Tarot Club 4th Meeting

Max spent the following days writing a few letters to his business partners back in Backlund, teaching Ademisaul about mysticism and various rituals, as well as training with the old man from the training centre. He had spent 20 pounds for a 2 month membership and private lessons from the old man, but this was important.

Max needed a way to defend himself. A gun was a good way to defend himself against non-Beyonder and low-sequence Beyonder threats, but there were many limitations to it. The most important being he would have to carry around the gun with him everywhere, and he already had the sword to deal with. Plus, sourcing the gun and its bullets where not very easy and would make him become involved with the official authorities. 

Instead, Max had his gravity-based bullets that he could throw at enemies as though it was from a gun. That alone made the gun a burden rather than something useful since his ability did not involve a loud sound or a bright flash when launching the bullet.

However, Max knew of many Beyonder abilities even in the lower sequences that could negate the effectiveness of his bullets; like the Clown's ability to transfer wounds. Furthermore, there would also be cases where he might have to defend himself near or in front of Official Beyonders, and he would not be able to use his Gravity abilities then.

As such, Max felt it was better to improve not just his physique, but also learn some hand-to-hand combat, as well as some combat skills involving knives. At least he would be able to protect himself from non-Beyonders in front of authorities without resorting to what normal people could only refer to as magic.

July 16th, 1349 of the Fifth Epoch

A few days passed and Max spent most of them repeating the same pattern, but he did not notice any drastic change in his physique. However, he did notice a sharp increase in close combat skills. After all, he was someone who had not learned anything similar in Max's life, or Samuel's. Going from a regular guy to someone who even remotely was able to protect himself rapidly increased his survival chances.

Ademisaul was still the same as ever, a young child with no family other than Max, but a rather curious child. Max had also warned him from quite some time ago, that curiosity was something incredibly dangerous and that the truths one may find would likely end up killing them, or worse.

Thankfully, the kid seemed to agree to Max's warnings, at least for the time being, so he began to focus on his studies. Naturally, Max did not just want another Old Neil, so he made sure the kid had to go through a lot of books about various aspects of the world, including the geo-political system, the sciences, machinery, languages, mathematics, economics, and any other books he could get his hands on other than astrology and the study of the stars and sky. That was simply too dangerous.

Max also made sure the kid got his fair share of known history, and some clues about the unknown history, without going into any actual specifics.

Anyway, today was another day for Max to digest his potion, and he would do exactly that since today was a Monday!

…

Above the blurry and boundless, greyish-white fog, in the lofty castle, stood a figure whose entire body had been engulfed by the fog. He sat down at the seat of honour and leaned against the high-back chair before reaching out and touching the three red stars belonging to Mr. Hanged-Man, Ms. Justice, and Mr. Death.

Three red blobs extended into blurry human figures by the sides of the ancient mottled bronze table. 

"Good afternoon Mr. Fool! Unfortunately, there is no wine else I would have toasted to your successful trial." Audrey smiled politely. Naturally, she was referring to the ritualistic magic.

A little chitchat later, Audrey handed another page of Emperor Roselle's diary to Klein, who gladly accepted it while hiding his emotions. Klein then began his usual antics of being utterly baffled, shocked beyond belief, and a little embarrassed here and there while reading his predecessor's notes, all while the grey fog hid everything about him.

"Sorry for the wait." Klein ultimately said as he made the page of the dairy vanish and return to grey fog with a wave of his hand.

"It is our honour."

"I have an update for my previous request regarding the potion formula for the Monster potion of the Monster Pathway. As it turns out, I have received some credible information that those of the Rose School of Thought have access to the formulae of this pathway, as well as the ingredients for it. All I want to know is where some of their people are. As for getting the information out of their heads, I can do that my way. Of course, if you are able to get the formula, then I will be willing to pay much more, but be warned, secret organisations are very dangerous, especially for Low-Sequence Beyonders."

Alger and Audrey just nodded at this revelation without showing much expression on their faces. Audrey had been trying her best to suppress her emotions and what she showed on her face to digest her potion, while Alger already knew a lot about secret organisations.

