Adam approached Lilith during the after party of the meeting.
"It's been a while." Adam said.
Lilith who had just come back from her duet with Amon looked at Adam with an inquisitive expression.
"Quite the presentation earlier though we didn't really need it. So what do you need?"
"It's more for formalities. By the way, when was Amon added?"
"I don't know, maybe he convinced Lumina to complain for him. But that's beside the point." Lilith responded.
"I guess. Did you perhaps convince that sanguine to send a recommendation?"
"No, I was invited by Zhou. Anyway, what do you want?"
"I simply wanted to talk to a fellow survivor." Adam had a relaxed smile on his face.
"What do you need?" Lilith clicked her tongue.
Adam's smile shrunk slightly.
"Let's talk afterwards."
"Why?"
"You'll find out."
***
"Klein." Eternal Darkness Amanises walked up to The Fool.
"Ha what is it? If it's about the book, don't worry I won't show up to the book signing." The Fool joked.
"We need to have a proper conversation." Amanises said in a serious tone.
***
"That's a stupid plan. I thought you were meant to be the smart one." Lilith said.
"It's the only one that has a chance of working." Adam replied.
"And it also has a larger chance of killing us all."
"Yes, but I was never a gambler. So I should have quite a bit of luck saved up." Adam joked.
"Ha, since when did you switch pathways?" Lilith let out a small laugh. "Anyway, why did you want to talk here?"
"It's pretty simple. I didn't want "him" to hear."
"Yeah, it makes sense. Though a bit rude to call Klein a "he"."
"But not incorrect. At this point "he" has almost no humanity. By the way, make sure to leave the others in the dark." Adam responded.
"Ok. I guess staking my life on this is better than dying helplessly."
***
Adam returned to the garden of Eden and immediately began putting his plan in to motion.
"Have you perhaps grown a soft spot for these people?" His shadow asked.
"I'm not sure. Though I do hope I have, even if it is for selfish reasons." Adam replied.
"There is nothing wrong with that."
"I know."
***
Lumina walked around Trier. She noticed several strange looks from people passing by and a few people beginning to follow her.
'How annoying.' She thought.
Ever since reaching sequence 6 walking in public had become especially irritating.
'I'm 10 years old for god's sake.'
She turned down an alley as the people followed her, she was already gone.
"How is my favourite god-daughter doing?" Amon asked in a playful manner.
"Fine. Some people were following me but it wasn't any trouble. None of them were even mid sequence. Didn't even bother fighting them." She replied.
"Ah, my god-daughter has grown so much. I still remember when you just became a witch, you would beat up anyone who even looked in your direction." Amon recounted.
"Well I guess I am more mature now." Lumina boasted.
"Maturity is good and all but that shouldn't stop you from having fun. So let's go pull some pranks."
"Yeah and let's get a drink afterwards big brother Lumian said it is what you're meant to do when celebrating."
"Let's wait until you're older."
"Alright, fine."
***
Klein looked had finished making preparations for his new persona. His digestion of his potion had been slowed recently but due to Adam's help it should be done by the time he would be ready to kill Ince Zangwill.
He stared at his face in the mirror which greatly resembled Dunn Smith.
"Captain." He whispered.
Suddenly the door opened as Hela entered.
"Wow, nice disguise. Anyway I just came here to say goodbye."
"Yeah, see you." Klein said with a hint of sadness in his voice.
Hela smiled and gave Klein a peck on the cheek. Klein's face was noticeably disappointed however Hele walked off smiling. As she was about to close the door she spoke.
"I'll give you a proper one when I'm back."
***
"Hey Mr Hierophant. I just wanted to ask if you're ok with a few of us hunting one of your oracles." Fors asked.
"Sure why not. I can always replace them. I'll manipulate the true creator to send a divine revelation." Adam replied.
"Oh, thanks."
"By the way how's the novel going?" Adam asked.
"It's been challenging. Especially after my roommate burned the manuscript. After that I completely lost my train of thought."
