It Begins (1)

Sebastian nearly fell over. His mind and thoughts suddenly became hazy, filling him with an extensive sense of dread as he tried to make sense of it all. He was already confused about what Vulcan was saying, but now she'd just amped that up tenfold!

"Die? What do you mean?!"

Vulcan blinked a couple of times, as if he'd just asked an obvious question.

"Well, the Wheel of Fortune symbolizes a constant cycle in some capacity. Which is why I theorize it's the reason the Wheel's incarnation is always the first to die when the game begins."

Incarnation? Death? Game?

Sebastian inhaled deeply, trying his best to prevent himself from passing out.

"Could you…explain as if I don't know what's happening?"

The young scientist's frizzled hair shook disappointedly. Though he couldn't see it, Sebastian couldn't help but feel as if she was glaring at him from beneath those locks.

"In that case…think of it this way: Heroes are all a farce. It's just one big cover-up for the real thing; the Tarot Game."

Sebastian's eyes widened for a moment, but his shock didn't take long to wane.

After all, he'd assumed that there was more to 'Heroes' and their feats a long time ago. Most of those in the Lower District thought the same.

He wasn't a conspiracy theorist like his sister, but he knew there was no way that a bunch of self-proclaimed selfless super powered individuals had nothing to hide.

Noticing his compliance, Vulcan continued:

"Every decade or so, 22 people are randomly chosen from existing living creatures. Each of them are given a particular 'Arcana', which as you can tell stems from the Tarot Cards us humans are accustomed to."

Sebastian nodded.

"Then…I'm assuming the reason you call yourselves 'Heroes' and use the whole 'Superpower' cover is to hide the details of the game?"

Vulcan pulled a juice box out of her coat pocket, taking a long sip before continuing.

"Mhm. Course we can't hide everything, but we've kept the important parts under wraps. Like the point of the whole thing."

Suddenly flinching, Sebastian's gaze turned sharper.

"The point?"

"Yep. The whole game is just a way to decide the path humanity walks. A killing game to decide our futures. Every big event from history is something you can attribute to the Arcana who won the previous game"

Taking another sip from her juice, Vulcan continued.

"Take the Great Excavation of Pluto, for example. Last game was because of Hanged Man's victory. All of the original inhabitants of this dwarf planet were slaughtered for the sake of Humanity's prosperity."

Sebastian's breaths suddenly stalled.

'Every event?'

Just what exactly did this entail? For how long had humanity's fates been guided purely by this strange power? 

…And just how many people had died for them to get this far?

"Wait, then how do you know about the victor of the last game? Shouldn't you all have died?"

"Sort of? At some point, Incarnations — those who inherit the abilities of certain Arcana — can recall specific memories of their predecessors. Though, in most cases that's due to certain abilities a card grants, yours may not be the same."

Sebastian nodded.

"I see…"

Vulcan let out a spiteful scoff and tossed the juice box to the ground.

"Also, the jerk brags. A lot."

Before Sebastian had the chance to comment, both he and Vulcan's expressions darkened. Sebastian in particular became overwhelmed with a terrible sense of dread.

[The 22nd Card has been drawn!]

[The Tarot Game shall now commence!]

***

Blaring police sirens overlaid the surroundings in a sickening shade of red and blue. The sounds of police talking, the pens of detectives scratching against paper, alongside the various noises plaguing the area.

In the center of it all, comforted only by an aluminum coat and a cup of cocoa, was Elizabeth.

Usually, crimes in the Lower District were ignored. Pushed aside as if it were simply a common occurrence. Which — to be fair — it was.

But this…this scene was something none of them could ignore. Not the police, not the inhabitants of the Lower District, not even the world could simply disregard it.

"I don't think I've ever seen something like this."

One of the policemen on duty shook, reluctantly taking in the grotesque scene that stood before them.

What was once a relatively mundane grocery store closer to the northern portion of the Lower District had been reduced to a pile of ashen rubble.

Gray clouds of ash fell unto all observers who gazed upon it. The recently extinguished flames still gracing them with the smoky echoes of their existence. Almost like ghosts holding onto the desire to be remembered.

But the worst part wasn't the destruction, nor was it the flames that had been devouring the area just moments prior.