Max then nodded to everyone before falling silent once more. A moment of silence ensued among the group before Audrey finally spoke up.

"Where can I find the Psychology Alchemists?"

While Klein did not show much reaction, Alger spoke up.

"Miss Justice, firstly I don't have a clue. Secondly, I don't think there is a rush in seeking out the Psychology Alchemists. What you should focus on now is completely digesting the Spectator Potion."

"All I want is to have plenty of time to prepare so that I can approach them more naturally. Alright, then when can I digest the Spectator potion and stop acting? Is there a standard that indicates when I can? I'm almost at the point where I no longer feel frustrated, nor do I hear the constant murmuring anymore." 

Alger looked at The Fool in the fog but saw that he didn't have any intention of speaking. He then deliberated before saying, 

"If you don't use the acting method, the typical rule of thumb is to wait three years and confirm that you no longer feel restless or receive any auditory or visual illusions. There is one simple test to determine when you can. That method is to exhaust your body to its limit. If you still don't hear any maniacal murmurings or see any strange things at that point, that would mean that you're ready to advance."

"With regards to the acting method, I have also just come into contact with it. It feels good, so I don't think it'll take three years."

'That wasn't useful at all… Three years, that's too long…' Audrey criticized inwardly. She had just thought about this when she heard an armrest tapping. Alger also turned his attention to the Fool, waiting for him to speak.

"For low sequence Beyonders, as long as you strictly stick to the acting method, you should be able to digest the medicine after half a year. It may even be possible within a month. As for the signs of digesting, you will know when it happens."

"One month… Great! Thank you, Mr. Fool!" Audrey exclaimed while brimming with joy.

After a bit of back and forth about new members, Alger finally spoke about something interesting.

"I've heard that a Listener from the Aurora Order is searching for traces of the True Creator, which is the holy residence they advocate." 

"True Creator?" Audrey asked, puzzled. 

"It is an ancient entity worshipped by numerous secret organizations and cults. They believe that the Creator hasn't completely perished. The Core he left behind is the True Creator." Alger gave a rough explanation. 

"Since the Fifth Epoch, the True Creator has appeared in many forms, such as The Hanged Giant or the Eye behind the Shadow Curtains. He he, many people believe that Emperor Roselle referenced the imagery of the True Creator when he was creating the tarot cards; hence, there exists the card of The Hanged Man." 

At this point, he looked at Klein and said, "Mr. Fool, there's nothing with what I said, right?"

A brief silence fell onto the meeting until Klein finally said, "I am more inclined to call him the Fallen Creator."

Alger ruminated over those words for a few seconds while the hall descended into silence once more at Klein's words.

"Mr. Fool, your description is indeed more appropriate. According to our observations, Beyonders who believe in the True Creator, no, the Fallen Creator, have a higher probability of losing control. The rest of them are mostly psychopaths."

Klein fell into his usual mess of random thoughts and ideas flowing through his mind at astonishing speeds and chaotic directions. Max decided that he needed to talk a bit more to actually influence the Beyonders present here. After all, just simply interacting with them was not enough. He had to change their view of the world and others, as well as their courses of action.

"Well, the True Creator did come from the… not-so-nice aspect of a certain someone whose name is better left unsaid. In a sense, He is the fallen aspect of this certain someone, while another someone is the good of that certain someone after that certain someone was killed. It's best to stay away from Him though. In fact, it is best to stay away from most Secret organisations unless you have a strong enough backing since most of them hold terrifying secrets that simply cannot be said out in the open. Some secrets so horrifying that perhaps even Mr. Fool's protection cannot save us during such a conversation."

Klein's pupils constricted at those words, but it was hidden by the fog. If Max was able to see through the fog, he would have simply shrugged as thought to himself, 'He does tend to do that a lot…' Meanwhile, Alger simply fell silent as he had been taught about how certain knowledge could lead to losing control. Just knowing things could kill you, and when he had been taught that at the church, he had felt his scalp fall numb. Thankfully, it had been quite some time since then, and he had grown aware of this fact and largely accepted it.

