The tarot were drawn, the spread laid on the table, the arcana one by one revealed. The diviner read from them a compelling story, a self-fulfilling prophecy that would play out just as the cards had foretold.

Bittersweet, all the easier to swallow.

And so, somewhere along the way, even she'd given up. Nothing left for her but borrowed time away from a shallow grave. That's what they all said. That is what the cards foretold.

V, Judy, and those who share their space. A city built to crush the soul.

What happens when you find something to fight for?

This game was a window into a world of neon shadows for me to run.

This one scene gave me a reason.

Pyramid Song is the beginning of the story. V and Judy are its heart, enveloped by the lives intersecting theirs. Night City is as it is when you look really close. When you start asking why.

Turning the cards of those small whys will reveal a different destiny, if you'll allow me to read for you.

I try to stay true and respectful to the characters and the world we've been given. I try to stay close to canon where I can. We will end up in a place that looks very different… but hopefully feels right.

This story is the first arc of three following one another.

Content warnings will be in the end notes for each chapter, where needed. This is a story set in a violent world, and deals with difficult themes — as well as themes of a far more pleasant kind that may need warnings — but I do not write to glorify, and try to avoid anything gratuitous. Please let me know if you have any concerns, or I have missed something.

I will try to ensure it's not essential to have played the game to enjoy this story, that it works standalone, but it is always a challenge. I do think it's fair to say you'll get more out of it if you have played — references, context, and of course some familiarity with the characters. There's always plot summaries to read and playthroughs to watch, if you're interested but can't take on the game. If you have questions, you're more than welcome to ask!

There will be spoilers, and I won't try to mark them beyond some general notes.

I love hearing your thoughts and talking about anything and everything related to the story or our beloved characters. It quite literally keeps me going to know that you are invested enough in the story to wonder, or notice, or gush, or criticize, or… whatever it is that might move you in some way, and I am grateful if you take the time to leave a comment. Every chapter, once in a blue moon, just let me know you're out there and there's enough to the story to care.

In addition to comments, you can also reach me via DMs, or on Twitter as AuskaWorks

— Auska