It was the carnage displayed across the blackened stones. The dried blood and scattered remains had caused many newer officers to nearly lose their lunch.

It was as if someone had just…popped.

One of the detectives walked over to a shaking Elizabeth, gently placing her hand on the witness' shoulder with a concerned expression.

"I know this must be difficult for you to see, but please. We need any information you can give us on what happened here."

The woman's eyes were surprisingly warm for someone who'd seen as much as she had. Yet, the bags beneath them belied her outwardly positive appearance. Her caramel skin seemed lightly doused with sweat, and even her hazel-colored hair stuck to the sides of her face, visibly expressing the weight pressed upon her.

In a lot of ways, she reminded Elizabeth a lot of her mother.

"No…I'm sorry I couldn't be of any help. Really."

The woman's grip seemed to tighten slightly, but loosened soon after. With a defeated sigh, she handed the young girl a card.

"It's fine, don't worry. But if you ever do recall anything, I need you to contact me immediately. Okay?"

Elizabeth nodded slowly, staring down at the card with an unreadable expression.

"Lead Investigator Chastain! We've found something!"

A voice called out to the woman, pulling her attention away from Elizabeth for just a moment.

That single moment was more than enough to allow Elizabeth to slip away, she'd been doing so for years after all.

Quickly gulping down the rest of the cocoa, she took the aluminum blanket and darted off. Knowing she wouldn't be able to survive the walk home in Pluto's harsh cold without some form of protection.

However, along the way, the cold seemed almost irrelevant to her. Her mind was elsewhere.

[ Welcome, Paladin, to your Second Life! ]

[ Assigned Tarot: Justice ]

[ Arcana: Judgement ]

[ Arcana Rank: Minor Arcana ]

A slight grin crept across her face, it took everything in her not to shout it into the world the instant she'd seen it back in the store.

'I did it! I awakened!'

With her grin forming into a full-blown smile, she continued her arduous trek back home.

As she walked, a crimson fluid ran slowly down her arm. Accompanied by a faint, albeit slightly noticeable golden glow.

***

Vulcan apprehensively bit her fingernail. Her eyes trembled as they glanced down at the panel's foreboding message.

Sebastian was in a similar position, albeit multiplied tenfold. She'd just told him he was going to be the first one to die, damn it!

Cooling his nerves, he turned back to face Vulcan. Suddenly realizing something.

"Hey, you must've called me here for a deeper reason than just telling me about the game, right?"

Shaken out of her stupor, Vulcan's shaking eyes shot toward Sebastian. 

"Right, yeah! You, I want to make an alliance with you!"

Sebastian flinched a bit, but expected as much. He wasn't exactly expecting her overwhelming enthusiasm, though.

"Why though? Won't I end up being killed?"

"That's the thing! I'll keep you alive, all you need to do is win this whole thing."

Vulcan's words had only worsened Sebastian's confusion. Just what was she on about? If he ended up winning that'd mean she'd have to end up dying, who was willing to just sacrifice themselves for someone they didn't even know like that?

[ … ]

Sebastian glared at the panel as if he knew exactly what it wanted to say. Shaking his head, his attention returned to Vulcan.

"So why exactly are you willing to put your life on the line for me? You know, you really don't have to do that. I don't think I even want you too."

Vulcan shrugged, moving her frizzy hair aside and unveiling her rounded, green eyes. She stared directly at Sebastian, although seeing her eyes for the first time almost made her appear childish from his perspective, he kept a brave face.

"It's just a theory, but I think you're the most valuable person here. To me at least. Every time a different Arcana has won a different fate is placed on humanity. The Great Excavation of Pluto was a result of sacrifice on that jerk's part, and even the start of Humanity's journey into space was because of The Fool."

Sebastian felt himself nearly collapse in his seat, prompting him to jump to his feet and grasp hold of reality. What Vulcan was saying was ground-breaking — no — it was completely and utterly unbelievable!

Before he'd at least been able to digest it a little better, but only now was he really beginning to understand how deep the Tarot Game had stuck its tendrils into humanity's history.

But why? Why was humanity chosen as the target of these fates? Why did they need to die to achieve them? And who in the world was the cause of the strange panels?

Vulcan sighed.

