After the battle with Godrick and The Touched, it didn’t take long for the story to reach the outer edges of the city and start working their way through the country. According to the Minor Arcana the rumors that spread to the far reaches of the country are seemingly worse than the truth.

  Several rumors spread that the Saint had died after murdering half the population of Sirius, which I suppose isn’t entirely a lie. Other stories say The Major Arcana killed The Touched and went on a rampage in the city, completely obliterating the church. Either way, what really happened that day is only truly known by a few individuals and The Blessed are trying to ensure it stays that way.

  While the rumors spread like wildfire, The Blessed are doing everything in their power to contain it. While this isn’t the first time in the Order’s history that a Saint has been known to die, this is the first time that a rumor spread that he had turned on the Order and massacred a portion of their population.

  Since mass telecommunications don’t exist in this world, information travels rather slowly. It will take time before the stories, and or rumors, reach the other end of the planet. It wouldn’t surprise me if The Blessed are able to contain it before then, but either way, they are currently left with a broken religion.

  Any person who already had doubts, this was the match that lit the powder keg of that doubt. The fire quickly spread into disillusionment, and eventually disdain for the Order. While the majority where still in favor of the Order, it did at least cast doubt on the organization itself, which is a start.

  Unfortunately that is not our biggest priority at the moment, we will leave the politics up to the Minor Arcana; I want to focus on Godrick.

  “He said to head north east to the Zodiac, whatever that means.” I have no idea what that meant, but at the moment it was our only clue as to his whereabouts, but I don’t know why he would even tell me where he was heading next.

  “Awe fuck,” Avis frowns, “That’s almost as bad as The Order.”

  “I wonder why he would even bother telling us he was going there?” Dardania adds.

  “It is suspicious, especially since that is the one place in the world where the Order doesn’t have a foothold.” Prisha scrunches her face in confusion as she fiddles with her braid.

  “Can someone just speak clearly!” I finally let out. Hello, not from this world, I don’t know the lore.

  “Zodiac is a country across the sea to the northeast. So named because it is run by the twelve families of the Zodiac. It’s the one place in the world where The Saint has no power.” The Hermit walks into the room and has a seat at the table.

  “Who or what are the Zodiac apart from constellations?” I inquire.

  “The Zodiac are twelve equally powerful royal families who have ruled that region since the time of the Ancients. Each family possesses a unique power that is passed down through the bloodline, and it’s with that power and immense wealth that they are able to hold onto their territory despite the power of the Order.” The Hermit places their card on the table, and chooses to not say another word. We all stare at them, confused as to why they suddenly stopped talking after placing the card on the table.

  “Well,” Prisha begins, “It’s unclear why the Saint would go there, but it can’t be a coincidence that The Tournament of the Zodiac will be taking place soon.”

  “Oh shit, we should enter it!” Avis practically jumps out of his chair with excitement. “C’mon Dee, we could be rich if we won! I’ve heard stories of people having so much money they couldn’t even spend it all.”

  “No thank you.” Dardania pulls the Pilgrimage of Lucias out of her lap, and begins flipping through it, “I’d like to stay alive.”

  “That’s it? No discussion, just no?”

  “Yep, just no.”

  “No fair.” Avis throws himself back into his chair, sulking like a child. I try not to chuckle at how he’s acting. He notices, huffs, and turns away from me. Adorable.

  After a few moments, the room grows silent. The only sound is Dardania flipping through the pages of her book as she reads. Prisha’s eyes are firmly planted on the Hermit card, and the Hermit is just staring into space. The silence felt uncomfortable, but I didn’t know what to say.

  For the moment, things were normal, at least for us. I wanted to relax and not stress about what happens next, but there is something in the air. It feels like a senses of loss, like someone died. Or, is about to die.

  You know that feeling when you’re in the hospital with a sick relative, everyone is gathered around doing the family thing but there is an impending sense of loss. Yeah, that’s what it feels like. I hate it. I just hate it so much, and unfortunately I have experience two too many times. My father was worse though especially with those stupid vultures sweeping in at the last minute.

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  “I’ve made my decision.” the Hermit finally breaks the silence. I gulp a little too loudly. The Hermit turns towards Prisha and slides the card in her direction. “I wish for you to be the one to take up the mantle of The Hermit.”

  “I—” Prisha freezes, staring at the card with abject terror. Her eyes are wide, sweat is forming on her brow, and I’m pretty sure her braid looks like it’s about to come undone. “I don’t know.”

  “I assure you, after what I’ve seen, you are the perfect person to carry this forward.”

  At this point, everyone was facing them with our undivided attention. Dardania had practically chucked the book across the room the moment the Hermit made their declaration.

  “The instant you mentioned in the cell that you needed to find a successor I have wondered if I could do it, if it could be me. I… I don’t know.” Prisha begins to undo her braid that she had just braided, and immediately begins to redo the braid she had just undone.