"I could hypnotise you so you're extremely motivated to finish the novel."
"Really? Alright, after I hunt the oracle, let's do that." Fors shouted.
The rest of the Tarot club looked at Mr Fool since the other Amanises was in ghost form.
"By the way Mr Fool, how is your review of Xio going?" Audrey asked.
"Oh she's approved, it's just she hasn't changed my honorific name so she hasn't accepted the membership. Well she also doesn't know about it so maybe during the hunt tell her." The Fool replied.
The Temperance who had recently reached sequence 3 sent a message to everyone. Her sentence appeared in illusory text in front of the members.
"Shouldn't we all attack some other evil organisations? It has been a while since the Tarot club had done something like that."
***
"Miss Audrey, I'm surprised you were invited as well." Xio said.
"Guess they knew I was a secret beyonder. This gathering host must know quite a lot." Audrey replied.
"Oh, Xio we actually have one more person joining us." Fors mentioned.
A cloaked woman walked over. Her face was covered by a mask however the bottom half was exposed revealing an extremely pale complexion and long light gold hair fell down to her waist.
"What can I call you?" Xio asked.
"Hela."
***
In the beyonder gathering they had spilt off to explore individually in order to protect their identities. However Hela, Fors and Xio circled around before meeting up.
"Just follow the plan." Hela told the other two.
Audrey turned invisible and headed to her position. Fors moved towards the direction of Mr X. Hela slowly gathered spirits to prepare for an attack.
Lewis Wein scanned the beyonder gathering. He didn't understand why the lord had sent a revelation to send an invitation to those three people; however, it was the will of god and he was in no position to question it. He tried to look for the special guests however one had disappeared, another was simply walking around looking at stalls and the last was seemingly gathering spirits for an attack. He had no clue about who they were going to attack however given the strength of the guest they must be at least sequence 5. Mr X prepared to assist in case of an emergency.
"I came, I saw, I recorded."
An illusory book appeared in front of Fors as she selected a spell. Beforehand she had obtained several abilities in order to prepare for this battle. A storm of lightning suddenly struck at Mr X who was about to blink away.
"Seal." Audrey appeared holding a charm engraved with The Fool's sacred emblem.
The gathering space had suddenly lost connection to the spirit world. Lewis barely realised in time as he switched tactics. He used a recorded ability to evade as best he could however he still suffered major damage.
As he began to recover from his confusion, spirits began attacking. His mind suddenly fell in to confusion as a psychic attack struck him. The guests who were mostly low sequence beyonders realised what happened and suddenly fell in to a panic.
Hela made sure Mr X was dead as she fired death knell blowing off his head. Audrey and Fors appeared as they each dropped the card representing them on the corpse. Fors took the characteristic and Hela took his artifact.
***
The churches and military were in a sudden panic as several secret organisations were attacked all at once by seemingly the same organisation. Tarot cards were left at the scene and from some eye witnesses they seemed to correspond to the members who participated.
An oracle of the Aurora order was killed by the Magician, Justice and Death.
A sequence 3 saint alongside many other members including several sequence 5's of the rose school of thought were killed by Temperance, the Devil, the Moon and the World.
A sequence 4 saint of the Moses Ascetic order was killed by the Hermit and Hanged man.
Several hideouts have been reported to the churches and military by the Tower and Star.
The Demoness of blue and Demoness of brown were killed by the Empress and the Lovers.
A sequence 2 angel of the Secret order alongside several saints were killed by the Hierophant.
Two sequence 2 angels of the Numinous Episcopate were killed by the High Priestess.
A separate attack on the Rose school of thought where Suah was killed by Strength.
The Tarot club possesses at least 16 members with at least 4 angels. Most of whom seem to be sequence 1. Death is suspected to be involved in the death of Qilangos however the event that has just taken place makes it seem otherwise.
