The Jack's Gambit

The search for Caius led Noir through the shadowed corners of the House of Spades. The dormitory, a gothic fortress veiled in illusion, hummed with a quiet energy. Students, clad in the House's signature dark uniforms, moved with an air of quiet intensity, their whispers echoing through the stone corridors. Noir bypassed them all, his senses honed, searching for the unique signature of the Jack of Spades.He found Caius in the training yard, a secluded space hidden within the fortress walls. The Jack of Spades stood amidst a circle of shattered training dummies, his midnight-blue hair falling over his golden eyes as he practiced a series of intricate sword forms. The movements were fluid, precise, each strike carrying the force of controlled power.Noir watched for a moment, impressed by Caius's skill. He had a feeling the Jack of Spades was more than just a strategist; he was a warrior.When Caius finished, he sheathed his sword, the movement as smooth and effortless as his swings. He turned, his golden eyes meeting Noir's. "You're looking for something, Vale."Noir nodded. "Information."Caius raised an eyebrow. "Information usually comes at a price.""I'm willing to pay," Noir replied. He pulled the Codex of Lost Truths from beneath his coat, holding it out. "This is my offer."Caius's eyes widened as he recognized the book. He took it cautiously, his fingers tracing the blank cover. "Where did you find this?""In the restricted archives," Noir answered. "It speaks of the Fifth House, the Suit of Void."Caius opened the Codex, his gaze fixed on the pages. He flipped through them quickly, his expression growing more serious with each passing moment."The Whispering Caves," he murmured, his voice barely audible.Noir nodded. "You've heard of them."Caius closed the Codex, handing it back to Noir. "They're more than just rumors, Vale. They're a gateway.""To the Void," Noir finished.Caius nodded again. "And to power beyond anything we can imagine."A silence fell between them, the weight of their words hanging heavy in the air. Then, Caius spoke, his voice low and serious."I'll help you," he said. "But not because of the Codex. Or the Void. I'll help you because I want to see what happens when someone dares to rewrite fate."Noir met his gaze, a flicker of understanding passing between them. They were both playing a dangerous game, walking a path shrouded in shadows. But they were walking it together."Then we have an agreement," Noir said.Caius nodded. "We leave at dawn. The Whispering Caves are a long journey."As Noir turned to leave, Caius stopped him."Vale," he said. "There's something you should know."Noir paused, turning back to face him."Selene," Caius continued, his voice laced with caution. "She knows about the Codex. And the Whispering Caves."Noir's expression darkened. "How?"Caius shrugged. "She has her sources. But that's not all. She's made a deal with the Executors."A cold feeling settled in Noir's stomach. "What kind of deal?""I don't know the specifics," Caius admitted. "But I've heard whispers. She's promised to deliver you to them. In exchange… she gets something she wants.""And what's that?" Noir asked.Caius's golden eyes met his. "Power, Vale. The kind of power that comes from controlling fate itself."Noir exhaled slowly. He had suspected Selene was playing her own game, but this… this was a betrayal."Thank you, Caius," he said. "I won't forget this."He left the training yard, his mind racing. He knew Selene was ambitious, but he hadn't realized she would go this far. She was willing to sacrifice him to the Executors in exchange for power.He couldn't trust anyone.Except Caius.And perhaps… himself.He returned to his dorm, the image of the Void Card burning in his mind. He needed to prepare. He needed to be ready for whatever Selene and the Executors had planned.The journey to the Whispering Caves was about to begin. And Noir Vale was ready to play his hand.