  “You are intelligent, powerful, and have a firm grasp on who you are. That is how I know you to be the perfect candidate for it.”“I don’t want to lose myself.”

  “I don’t believe you will; besides it doesn’t happen all at once. It takes quite a while for all the memories and skills to merge into yourself. Ample time to sort through them and reconcile them.” The Hermit lifts their hand from the card and places it in their lap. “The moment you take the card, it will be yours.”

  The Hermit stands up begins walking out of the room before stopping to address us again.

  “While you all head to Zodiac, I will use what remaining time I have left to help the Minor Arcana in their mission.” They spin around and leave. Oh great, another awkward silence for all of us to sit in! Ugh, I need to get out of here and pronto.

  * * * * *

  Several days have passed since that conversation and we are just about ready to set sail for Zodiac. I would like to point out that I am one hundred percent terrified. Like, ready to have a panic attack and create an emo album terrified. Crossing the ocean!!! I don’t think humans are meant to do that! And this boat, it’s huge. Like, how did they make that thing, was it magic?

  “Would you just calm down already.” Avis says as he bops me on the head. It’s almost like he heard my inner monologue.

  “Hold me! Comfort me and make me feel better.” I whine as I reach for him but he just brushes me off, but not before he smiles softly at me.

  So, we have decided to leave Sirius behind for now and head to the hub of capitalism in this world. We aren’t really much use to the Minor Arcana at the moment, so we figured might as well see if there is any information we can gather from across the sea.

  In a stroke of luck, Lucias’s travels actually led him to Zodiac not too long after meeting Godrick for the first time. There were a few other stops before then, but we can just skip them for now.

  From what we can gather from the book, Zodiac was where the seat of the Ancients used to be prior to the Order. I can’t help but think all of this ties together somehow. Perhaps the people Godrick referenced that he is working with is in fact the Zodiac, but I feel like that would be the obvious answer to all of this.

  And not for nothing, I am beyond excited to see a place named after the Zodiac! The Zodiac! Like, I hope it looks like a grand city with lots of fantasy style elements and that the leaders are all hot in a magical kind of way. I was a sucker for those stars and now I get to see people named after them! Gasp, it’s so exciting.

  “I thought you were anxious. Now you look like a child about to meet their idol.” Avis bops me on the head again. Stop bopping me sir!

  “Two things can be true mister.” I frown at him, just let me be. I contain multitudes and it should be why you love me. Or perhaps love me. Or is why you will eventually fall in love with me. One of those things.

  “Guys.” Madison says softly as she walks onto the dock.

  “About time, thought you were gonna miss the boat. Where are your bags?” I ask as I crane my next to look around her for her bags.

  “I’m not going.” Madison lowers her head as tears begin to fall. Dardania immediately rushes to her and pulls her into a hug. “I’m not ready. I need help.”

  “We understand.” Dardania pulls back and gives her a reassuring smile.

  “The High Priestess became my whole identity when I landed in that camp. It became my savior and my reason for being there. It’s also the thing that broke me when I failed.” Her gaze slowly drifts to Avis who immediately notices. He gently places his hand on her head, trying to reassure her.

  “What happened to me isn’t your fault.” Avis continues patting her head.

  “I know, but I didn’t succeed saving you or Prisha. I don’t know who I am outside of this and I need to figure that out before I get back into the fight. So, for now, I’ll stay here with Tate and the Minor Arcana.”

  “We are going to miss you.” Dardania squeezes Madison tightly as she silently cries. Avis reaches around both of them and pulls them both into a big hug, the three groan as she squeezes and eventually they all laugh.

  Madison lets out a small yelp as I practically throw myself into her to hug her.

  “No one will get my references now! I’ll have to explain what anime is to these people! Do you know uncultured they are.” I fake sob into her, though it does make me genuinely sad that she won’t be joining us.

  “It will give us plenty to talk about when you get back.” Madison pulls away, a smile on her face and a glint in her eye. I nod as I wipe a tear from my own eye.

  “I suppose this is when I make my entrance.” Prisha says as she walks onto the dock carrying her bags. “There were a few questions that I needed answers to before we left. Plus this.”

  Prisha holds up The Hermit card, my mouth falls open.

  “Welcome to the Major Arcana.” I say excitedly. This is genuinely exciting that another member of the Arcana is joining us! Though, we are losing one so it’s a one for one kind of thing here.

  After we finished our goodbyes, we piled onto the boat, and set sail.

  Our entire crew consisted of the Minor Arcana including the owner and captain of the ship, so we were free to, well be free, during this voyage especially since it would take some time.

  I can genuinely say that I’m nervous about what comes next, but if I can survive being punched in the face by the Saint, I think I can survive anything. I hope. I gulp so loudly that everyone looks at me. It’s going to be a long voyage.

  Thank you all who read this far.

  I would be beyond happy if you could review, or leave a rating to help boost the story.

  In a few short weeks Book 2 will begin.

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