The Tarot club seems to believe in The Fool. A charm was found at the scene where the oracle was killed. It had a pupil-less eye and contorted lines representing secrecy and change. This is suspected to be the sacred emblem of The Fool.
Most organisations have declared the Tarot club as an evil organisation and are looking for members however the churches of Evernight and Earth Mother have remained silent regarding the matter.
***
Meanwhile in Sefirah castle an emergency meeting took place.
"Guys I got the report." Leonard summoned it for everyone to see.
"Ha, only sequence 1 I'm feeling a bit offended." Amanises said.
"I mean who would expect two deities to descend and kill some random angels." Lilith responded.
"I'm feeling a little degraded on the report because they think I'm only sequence 2." Amon said.
"Well, you should have killed some more saints." Adam replied.
"I don't see how killing some saints made them think you're sequence 1. And for the record I killed two angels, they just don't know about it yet."
"Which one?" Adam asked.
"The purple one. I decided to turn "her" into an avatar because Lumina was wearing purple."
"I feel kind of weird being here as I didn't really do anything." Melissa said.
"It's fine you're only sequence 9." Klein comforted her.
"Anyway, with all that done, let's have a celebration." The Fool popped open a bottle of champagne.
"By the way I feel like we forgot something." Fors saidYeah, I think we did." Hela muttered.
"Oh, shit we forgot Xio." Audrey shouted.
Everyone suddenly gasped looking at Audrey.
"What?" She asked, confused.
"Audrey, you just swore." Fors pointed out.
Audrey looked lost in thought for a moment.
"Oh, I did. Well at least my parents aren't here. By the way how much alcohol does it take for a god to lose memories."
***
The moment Fors returned from Sefirah castle she noticed someone in her room. However due to her current intoxicated state she didn't immediately recognise who it was.
"Hey kid, you know robbing people isn't very…" Fors suddenly felt sick before shortly after throwing up on the floor.
"Fors!" Xio shouted.
Fors gained some clarity when she heard Xio's voice.
"Oh, Xio, sorry I went drinking with friends and abandoned you in the chaos. Please forgive me."
"You know," Xio paused for a moment. "Your bounty is 25,000 pounds and that's just the Loen kingdom I heard the churches are offering even more."
Fors suddenly felt herself sober up.
"Well, he was a bad guy in my defence. All I did was kill a heretic for the goddess." Fors said smiling.
"Well I guess they don't know it was you. Also you really committed to converting to the goddess. But you still got some explaining to do. By the way the entire world seems to be after you. I didn't get to see the whole report due to my low rank however since I was a witness I managed to see your part of this whole event. So which one were you?"
"I'm the Magician." Fors answered.
"I guess it fits. Keep going."
"So basically the Tarot club is an organisation directly connected to Mr Fool. So turning me in is akin to offending a god," Fors then muttered something barely audible. "Though I'm not sure if he would save me after I said I would eat him. Hopefully he forgot about that."
"I wasn't actually planning on turning you in!" Xio then mumbled something quietly. "Your bounty isn't high enough for that. Also the guy was evil so it's reasonable."
"Anyway we are by all means good. Just because our god isn't orthodox doesn't mean we are evil. Also we are secretly allied with two of the churches."
"I guess that makes sense," Xio then froze. "What did you just say?"
"We aren't evil?" Fors said, seemingly confused.
"You know which part I'm talking about!"
"Oh, yeah. Sorry I'm still a bit drunk. We are allied with the Evernight goddess and Earth Mother."
Xio suddenly fainted in shock. Fors, who was too drunk and tired to think properly, decided going to bed was a good idea and to deal with this tomorrow.
***
Xio woke up the next day feeling as if the previous day was just a fever dream. She sat up and realised Fors left her on the floor.
'I'm definitely claiming your bounty now.' She thought, mildly annoyed.
***
Later that day Fors explained everything and convinced Xio to join the Tarot club. Later that day the gathering took place.
"Good afternoon Mr Fool~." Miss Justice said as usual.
