Without further ado, the Countess strides past me towards the back room. I am compelled to follow. The Countess seats herself across from me. Her gaze darts around the small space before falling on the cards on the table between us.
"Go on."
As I shuffle the deck, she folds her hands before her and closes her eyes.
From one of the three cards I flip over, the piercing thin eyes of the foxlike man in his robes greet us.
"…The Magician."
"How very appropriate." She peers down at the card, studying its face. "And what does he hold for me?"
My mind is clear. Even though I was startled by her intimidating presence before, the answer comes to me as easily as ever, raising my credence.
"You have a plan."
"Go on…" She flicks her wrists at me, flaccidly, to hide her eagerness.
"One that's long in the making. Years upon years. Now, you seek to set it in motion."
"And? Should I move?"
Her eyes pierce me, flashing brilliantly in the lamplight.
"Yes. Act now. Everything has fallen into place."
"Say no more."
Abruptly, she stands, giving the card one last glance. I'm barely on my feet when she throws back the curtains, striding purposefully back into the shop proper.
"Your fortunes are simple. Much the same as others I've heard. And yet… you are the first to pique my interest."
"Oh, thanks?" I prefer to think my fortune telling is at least genuine.
By the time I've emerged, the Countess is at the doorway, winding the shawl around her face. There is a long pause as she turns to me instead of heading for the door.
"Ahem."
I nearly trip over my feet in my haste to open the door. The Countess merely looks amused.
"Until tomorrow, then. Pleasant dreams."
With that, she glides past me and out into the night. For a moment, I'm frozen, staring after her figure long after it has vanished into the mist. What could the Countess want with me, a mere apprentice?
I close the door behind me and walk back to the counter, lost in thought. Maybe I should have considered countering her offer. Do I even like the Countess and her beliefs for this city? Maybe I was desperate to help someone, to find my own journey…
I sigh, slightly drained by having had two readings at once, and so outlandishly at that. Not to mention how my day had gone earlier. All that talk of my "reputation"… Could it be that she mistook me for-
"Strange hours for a shop to keep."
Who said that? My gaze darts around the shop, chasing shadows in the dark.
"Behind you."
Sure enough, when I turn, I see a figure looming against the door. He has a plague mask with red eye holes and a beak concealing his features, and is wearing a dark militant like uniform, the dark coat just off his shoulders like a red cape on the inverse side.
"Now, sources say this is the witch's lair. So who might you be?"
My heart starts racing as the masked intruder unfolds his arms and advances.
The witch's lair he said… perhaps he's heard the rumors about me too, then. That can't have anything to do with the reason why he is here, though. My mind is racing at all the possibilities of what's to come, and I can't think of a proper thing to do.
"W-Who's asking?"
I manage to spit something out; it's enough to give them pause.
"I am. I'd rather not do it again."
I try to speak, but my throat is dry.
If it's all the same, you're the one breaking into my shop making demands…
My eyes dart to the door, assessing my chances. A jolt of panic runs through my body to my toes and fingertips as I try to dart passed him by the counter.
"Up up up. Not so fast."
The masked intruder steps in front of me quickly and catches my wrist in a firm grip, then pulling me backward.
"Wh-! No-!" I try to struggle, but he yanks me like a rag doll against him easily.
My back meets their solid chest. The mask's beak curves ominously over my head, and I can feel his hot breath on my cheek.
He ducks down to talk in my ear.
"Tell me where he is and I'll let you go."
I throw my head back, knocking the mask away.
"Ah-!"
His grip loosens and I fall slightly forward. I slide behind the counter and face him. He's across from me, pressing his leather-gloved fingertips on the table.
I swing for their head across the counter with my fist, impulsiveness sending me into fight mode, and he pulls his head back and dodges with a delighted chortle.
"Ah ha! You've got guts. En garde, then. Let's see what else you've got."
I prepare a magical attack; a spindling ball of light forming between my palms. It doesn't work, though; the light fades out into a puff of smoke, my high-rise emotions blocking my concentration.
He grins. "Oh, has he been teaching you his tricks? Unfortunately for you, I've seen them all befo-"
I launch a bottle at his head.
"Ack!"
Knocked from the impact, the mask clatters onto the floor. My racing heart stops when he lifts his gaze to mine, red blood oozing from a wound atop his head.
"You do have guts."
He begins to wipe the blood off of the side of his face. As he stands back up again, I'm for some reason intimidated by his tall size, comparing him to the guard form earlier. Seizing my chance, I make a break for the backroom, the intruder hot on my heels.
I barely cross the threshold before I am yanked back by the scruff of my garments, twisting me around towards him. This time, he does not try to grab me.
"You're a slippery one."
As his eye bore into mine, I take in his features for the first time. I knew this man once. Everyone did. Now, his face is on Wanted posters all over the city.
"Oh, you recognize me? Then you know the trouble you're in." He gives me a vile sneer, like he's pleased by my realization. Back then, they used to call him…
"Doctor Jules?"