Seeing the Fool and Alger fall silent at those words, Audrey gulped before asking both hesitantly and curiously.

"That sounds scary. Mr. Hanged Man, Mr. Death, could you share, in detail, information about each, and every mysterious organization? And also, the matters regarding each secret cult? It's hard for me to come into contact with them during my daily life. I can only understand them through both of you. I'm willing to pay for it. May I know what you'd like in return?"

Max just shook his head before turning to Alger. He could answer this question, but it would change too much since Alger might not receive the money he desperately needed.

And right on cue, Mr. Hanged Man spoke.

"I need money- a thousand pounds. It would be best if they weren't bills. Or maybe gemstones that have just been unearthed. Price them according to the Backlund Jewellery Exchange's monthly average price."

"A thousand pounds?" Audrey asked, sounding shocked. Then she replied happily, "No problem. Do I send it to the previous address?"

"Yes, the Warriors & Sea Bar at Pelican Street, in the White Rose Borough of Pritz Harbour. Tell the boss, Williams that it's what the captain wants."

"Alright then, Mr Hanged Man, you can start now," Audrey said while sitting up a bit straighter to pay more attention. Meanwhile, Klein waved his finger and grey fog surrounded both Alger and Audrey inside, leaving Max and Klein outside, but the latter was able to see and hear everything inside.

While Alger began his explanations about the various unofficial Beyonder organisations and cults, Max turned to the Fool and whispered.

"They can't hear me can they?" 

Klein, who was originally intent on listening to the conversation Alger was having had to split his attention in two places to listen and respond to Max. Thankfully, with Dream divination coupled with his superior memories and the powers of the Foggy castle, Klein should now have no problem recalling every single word spoken by Alger at a later time.

Klein spoke softly but resolutely as though it was setting into finality an ambiguous event.

"No."

"Good. I have something important to tell you, Mr. Fool. I recently went to Tingen for a while to handle some personal matters. I would like to tell you two things that are rather important, followed by a chance to exchange for two exchanges of equal value when I need to, by my own decision. Is that alright?"

Max was inwardly smirking since he was trying his best to look like someone who was feeling a little scared of a God like The Fool.

"Sure. But the exchanges that you want will only be of equal value."

"Thank you. Well, the first thing I would like to inform you is that something big is going to happen in Tingen. I am not privy to a lot of information, and some I cannot possibly disclose, but all in all, it involves very powerful beings. Anyways, this information may be useful to you and the reason or that is related to my second piece of information."

Klein did not bother to stop Max, but he was already more interested in the talk with Max than he was listening to Mr. Hanged Man's description. Still, he did not forget to continue to pay attention to it so as to recall it later and listen to everything properly.

"In Tingen, I came across what I can only assume to be your follower. His name is Klein Moretti, and if he is indeed your follower, I suggest putting some more powerful Beyonders as protection for him. Nothing too drastic should be coming up anytime soon, but it's better to be careful. Also, forcing him to immediately leave Tingen will make his situation worse, since there are powers that have influenced his fate beyond what I can observe."

"As you know, fate is not something so easily tampered with, so his fate being so twisted is definitely not natural. Still, the very fact that he is alive would allude to the powers influencing him being more on the benevolent side. It should not be too much for him."

"Of course, I can offer my services to protect him in secret, but not only will that cost him, or you, but it will also be very troublesome since he seems to already be part of the Nighthawks. Plus, doing this would definitely expose my identity as a Beyonder to the official organisations, so I prefer not to do this. But I have already said my piece. The rest is up to you. Ah! It seems Mr. Hanged Man should be nearing the end of his explanation.

After a bit of further discussion Klein ended the meeting.

"By your will." Max, Audrey and Alger said as they all stood up and bowed to Klein, before their figures turned ethereal and vanished, returning to red spots on the greyish-white fog. Klein did not realise that a bit more of the black substance had oozed out of Max's chair and fell to the ground, still as inert as always, because he was too busy thinking about the various implications of Max's words.