"Don't think too hard about it, it'll drive you crazy. Trust me."

Letting out a shaky breath, Sebastian grappled with his bewilderment and returned to his usual composure. However, his concern had yet to completely leave him.

In an attempt to divert his focus elsewhere, he looked up at Vulcan.

"So what role do I play in all of this?"

Vulcan's excited look was completed by a toothy grin.

"Because the Wheel of Fortune symbolizes change, and in some cases, can even mean to break a cycle. The latter's a bit more of a gamble, but it's more certain at least."

Shaking her head, Vulcan pushed the thought aside and continued.

"Anyways, I theorize that if you win this, the game as a whole will end. No more deaths, no more forced fates. Humanity's future will be caused entirely by its own decisions and its decisions alone."

Chewing his lip, Sebastian slowly began to repeatedly tap his foot. It seemed like just yesterday he was talking to his sister, celebrating her 18th birthday. Now he was suddenly thrust into a death game with humanity's fate on the line against his will?

'What crappy system is this?!'

[ It's a wonderful system, thank you. ]

Sebastian glared at the panel before returning his gaze to Vulcan.

"You said there's a more certain gamble we can take?"

Vulcan flinched, almost as if hoping he'd gloss over her slip-up.

"No, don't worry about it. It wouldn't work if you knew anyways."

'Not suspicious at all…'

Sighing, Sebastian stood to his feet and began to walk toward the door, before quickly being stopped by a wall of solidified rock which blocked the threshold.

"Where are you going?"

Vulcan leaned against the wall.

Sebastian looked at the unbreakable barrier with a contemptuous expression before facing Vulcan. Clenching his fist, he spoke up.

"I'm not just going to sit here, I have family to take care of. I'm not participating in some Death Game that'll prevent me from keeping her safe. Not when I finally have a chance at getting us a better life."

With those final words, he summoned the Sphinx who instantly spun the wheel.

[ Good Spin: Fortune looks upon you with favor! ]

Instantly, the entire house crumbled into dust. Leaving the two dirty, but unharmed. Pluto's rock wasn't the most sturdy material when thrown together on the fly, after all. The place was bound to come down sooner or later.

Vulcan let out a stifled growl and brushed the dirt from her clothing, not even the least bit shaken by Sebastian's display.

"Don't you understand? This could end everything! All the bloodshed, all the loss! Think of the lives we can save!"

Sebastian flinched.

'The lives we can save?'

A particular scene appeared in his mind, causing him to break into a cold sweat. His heart began to beat rapidly as the vivid image of crimson fire resonated in his mind.

His breaths pacened, drowning out Vulcan's concerned voice.

Distant whispers pervaded his ears, their meaning so close, yet permanently evading his memory. But he recognized the voice.

It was his mother's.

"..ast..ian!"

Who was that?

"Sebastian!"

Vulcan delivered a powerful slap to Sebastian's cheek, instantly forcing him to be brought back to reality.

With a pained yelp, he rubbed the injured spot slowly before looking up at Vulcan with a pitiful expression.

"Fine. I'll think about it. Just give me some time to collect myself, please."

Vulcan's eyes narrowed, but softened a moment afterward as she nodded.

"Yeah, yeah. I have some things I need to handle, feel free to visit the Nexus whenever you're ready. Tell them Vulcan sent you and I'll do the rest."

Callously waving goodbye, Vulcan turned to say one more thing.

"Ah, and you should probably get out of here with Barron soon. The Uppies don't take kindly to those from the Lower District."

She gestured toward the rapidly growing crowd before continuing to walk away. For some reason, Sebastian felt as if they'd maul him the instant Vulcan left.

"C'mon kid. I don't know what you talked about, but clearly we need to reschedule your retest."

Barron pushed his way through the crowd, easily lifting Sebastian's skinny body onto his shoulder. Although the lightweight in question was hardly concerned with his pride at the moment.

"Retest? I thought I failed?"

Barron let out his signature laughter, causing some of the others to back away.

"That old thing? Please, that wasn't your fault. Damned thing practically had one foot in the grave already!"

Sebastian averted his eyes and chewed his lip.

"Uh, yeah. They should really do better maintenance…"

With another hearty laugh, the duo took no time in leaving the Upper District and its crowd behind.