THE FOOL

So much had happened, and I needed to keep my resolve strong. I had already started something I couldn't back out of now.

I remembered that Kath had mentioned something to me about the Arcana and that she wanted to discuss it. With no good reason left to go to work, I decided to head straight to Kath's house since we had already planned to talk about what she knew about the Arcana.

After a long ride, I arrived at Kath's place and rang the doorbell. Moments later, I heard footsteps approaching the door—it was her, of course. However, I found myself slightly taken aback and stepping back when I saw what she was wearing. She was in a tank top and short shorts, her fair skin impossible to ignore. I caught myself staring for a moment but quickly looked away, forcing myself to focus.

"Daniel? You're early. Don't you have work today? And you didn't even let me know you were coming," she said, slightly surprised. She was right—I hadn't informed her about my plan to visit. The only thing she knew was that we were supposed to meet later in the evening after my work.

I told her I needed to discuss something with her, and that it was a long story. Hearing that, she invited me inside, gesturing for me to step into her home.

There was a brief moment of awkward silence as I struggled to look at Kath properly. She seemed so different today, perhaps because she had just taken a shower, and her casual outfit made her look effortlessly comfortable. I couldn't help but feel uneasy.

Of course, Kath noticed my unusual behavior and immediately started teasing me. She pointed out my awkward glances and even teased me further by sitting beside me and putting her arm around my shoulder. That only made me blush more, and I found myself at a loss for words.

"Kath, please," I finally managed to say. "I can't focus on what I want to talk about."

She burst out laughing, clearly amused by my reaction. Seeing her so cheerful, I couldn't help but smile too, despite my embarrassment. It was one of those moments where her joy was contagious, and I momentarily forgot why I was so flustered in the first place.

And then, the atmosphere shifted, turning serious.

I decided to bring up the topic Kath had mentioned to me before—about the Arcana—and asked her what she knew about it.

However, before Kath could say a word, we suddenly heard a familiar voice accompanied by an eerie laugh. It was none other than The Crow, the entity from the tarot card that had been guiding me in its use.

The Crow chuckled darkly, its tone laced with meaning, before finally speaking. "Arcana. Is that what you wish to know about?" it said, its voice carrying an almost hypnotic weight.

As soon as those words were spoken, the surroundings dimmed, enveloping us in a strange darkness. I glanced at Kath to check if she was okay, and she gave me a reassuring nod, signaling that she was fine.

The Crow continued speaking. "The Arcana... it is a person. Or rather, it is both of you. Individuals with an unshakable resolve for what you wish to achieve. Not simply because you want to, nor because others desire it, but because the manifestation of your heart and mind is so strong that it willed power into existence to change this world."

"The abilities you possess as an Arcana are the manifestations of what you deeply desired—abilities born from the core of your being, shaped by your strongest emotions and needs."

The Crow turned its gaze to Kath. "Take Ms. Kath, for example. Nearly everyone in her life lies to her—even her own family, even those they trusted wholeheartedly. Her world was built on deceit, and because of that, the manifestation of her ability was born—the power to expose lies and force honesty."

The weight of The Crow's words hung in the air, leaving me speechless. It was as though the truth behind our abilities was finally unfolding, piece by piece.

The Crow's gaze shifted to me, its eyes piercing and intense, as if it were looking straight into my soul. Its voice, now devoid of humor, became sharp and authoritative.

"And you, Daniel," it began, its tone heavy with meaning. "Do you realize that you are the first in history to manifest the Fool Arcana?"

I froze as its words sank in.

"This is because of the overwhelming hatred and fury you harbor toward this world," the Crow continued, its gaze unrelenting. "You are willing to eliminate anyone to cleanse this world, without hesitation or mercy. Your heart is unwavering, and you show no remorse in taking the lives of those who, in your eyes, deserve to be erased from existence."

It paused, letting the gravity of its words settle.

"All of that—the rage, the resolve, the unflinching certainty—manifested into the power you now wield. A power unlike any other: the ability to control anyone you desire."

The room fell silent, its words echoing in my mind. My chest tightened as I processed what the Crow had just revealed. The truth about my ability wasn't just about strength—it was a reflection of who I had become. My power, born from the darkness in my heart, was both a weapon and a curse.

The Crow continued, its tone taking on an unsettling mix of amusement and intrigue.

"Because I've been thoroughly entertained by your actions so far, Daniel, I'll give you a bonus explanation—something you might find valuable," it said, its voice almost mocking.

"There are currently eight Arcana in your world. Once, there were many more, but one Arcana—whose reasons I cannot disclose—has been systematically eliminating the others. That Arcana has been hunting their own kind, erasing their existence from this world."

It paused, letting the weight of its words linger before continuing.

"And now, it's likely they know you exist. Your actions in the past have made it clear that another Arcana has surfaced. Be careful, Daniel. I'm certain they are already hunting you. And I, for one, can't wait to see how this unfolds. The more you show me, the more I'll enjoy this little game," the Crow finished, its voice dripping with dark delight.

Then, with a booming, sinister laugh, it disappeared, leaving the room shrouded in silence. The darkness surrounding us began to dissipate, and light slowly returned to the space. I stood there, the weight of its cryptic message pressing down on me, knowing that whatever lay ahead would be nothing short of a deadly challenge.