Thomas stood before what he could only describe as a rend in the void itself, a tear in the space-ti continuum. The portal crackled and frizzled the air around it, and its arrival was heralded by a sound that resembled a gunshot, except it was far louder.
He could see nothing beyond a dark-purple mbrane that seed to be porous at first glance. A horrible realization struck him as he replayed the bearded mans words in his mind was he expected to go through the portal?
Fuck. Fuck no, Im not doing that, Tom hastily stepped away from the portal, only to collide against what felt like a brick wall.
Listen kid, youll be fine. Just dont do anything stupid and an Academy rep will be on their way to you in minutes, The bearded mans tone seed to be far warr than before, a welco change.
That still didnt change Toms mind, though.
Is there danger on the other side? Tom asked.
Danger? Ha, kid, theres plenty of danger on your side too, yknow. Didnt you just save a bunch of people from an ard psychopath?
Tom clicked his tongue. The bearded man had a point.
Besides, whats keeping you here anyway? You have no living family left, well, not any that give a fuck about you. Here youll be stacking shelves for the rest of your life. Nothin wrong with that, mind you but you made your choice when you saved the girl. You proved that you want more in life, that you seek sothing greater, The old man patted Tom on the back, before finishing his spiel, Well that lies on the other side.
Shit, Tom thought. He was actually beginning to be swayed by the man. Not that he thought he had a choice in the first place, the bearded man had made it clear that he didnt give a damn about his own agency in the matter.
Why ? Why not choose soone., Tom didnt finish the sentence, but both understood what he t. Soone better. Soone faster. Soone stronger. Soone. not him.
A Soul Card chooses its master, kid. The will of the cards led to this planet and it took twenty godforesaken years to find the first chosen. There are two more that I have yet to discover.
Im sorry but why do you listen to cards?
The bearded man let out a guffaw at Toms words, as if he had heard a particularly humorous joke.
Soul Cards are no toys, kid. They are fragnts of divinity. Not that I expect you to understand, but not everyone on the other side is worthy of possessing a powerful soul card.
Okay.. okay, fine. I dont care about that. First, tell where this portal goes, Tom blotted out irrelevant information from his mind, only interested in imdiate concerns.
I, the bearded man scratched the back of his head, ...am not sure. [The Traveller] card lets travel to the furthest reaches of the universe, but it does not truly belong to . But you should land sowhere within the territory of the Syrlore Kingdom, the victor of the Jackpot this ti around.
You dont know? Tom buried his head in the palm of his hand. Fine then, how the fuck will they find then?
Ah, you neednt be bothered about that, the bearded old man pulled out a tal Deckholder that had runic markings etched upon its silver sheen. He withdrew an unimpressive looking paper card that had an inverted T symbol drawn upon it, a snake coiled around the vertical axis. He pressed it against Toms chest and itvanished inwards? Disappeared?
What did you do to ? Tom asked, feeling no different.
Drop the suspicion, will you? Its a disposable tracking card. The mont you reach Artezia, itll let the [Syrlore Academy] know.
Okay, okay, Tom muttered under his breath. If.. I have to go,-
You have to. Not negotiable.
Fine, then I want a weapon, Tom blurted out, refusing to go without so manner of protection.
Trying to get a freebie, eh? Well, I dont mind a little ambition, The bearded man gave an approving nod, before pulling at the hilt of his lacquered cane. A thin, sharp rapier revealed itself, shining under the glare of the fluorescent lights.
Is that a magical weapon? Tom asked, with wondernt in his eyes.
....What? The bearded man replied, confused. No, I got it off a pawnshop. It matched my aesthetic.
....., Tom snatched the rapier from the bearded mans hands, slightly blushing from embarrassnt. Give your gun, too, he demanded.
Hmm. No cant do, kid. Cant have you shooting the people who co for you. Not all of us are invulnerable to bullets, you know.
Fine, Tom sighed.
Oh right, kid. Whats that? The bearded man pointed at the ceiling, his expression one on interest.
Tom followed his gaze with curiosity, but seed to find nothing of interest but the ceiling.
A swift kick landed on his back, sending him stumbling forward.
Fuuuuuuuck no, Tom protested his mind, as he flew straight into the portal.
An amused Classic, was the last word he heard.
The transfer was nigh-instantaneous as Tom stumbled forward onto the other side. He landed hands forward on what felt like soft, grassy earth that muffled his fall. His grip on his rapier was still firm, and he had enough ntal awareness to not have it cut himself accidentally.
He took his first breath of air, causing his eyes to widen in shock. The air was so clean. As if.. Pollution was not yet a concept that existed in this world. No.. that was not all. The air seed to purify him, the effect so weak that it could be mistaken for ones imagination, but Tom did not think so.
He warily got back up onto his feet, his expression wary as he scanned the environnt.
He was in a lush forest. Except the trees were way to fall, the grass was purple and the chittering of insect life was suspiciously absent. He looked up into the sky and winced. Atleast there was still a sun, though instinctively it felt different strange, unfamiliar from his own sun. Tom hadnt the damnest idea why he could tell, but he could.
A ssage, in card script popped up in front of him, startling him.
[The Divine System welcos The Fool to Artezia.]
[Inventory is now available]
[Player Statistics are now available.]
[Passive Skill Shroud has destroyed a foriegn tracking mark that had been placed upon you by a neutral entity.]
Toms expression was unchanged as he read through the first three notifications, but when his gaze flitted to the fourth.
No. No, no, NO! This this cant be happening
[The Divine System has given you a quest!]
[Quest: Survive.
Alone in an unfamiliar new world, the tracking spell ant to help you has failed due to your own Foolish nature!
Find your way to civilization.
Reward: 1 Common-Rank Offensive Card. 1 Common-Rank Deck Holder.]
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