Chapter 9- Power within

"We're good," I said. Everybody nodded, and I got the signal from Maddie to start. "Then I'll go first. Wish me luck—I'm gonna need that shit."

I grab one of the flipped-over chairs, prop it up properly, then sit down. No matter how weird the situation, it seems the best option is to play by the rules. Everyone grabbed their own chair and sat in front of a card that hasn't been flipped yet

I flipped over the blue card in front of me. It showed:

[RACE: Troll-]

"Hit me," I said, trading the card.

Then I flipped the new, freshly drawn card, hopefully not an ugly-ass monster type race card:

[Race: Half-elf, half-human

Rank: Due to birth, your high-born rank has fallen to royal only in name. Once unlocked, the rights to high-born status will allow you to rank up.

Background: During a time of war, your father was injured in the snowlands of northern Zerlaice at the Battle of Trumirod and was saved by a human lady, his enemy. While healing, both learned to accept and love each other, but your father, a high elf from his kingdom, had to leave. He left his dagger for your mother to defend herself. Unaware of your birth, he left while you learned to deal with beasts and the forests of Zerlaice, your teachers and hunting grounds, until your mother passed on. You were found by the human alliance between human nations and quickly labeled a treasonous act, an abomination, so you went into hiding.]

I looked down at the card; it wasn't the best, but I wasn't ready to gamble again with another "hit me," so I kept it. The words on the card were very tiny; it was quite the hassle, to read.

"Now, do I choose another card, or do we rotate for each player to choose a race card?"

"No, you pick all four, then we rotate," Maddie explained.

"Sounds good," I said and then flipped the red card. My champion card read:

[class: Assassin

title/First wheel turn: Thief apprentice

Rank: Myth

First Skill: Pickpocket - Allows the user, by either touching or casting a short-range spell, to steal any inanimate object up to a weight limit of how much mystic units you expend. without the target noticing.

Second Skill: Sleight of Hand - Increases the dexterity of one's fingers to an extent of bending your fingers without breaking bones and doubles the speed of your hands. An active aspect allows you to create a tiny pickpocket dimension around your wrist, so you can hide or pull any object from your inventory with a flip of your wrist.

Third Skill: Mystic Steal - Can steal someone's skills, within a certain range, for about 1 minute, you gain an understanding to a mastery level. Skills can consist of their target's training, inborn talent, or even their acquired skills from mystic forces.]

I looked at the weapons card, unsure if I needed another "hit me." Should I trade it? It was rare, but I felt that maybe—just maybe—if I did a trade, I could get something better.

"James, I know what you are thinking, but at the start of the game, it's not as important as later. You have more access to equipment later; what you need are weapons reliable weapons above either the rare rank if you got one below then uses your last hit me" Maddie suggested, facing me. How did she see my card? Maybe it was my face, probably giving away that disgusted look I always have when I don't get what I want. Maddie would be good at poker.

Maybe if I showed her my card, she would say if I needed to trade it. So I turned it toward her.

Maddie looked confused.

"James, did you get a blank? There's nothing there."

"Of course not, don't you see the rank 'rare', 'Eternal Daggers'?"

"James, your voice—it's gone," Maddie said, her tone laced with fear.

I too was confused. Was the realm master, or that ghost, silencing me to prevent giving away any information? If so, then the game just got much harder.

"Can you hear me?" I asked.

"Yeah, you're back. What happened?" Maxwell inquired.

I stayed silent; I didn't want to explain because maybe I would get silenced again.

So, I just shook my head and put my finger to my lips. I think they got the message as they looked down.

I didn't want to think about showing any of my cards, so I closed my mouth and flipped my companion card:

[Name: Sly of the Clan

Race: Moonless Furred Fox

Rank: Legendary

Description: Outcast from the tribe, a fox seeks to find its place in the world. Travelling, seeking comfort, yet it has only faced the harsh truths of the world. If it can't find solace and comfort, then it can just take it—from stealing a bear's cave to raiding a dragon's hoard. Sly, the moonless fox, has earned a place among the legendary. To its prey, it's like it doesn't exist—an abnormal animal within the world of Votrianals.]

"Fuck, now this is what I'm talking about! About time my luck hit the jackpot. I'm more than just happy with the deck I have." I gave Maddie a thumbs up; she looked thrilled and seemed to get the message. The realm master can't stop a thumbs up, can he?

It doesn't matter, the next person to flip the cards will be Ellie.