His pale eyes widen at the label.
"'Haven't heard that name in a while."
The murderer.
"Quickly now. Where is the witch?"
Once again, I've adjusted to the situation.
"You want me to rat out my master?"
"Your, 'Master' is it..?" He seems startled, looking away as if he's embarrassed by something. "Ahem. I won't pry into your personal affairs."
"I'll never talk!"
I'm proud of my response for just a split second, until his sneer is back, only he looks as if he's about to laugh at a friend's terrible joke.
"Oh, you'll never talk? How many times have I heard that before? Never say never, shop keep."
My heart is thumping violently, but I won't budge. Finally, the doctor tears his icy gaze away to survey the room.
"This is where you do your fortune telling, isn't it?"
The doctor drops himself into the reading chair, looming fearsomely over the table.
"Perhaps your cards can do the talking."
"…Huh?"
He sighs, impatiently. "Tell me my fortune."
"Y-you think I'm gonna give you a reading after you broke in?" I manage to say. I feel heat and buzzing in my ears in anticipation for his response.
"Tell me my fortune, and I'll leave you in peace."
I just stare at him blankly. Stuttering a few syllables, I manage to locate the deck on the table that resides between the doctor and I.
"Go on. Don't be shy." He nods his chin towards them, and a calm resolve cascades over his features. Less threatening.
"Why the hell should I trust you?"
He looks around, peering back into the larger room.
"You don't really have many options, here. You could try to fight me again, but I would rather not resort to violence."
He's right. His firm grip on my arm before was enough to make me process how easily he could curve that grip around my neck and end me. I'm good at fighting, but…
"…But, I give you my word. I won't harm you, and I'll leave."
"P-promise?" I'm sure I'm trying to look bold, twisting my brows in a furrow with my fists on either side of me.
"Trust me."
Hesitantly, I take my seat, cold eyes tracking my every move. I almost fumble the cards as I lace them through my sweaty fingers.
The doctor taps his fingers on the table and his eyes wander the room.
"Lovely décor. Reminds me of the good old days. You know, I used to love places like this."
Small talk, really?
I don't think I'm able to hide the bemusement on my face. A part of me wants to interrogate what he has just said.
As soon as the card is flipped, my mind starts racing. Nothing comes to me but the pounding of blood in my ears as we both scan image on the card: the horse's' skull with a long black mane, holding a scythe.
"…Death."
I manage to look at his face. The doctor is blinking heavily, as if flabbergasted by the card.
"…Death? Death?"
He barks with uncontrollable laughter, sharp as ice.
"You've got to be joking."
I jolt as his hands strike the table, and he rises to his feet. I follow the notion and stand up, alert for his next move.
"Death cast her gaze on this wretch and turned away. She has no interest in an abomination like me."
He almost sounds neglected, sad.
Overcome with confusion, I follow at the doctor's heels as he heads back to the front door.
"You've been hospitable, so I'll let you in on a secret. Your witch friend will be back for you. He's taught you his tricks. You may even say that he cares for you."
Maybe he has heard the rumors. I try to focus on some questions I have for this intruder, but I also just want him to leave after his abrupt appearance.
"But, when he returns…" The man lifts his mask from the floor, staring into its glassy red eyes.
"…Seek me out. For your own sake. That creature is far more dangerous than you know."
Dangerous? Says the brute that broke into my shop!
I try to form the words aloud, but I'm still too startled.
"Well then. The hour is late."
After giving me a long, hard look, causing my own gaze to stir to the left, the doctor fixes his mask in place.
"Don't let him fool you, shop keep."
The doctor slams the door behind him as he disappears into the early morning fog. The last words he said echo into my thoughts. I am finally able to catch my breath. He didn't want to harm me, but…
It had been a thrilling encounter, to say the least. First the Countess, then Doctor Jules shows up? A murderer and the wife of a tyrant were in the shop, and I'm still alive. Now that I'm collected, I want him to come back and answer my questions. Then again, I have to go to see the Countess in her palace as well. Those two have dire history… maybe all of this wasn't a coincidence, to happen in a single night.
I look around the empty shop. My eyes are drawn to the arcana cards in the back room. I can hear faint humming from many voices before I shake off feeling of adrenaline after my meeting with the doctor.
I ensure I have locked and put security charms on the doors before I head upstairs to rest.
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A/N: Hello, thanks for reading. I was compelled to write this in inspiration of the beloved visual novel. The beginning took place as a mixture of Julian's route and Asra's from the Justice Book, when they are put to trial, with other details that will be explained later. I will not be repeating every detail from the game, just the relevant/sensual Asra or Julian parts, with some extra adventures and scenes inserted as well. I admit I am aiming more towards the Julian Route as of now. The intro here is out of order, and some of it will be like this throughout as the story progresses. Thanks for any favs/reviews in advance and I hope you enjoy it!