"Good afternoon Miss Justice." The Fool replied.
Audrey greeted the rest of the Tarot club and reached Xio.
"Good afternoon Xio. Wait sorry I meant Miss Judgement."
Audrey was still suffering from a horrible hangover due to yesterday's events.
"Good afternoon Miss Justice. I'm sorry but do you know me?" Xio asked.
"Yes. You will see who I am later."Justice replied.
"Mr Fool, you should stop delaying the meeting." The High priestess spoke up.
"I'm still preparing. After all, things need to be perfect for me and Amanises's second date." The Fool replied playfully.
"You know usually it's meant to be the first date you try your best."
"Well better late than never."
Xio was incredibly confused.
'Who is someone a god would date? Maybe another god. Wait, that novel Fors was writing. Was that actually real!' Xio shivered at the thought.
"Umm, I am wondering if anyone has the sequence 7 formula for the arbiter pathway." Xio managed to speak up.
"I got it." The Fool said.
"Umm, I'm not sure what I can trade for it."
"Money is fine."
Xio was surprised at the fact The Fool asked for money however the others didn't seem surprised.
"How much?"
"I'll give you a discount so 500 pounds." The Fool answered.
The High priestess suddenly slammed the table.
"You goddamn scammer! Why does she get a discount but I don't?" She exclaimed.
"Because I feel like it." The Fool
***
Xio stared in to space after that meeting she was visibly shaking as she processed the events that took place. Fors walked in to the room with a cup of coffee.
"How was it?" Fors asked before taking a sip.
"Can I quit?"
"No, that's the number 2 rule in the Tarot club."
"You know it feels like I just joined a cult." Xio said.
"Congratulations, you finally got it. Maybe you aren't so brainless after all."
Xio frowned before pouncing on Fors.
***
"Amani, glad you could join me." The Fool said gleefully.
"Well you're the one who can summon me and I asked for this meeting so I can't really miss it." Amanises replied.
"Well, I have an amazing day planned so I hope we can have some fun." The Fool reached out "his" hand.
She took "his" hand as The Fool began their "date".
Notes:The Fool took the two of them on a trip around the cosmos.
"How interesting." Amanises looked at the vibrant sea life within the underwater world.
"This planet is under the control of a nasty God with some sort of sea life related pathway. Luckily he was feeling nice enough to let us explore without trouble today." The Fool told her.
"How… kind of him." Amanises imagined the conversation.
"Here this one is incredibly soft." The Fool held out a fluffy looking jellyfish.
Amanises poked it to test the softness before grabbing it and holding it like a stuffed animal they had just won at a festival.
"Thanks."
"No problem. We have some more places to visit as well, but don't worry about the time we have as much as we want."
***
"You know this one is too hot for my liking." Amanises said.
"OK, let's go then."
"You know it doesn't have to be perfect right? This place is still beautiful, it's just slightly uncomfortable given how my divine kingdom is usually so cold."
"If it makes you uncomfortable then you should leave."
"I mean you're kind of right. It really depends on the situation though."
"Oh, how interesting."
"D-did you not know that?" Amanises asked.
"Well you learn something new everyday."
***
As they visited more planets Amanises noticed some more strange things appear within The Fool's behaviour. While before "he" lacked any sort of emotion, "he" still held some common sense but now even that began to slip.
"Klein."
The Fool didn't respond. This had also been something that had been happening now as no matter what he would never respond to "his" name whenever she called it. She tapped "him" on the shoulder.
"Is something wrong?" "He" asked.
"No, you were just zoning out."
"Sorry."
***
The two of them were watching a concert performed by some true gods The Fool "convinced" to perform for them. Amanises enjoyed the music quite a bit however she was more focused on the one beside her.
The Fool said they weren't friends before and she thought that she had come to accept that. However when she really thought about it their interactions since coming to this world were rather friendly. So at this point she considered them friends.
Then her thoughts turned to that moment on the beach.
