"I ca into possession of a strange bracelet," the Magician said quietly. "It grants limited access to traverse the spirit world. But ever since I started using it, I hear whispers every full moon. They push toward losing control. During the red moon, it becos unbearable."
She had edited her story with care.
She concealed who she truly was and how she obtained the bracelet. Everything else was honest.
Rowan rcer studied her for a mont.
"So you want to stop the whispers."
She nodded imdiately. "I’ll pay whatever I can. If I don’t have enough now, I’ll find a way later."
Fear lingered beneath her composure. She knew where this path ended. Madness first. Then monstrosity.
Rowan smiled faintly.
"Sothing that allows spirit traversal and triggers full-moon whispers gives a good idea of the source."
Her spine straightened.
"You know what’s causing it?"
"I do." Rowan’s tone remained casual. "The bracelet is contaminated with power from the Gate pathway. That pathway has a ruler. A being known as Bethel Abraham."
Several mbers inhaled sharply.
"Long ago," Rowan continued, "he was exiled beyond the world, stranded on the moon. He has been trying to return ever since. The whispers you hear are echoes of his influence."
The Magician’s hands trembled.
"That ans... I’m being targeted?"
"Indirectly." Rowan waved it off. "It isn’t difficult to fix."
Her breath caught.
"You can solve it?"
"Yes. As for paynt, I’ll collect it from him instead."
Rowan gave her an address.
"Co find at midnight."
Relief flooded her face.
Around the table, the others reevaluated Rowan in silence. They had already believed him to be powerful. Now they realized their estimates had been laughably low. Anyone who spoke of an ancient angel-king as a negotiable inconvenience was not operating on the sa scale as ordinary high-level Beyonders.
Before the eting ended, Rowan added one final instruction.
"Keep searching for cult activity. Preferably involving demigods or higher. Old historical records from the Fourth Epoch are also acceptable."
His gaze lingered briefly on Judgent and the Magician. They frequented underground gatherings. They were ideal scouts.
The Tarot Club adjourned.
Rowan stayed behind to exchange a few words with The Fool.
Klein had successfully advanced to Magician. Leonard had beco a Nightmare. Both would be transferred to Backlund within the month. Dunn, having grasped his acting thod, had advanced as well, though he chose to remain in Tingen.
When midnight arrived, Rowan sensed the Magician waiting outside his building.
A flash of fire.
He appeared before her.
"Good evening, Miss Magician."
"Good evening, Mr. Power."
She wore a pale-yellow high-collared dress, her brown hair falling in soft waves. She bowed with careful respect. Facing what she believed to be an angelic existence, she dared not be casual.
"No need to be stiff," Rowan said lightly.
Flas enveloped them both.
They reappeared in desolate countryside far from Backlund.
"Whatever happens next may be... loud," Rowan said. "Better not do it near a city."
She quickly handed over the bracelet. A strand of blue gemstone beads glimred faintly.
Rowan closed his eyes.
Using the residual imprint inside the bracelet and the hidden mark within her spirituality, he traced the source.
A figure erged within his perception.
A middle-aged man with graying hair and rigid features.
The man noticed the divination imdiately.
His gaze focused.
"Greetings, friend," he said pleasantly.
"Bethel Abraham?" Rowan asked.
A flicker of surprise passed through the man’s eyes.
"I prefer Gate," he replied. "But yes. That is ."
Rowan’s mind peeled back the illusion.
The calm exterior was a shell.
Beneath it writhed madness, corruption, and endless hunger.
"I am trapped in eternal darkness," Gate said gently. "If you free , I will grant you three wishes."
Rowan smiled.
"And how would I free you?"
Gate explained a complex ritual, step by step.
"Complete it, and I can return to this world."
"Sure," Rowan said.
Gate froze.
He had not expected agreent.
The offer had been bait. A doorway for contamination. The sa trick he had once used on Roselle.
Rowan continued.
"But we change the terms."
His smile widened.
"I don’t need wishes. I want the unique authority of the Gate pathway. And the three Key of Stars characteristics."
Silence.
Then Gate laughed softly.
"You have a large appetite."
After a brief pause, he nodded.
"Very well. If you bring back, I will give you everything you ask."
Behind his polite tone, anticipation burned.
Another prey had stepped willingly into his net.
Or so he believed.
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