'Does he-.' She stopped the train of thought.
***
They eventually ended up in a restaurant that The Fool had created by "convincing" some gods to cook for them.
"Ha, I'm surprised you didn't get the primordial hunger here." Amanises joked.
"I knew I was forgetting someone." The revelation suddenly struck The Fool.
"Are you serious?" Asked Amanises.
At this point it was becoming hard to tell what was a joke or not with "him".
"No, of course not. "He" is currently injured after all."
"Ha… you know I wonder how the others are doing." Amanises brought up the thought.
"Oh, yeah. I hope they are doing well." The Fool had a bright smile.
Amanises froze for a moment at the reaction before smiling softly herself.
***
Audrey stood at the celebration banquet held for her brother. It has been a long time since she has been home, in fact it has probably been several years.
'I can't even enjoy spending time here as I am only here to warn my brother. Then I have to go back to work.' Audrey sighed inwardly.
She had taken a bottle of wine from Fors which she had obtained while travelling in the cosmos. Audrey didn't really enjoy drinking however it would be weird if she was drinking and didn't even get slightly drunk.
'Alright, I think I'm ready to confront Alfred now.'
Audrey moved like a ghost through the banquet using psychological invisibility to avoid any conversation. She approached the balcony where Alfred was talking with some MI9 members. She waited for a moment letting them finish their conversation.
"Ah, Miss Hall, how are you?" Asked one of Alfred's superiors.
"I'm doing well. I just wanted to have a short private chat with my brother." She replied.
They left leaving Audrey to talk with Alfred.
"Audrey, what do you want to talk about?" Alfred asked.
"Let's find somewhere more private to talk." Audrey said in a serious tone surprising Alfred.
***
The two of them walked through the garden which was currently empty.
"There is no one here." Alfred said.
"I know. I sent everyone away." Audrey replied.
"So you planned this already. Well what do you want to talk about?"
"Yes, I have planned this talk quite a bit and to be honest I am still quite nervous. But first I want to congratulate you on advancing to sequence 4." Said Audrey.
"Thank you. Your brother is a proper demi-god now so you don't have to worry about anything."
"Yes, you are." Audrey's voice held some melancholy.
"If it's about advancing you shouldn't try to go any further. The further you go the more likely you are to lose yourself."
"So why do you do it?"
"Because I want to protect our family as well as the kingdom. I don't want a repeat of the world war." Alfred explained.
"A noble reason as expected of you." Audrey said.
"Thank you."
"Honestly I sort of feel bad about myself as I became a beyonder simply because I sought thrills." She sighed.
"Well it's not the worst reason, many people become beyonders to do harm. And in the end you ended up helping people even if it isn't as a beyonder fighting evil. Anyway it's much better as despite fighting evil we also face madness."
"We are guardians but also a bunch of miserable wretches fighting against threats and madness. Those are the words of Archbishop Chanis, the founder of the Nighthawks." Audrey quoted.
"Yes, as believers in the goddess we are protected by the Nighthawks."
"I only learnt that a few years back from a friend and for the longest time I didn't understand it. However I do now."
Alfred had an ominous feeling creep up on him.
"Audrey, don't tell me you-."
"Yes I am not a sequence 7." Audrey interrupted.
"Why did you continue to advance?"
"Because I wanted to help people," Tears welled up in Audrey's eyes. "I'm sorry I kept this a secret from everyone."
"Have you told everyone else yet? What sequence are you?" Alfred asked in a panic.
"You are the first one since you're a beyonder. I actually made this meeting to tell you to stop advancing."
"Audrey… you don't have to try advancing. I am strong and will continue to get stronger in order to protect us. So you don't need to burden yourself by advancing."
"Brother! I'm serious, stop advancing. I don't want you to lose yourself." Audrey said.
"It will be okay. I can handle it." Alfred tried to calm her down.
"Fine. If you won't stop I will make you."
"Audrey, your abilities won't work on me. Even if you advance to sequence 5 the difference between us is like night and day."
"You're right it is." Audrey said calmly.
"Alright, glad you understand."
"In fact I believe the gap is even larger than that. As at least a sequence 5 could win with the right sealed artifacts and conditions."
"Phew, so you're only sequence 6." Alfred felt relieved.
Audrey hesitated for a moment before speaking.There is one more thing I hid from you."
"Is it that you finally found a husband?" Alfred asked half seriously.
"No."
Audrey took out a deck of Tarot cards. She drew the top card and handed it to her brother. Alfred looked at the card. Numbered 11 there was a figure with a scale in one hand and a sword in the other. The card flickered as the figure was replaced with Audrey. As Alfred looked up Audrey took a bow.
"Allow me to reintroduce myself. I am Audrey Hall, also known as Saint Audrey to the Church of The Fool. But I am also known as Justice of the Tarot club and an angel of The Fool."
***
The Fool took Amanises's hand as they danced together on the beach.
"This is one of your better ideas, you know. No random gods being bullied, nice temperature and a beautiful view." Amanises said, looking at The Fool.
"I feel bad though as I wasn't able to make a perfect date." The Fool sighed.
"Well this may sound a bit cheesy but. It doesn't have to be perfect."
"Well that's nice to know. However I will still try to do better next time. It's a shame you can't stay out for too long."
"Well… it's good to spend time with you. Even if only for a little while." Amanises wanted to ask something however hesitated.
"Yes, it has been fun."
"C-can I ask you a question?" She finally mustered up some courage.
"Sure."
***
Alfred stood in shock as he processed the information. He grabbed her shoulders before speaking.
"Explain, please." He barely mustered the words.
Audrey turned away, not wanting to look at her brother's worried expression.
"I was a founding member of the Tarot club alongside the Hanged man. We were brought to Mr Fool's divine kingdom and formed the club. I advanced mostly through deals within the Tarot club. By the time you found out I was a beyonder I was already a demi-god."
Alfred felt his world shattering around him. How could his naive little sister have become a demi-god in such a short span of time and now become an angel. Suddenly a wave of calm washed over him.
"You used your abilities on me." He wiped tears from his face.
"Yes. Now listen to me and stop advancing."
"The world of beyonders is dangerous but I want to continue."
"It is even more dangerous than you imagine." Audrey shook her head.
"I have been through a world war and been in a town that doesn't exist. I have fought all sorts of heretics and monsters."
"And yet they are nothing compared to what is truly out there. If you think your humanity is fading now, it will only further intensify as you advance. I fought in a battle that far exceeds all conflicts of the past combined and yet the entire world remained blind to it. You have not witnessed the true horror of the universe."
"You were just a naive noble girl when you started. I will continue to advance so I can support you. Because you are my family."
Audrey was about to placate herself however she decided to show how she really felt. Tears rolled down her face as she looked at her brother.
"I-I won't stop you for now. But if things get dangerous I will. While we may have won that battle there is still another to come. I don't want you risking your life so just know I am here to protect you. If you need any psychological help then feel free to reach out. After all that's the least I can do for my family."
"Are you going to tell the others?"
"No, our parents will be worried sick and Hibbert has other things to worry about. Maybe one day however now is not the time. I won't be able to return home for a while as there will be big changes in the world so wait a while then I will properly return home."
"You have grown up. I feel bad as an elderly brother for not being able to protect you. Return often, you will likely outlive all of us but I hope you remember us."
"Of course I will. After all, you are all my greatest anchors."
Audrey hugged her brother before leaving. Disappearing as if she were never there. A virtual persona walked out from behind a wall and followed Alfred back inside.
***
"I have a question that I have thought about since the first date." Amanises said.
"What is it?" The Fool asked.
"Do you like me?" She asked.
The Fool smiled brightly, like a child who just heard a hilarious joke.
"Of course not."
Notes: