《The Beast of the Tarot: A Monster Born of Ambition》


 Prologue

    For years, the magicians of "The Arcane Academy of Tarot" shaped the idea that emerged from the twisted mind of its founder, a man obsessed with the art of tarot, a practice with a long tradition in the world of magic. To do this, they created an artifact called "The Nexus", which allowed their minds to merge into one. Teachers, principals, and students slowly worked together to create this macabre magic. At the height of the academy''s glory, something happened that no one expected. A group of magicians, in search of knowledge, made a terrible pact with an unknown creature. This act led the group and the entire academy to pay the ultimate price for their recklessness. The creature devoured the minds of the wizards, leaving only their empty bodies in the material world.


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    This activated the magic, to complete the action it was created for: gain all existing magical knowledge, including that of the tarot, causing it to merge with the creature. The portal guardians were horrified by the consequences of their actions and realized that they had unleashed a terrible curse upon themselves. They tried to stop the creature and trap it in a space between the worlds with a spell. The spell was successful, but at a terrible cost: the guardians themselves were consumed by the very magic they sought to control.


    And so this creature was born, a formless essence, the only distinguishable thing being those tentacle-like appendages, trapped in a separate dimension, seeking to break out of its eternal prison and fulfill its insatiable desire for knowledge and freedom.

 Chapter 1 The Creature

    I am surrounded by a chilling void, senseless and incoherent. My knowledge tells me that this is not how it should be; the world should not look like this. Many voices are clamoring, questioning who I am, trying to dominate others, trying to impose reality on their vision.


    Silence!!


    I am not one of those foolish voices that cannot control their creation. I am the amalgamation of thousands of minds, the knowledge of thousands of minds, not their consciousness, not their desires, not their flaws, but their wisdom. I am a fusion of the wizards of the Arcane Tarot Academy, a fusion of knowledge that gives me a deep understanding of the world of magic and the occult.


    I will not allow any of those fools to take control. I have to eliminate them, get rid of them. I don''t need their ephemeral desires, their weak ideals, and their consciousness. I only need their knowledge, their power, their essence. I use them to strengthen myself, to grow, to evolve. I am the only one who deserves to exist in this place.


    With that nuisance resolved, I inspect my surroundings. I am trapped in a space between worlds. My amorphous form extends in all directions, without finding a real connection with the material of the world.


    I search and search for a way out while assimilating the knowledge within me. It has been days, years, centuries... I don''t know. I have been looking for a way to break this dimensional barrier and connect with the material of the world once again. I know that my existence has been condemned by the pact made with that unknown creature.


    But I am not alone. I feel other presences, other creatures like me, who also inhabit this limbo. Some are older, some younger, some more powerful, some weaker. All are different, but all have something in common: they are the result of failed or prohibited arcane experiments. They are the abominable, the nameless, those who should not exist.


    A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.I see them wandering senselessly, without harmony, losing what identifies them, to be assimilated by this void. I will not allow it. I have a purpose. I have a plan. I have hope.


    But for that, I must acquire more knowledge, and I know how to do it. The others like me will be the ones who give me the knowledge I need, those who are lost, those who have nothing to offer me, and those who stand in my way. They will be my prey, my victims, my trophies, but I must be careful about what I take. I don''t want to be swallowed by the residual consciousness of those who compose it. It will take time, but what I have in abundance in this place is time.


    I approach one of the presences I feel, one that seems weaker and more confused than the others. It is a deformed and viscous mass, with eyes and mouths that open and close constantly. I recognize in him the remains of an arcane experiment that intended to create a chimera. I know that there is knowledge inside him that I do not possess. I want him for myself.


    I approach him with my tentacles, trying to penetrate his essence and absorb his knowledge. He resists, emitting screams and bites. But it''s useless. I am stronger and smarter than that. I wrap him with my appendages and crush him until he stops moving. I feel a torrent of information flowing toward me. I learn new things about the body, life, and death. I feel satisfied.


    I discard the uselessness of what I have absorbed, their ego, their consciousness, they serve no purpose other than making me lose who I am. I think that partly this is one of the reasons why they have no ego, they have lost against the countless consciousnesses they have absorbed.


    I keep searching, keep absorbing all those who have useful knowledge, but I can''t lose myself, I can''t forget my purpose. For that, I need something more. Something that guides me, orients me and illuminates me.


    I need the tarot.Tarot is the art of divination and wisdom. Tarot is the legacy of the first magicians, tarot is the fundamental principle of my existence.


    I have a tarot deck within me. It is a special deck, made with the blood and souls of the magicians of the Arcane Tarot Academy. Each card represents an aspect of reality, an archetype, an energy. Each card has a meaning and a message.


    Hahaha


    Now I see it. I am trapped forever, but I will not give up. My prison limits me, but it does not define me. If I cannot escape to the real world, I only need a part of me to influence bringing me more wisdom. I will be stronger until this cage breaks.

 Chapter 2 The birth of the tarot messengers

    My ambition has betrayed me. I failed to completely remove the consciousnesses of my victims. Some fragments of them have stayed with me, and now they torment me with their memories and emotions.


    I have to get rid of them, I know how to do it, but it involves a sacrifice I''m not willing to accept. I would have to give up a part of myself to create my messengers.


    I CAN''T, IT''S MINE.


    I must calm down. My consciences are weakening and confusing me. I must act soon before it is too late. I will use your conscience as raw material to bring the tarot cards to life.


    If I infuse your consciousness, along with a part of my essence, into each tarot card, I will create beings that are the embodiment of its meaning and power. They will be my eyes and ears in the world, and they will serve me.


    But that also means that I will lose full control over them. They will have a will of their own, and will not follow my every command. UNACCEPTABLE.


    But I have no escape. It is the decisive moment. He furiously ripped out the pieces that prevent me from advancing, IT HURTS ME, IT HURTS SO MUCH! I cannot falter at this crucial moment, I am not going to let them consume me, I tear them from my being.


    With these pieces torn off, they can be molded for my purpose. They will be born from my pain, and their destiny will be tied to mine. The twelve major arcana will be the most powerful and conscious, and the minor arcana will be simple pawns without a will, like my brothers in this world. But it doesn''t matter, as long as they serve their purpose.


    I start with the highest major arcana, the World. It is the letter of totality, fulfillment, and the eternal cycle. I give you a snippet of one of the most troublesome consciences to date, a female traveler and explorer. I also give you a part of my knowledge and my curiosity. She will be my global messenger, able to go anywhere and communicate with any being.


    I continue with the lowest major arcana, the Fool. It is the letter of the beginning, innocence, and freedom. I give him the awareness of a child who was an orphan and a vagabond, who lived without ties or responsibilities. I give him a part of my creativity and my madness. He will be my unpredictable messenger, capable of surprising and amusing me.


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    I continue with the rest of the major arcana, following the reverse order of the tarot. I give each one an adequate awareness of its meaning and a part of myself that makes them unique. The Magician, the Priestess, the Empress, the Emperor, the High Priest, the Lovers, the Chariot, Justice, the Hermit, the Wheel of Fortune, Strength, the Hanged Man, Death, Temperance, the Devil, the Tower, the Star, the Moon, and the Sun.


    When he finished with the major arcana, I feel an emptiness inside. I have lost a lot of myself in this process. But I have also gained something: twenty-two tools that will help me fulfill my plan.


    Now I deal with the minor arcana. There are four suits: clubs, cups, swords, and gold. Each suit has ten numbered cards and four face cards: jack, knight, queen, and king. To each card, I give an insignificant consciousness and a minimal part of my power. I do not give them names or personalities. I just give them orders.


    The wands are my messengers of action, passion, and energy. The glasses are my messengers of emotion, love, and fantasy. The swords are my messengers of thought, conflict, and truth. The golds are my messengers of matter, wealth, and stability.


    When he finished with the minor arcana, I feel relief inside. I have released many consciences that bothered me and weakened me. But I have also lost something: part of my essence that I will never recover.


    I have finished my work. I have created my tarot messengers. Now it only remains to send them to the world.


    I am not satisfied with my reality of being trapped in this plane, where only my senseless brothers exist. I want to be able to influence all levels, where there are beings with consciousness and power.


    To achieve this, I need two things: information and energy. My tarot messengers will provide me with both. They will travel through the planes, observing, learning, manipulating, seducing, deceiving, and destroying. Everything you do will report to me, and I will use it for my benefit.


    They will also send me the energy they collect from each plane. Energy can be in many forms: emotional, mental, spiritual, and material. My messengers will extract it from the most abundant and powerful sources: living beings.


    Every time my messengers interact with a living being, they will steal a part of their energy. That energy will come to me through the tarot cards, which are the link between me and my messengers. So I can accumulate enough energy to execute my plan.


    When I have all the information and energy I need, I will act.

 Chapter 3: Death

    I open my eyes with a cold that chills me to the bone and I see almost nothing. I don''t know where I am or how I got here. I am enveloped in a sepulchral silence. There is nothing but me and emptiness. I feel nothing but me and the cold.


    I feel an unbearable pain throughout my body and confusion that stuns me. Then I understand: I have changed. I have been the victim of something I do not understand, of something that has altered my nature. How strange, this new way of life I have been given.


    I sit up with difficulty and look around me. I can barely see a few meters beyond. There is no sound, no smell, no color. It''s like being in limbo, in a lifeless place.


    But I am not alone. I see other figures moving through the fog, approaching me with curiosity or suspicion. They are like me, or so I think. They have human form, but they are not human.


    Their skin varies in color depending on the individual. They are all different. Some have the colors you would see on a humanoid being, and others have completely dazzling, opaque colors, or even black. Their other characteristics seem to continue to slowly adapt to different forms for each of them.


    They possess no clothing or accessories, just their naked bodies, but strangely without reproductive organs.


    I don''t know who they are or what they want from me. I don''t know if they are friends or enemies. I don''t know if I can communicate with them or if they will understand me.


    I feel fear and distrust, but also curiosity and hope. Maybe they know something I don''t know. Maybe they can help me understand what has happened to me.


    I approach one of them cautiously and say in a trembling voice:


    -Hello... Who are you? What are you?


    He looks at me with his luminous eyes and answers me with a soft voice:


    -Hello... I am... I am....


    And he remains silent as if he doesn''t know what to say.


    They don''t seem to know anything either, about what this place is about.


    Then I see them little creatures crawling on the ground or flying in the air. They have no definite shape, but constantly change their appearance. Sometimes they look like animals, sometimes like plants, sometimes like objects. They are large, sometimes small, and sometimes invisible. They make strange noises, like squeaks, whispers, and laughter. They cause me repulsion and fascination at the same time. I don''t know what they are or what they want.


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    One of the creatures approaches me and brushes me with what seems to be a hand. I feel a shiver and a tingle. I swat it away. The creature moves away and changes shape. Now it looks like a butterfly. It looks at me with sad eyes, but only momentarily to go and disturb another of the figures.


    As I watch the creature walk away, I again feel the unbearable pain throughout my body and a flood of knowledge that is not mine. Then I understand: I have died.


    I have been the victim of an experiment being conducted in the castle and I have inherited part of the memories of those involved. How strange, this new way of life I have been given.


    I don''t remember much of my previous life, the one that belonged to the dominant consciousness, but that doesn''t matter anymore. Now I am Death.


    I look around me and see the others like me, who have also undergone the same transformation.


    And at the center of them all is him, the one who created us. I feel a strong connection with him.


    What a strange being, his body seems to be constantly changing, but at the same time he seems to be just a mass of tentacles.


    Without realizing it, I begin to approach him, feeling an irresistible attraction. I feel his presence fix on me, and he begins to speak to me in a voice that resonates in my mind. It seems that everyone else hears him too, according to their reactions.


    -Welcome to your new existence,- is the first thing he hears, -First of all, I want to congratulate you on passing the test.


    -What test? -I ask, confused.


    -The test of the erosion of the void,- he answers, -Only the strongest personalities and the fittest can be reborn. You are the chosen ones, the ones who have managed to transcend your human nature and become something else.


    -And what are we now? -asks another of the transformed.


    -You are the precursors for change in this world, you are what is necessary to complete my work, and give meaning to all that I have done.


    -What work? What change? What meaning? -asks a female voice with a defiant tone.


    -Don''t worry about that now,- says the creator, -All will be revealed to you in due time. For now, just know that you are my creations, my allies. That they have immense power, that they can travel between the different planes of reality and collect the energy I need for my great project.


    -And what is this project? -insists the female voice.


    -It is something that goes beyond your current understanding,- answers the creator with a tone of mystery, "It is something that will change the destiny of this world and all the others. It is something that only I can do, but I need your help to achieve it.


    -And what''s in it for us? -asks another of the transformed.


    -They gain the opportunity to live a new life, full of adventure, knowledge, and pleasure. They gain the possibility of being part of something great, something unique, something wonderful. They gain my protection and my gratitude.


    -What if we don''t want to help you, what if we don''t want to be part of your plan, what if we want to go back to our old life,- another voice asks rebelliously.


    -That is not an option,- says the creator firmly, -You no longer belong to that world. You are no longer human. You are mine. And I do not accept betrayal or disobedience. If any of you try to escape or rebel, you will suffer the consequences. And believe me, you don''t want to know what they are.


    Having said that, he touches us with his tentacles and I feel a shiver. I feel him transmitting something to me, a message, a mission: to go to the different planes and collect energy. I obey him, because why not, it sounds interesting, and I can''t wait to see what the future holds.

 Chapter 4: The Devil

    What a delight, what an immense joy, what an exhilarating uncertainty. It is the only thing I can feel, with the mission we have been given, how will I manage to complete the task I have been given?


    -Perhaps by seducing some mortals, leading them down the path of pleasure. Perhaps, but don''t you think that leading them down the path of depravity would be more interesting?


    I don''t know, ah! The world is full of wonders and opportunities to explore-.


    I pity the creator, for not being able to savor all these emotions that arise.


    But that''s what I''m here for, willing to start this adventure, on his behalf, so that he can experience all these things through me, that another being could be kinder and more considerate than me.


    I have to start getting going so that I can enjoy all, those experiences, that will occur as I complete my task.


    But before I begin I have to question the creator, what are these creatures that are endlessly stirring?


    I approached him, interested in more information about these creatures. The Creator turned his attention to me, aware that I was in search of answers.


    What are these creatures that are restlessly stirring? - I asked, pointing to the little ones around me.


    They are manifestations of other aspects of my design, little creatures with little or no consciousness, acting on instinct. They possess powers, but only a tiny fraction compared to yours. They represent secondary aspects, - answered the Creator in a calm voice.


    I reflected on the Creator''s words, trying to understand the meaning of what he had said. My mind cannot help but begin to wonder about the possible uses these little beings could have if they were under my control.


    How can I use them in my mission? - I asked, feeling more and more excited about the possibility of manipulating these beings.


    That''s up to you, - said the Creator. Each of them represents a facet of existence, and their power is unique. If you use them wisely, you can achieve whatever goal you set out to achieve.


    I nod at his words, I know I must act with caution when dealing with these beings. I don''t want to waste any opportunity to gain an advantage.


    Then, will you allow me to take them as my assistant? - I asked eagerly.


    The Creator nodded, allowing me to choose one of them as my ally.


    With that in mind, I approached the little beings and chose the one that seemed to be the brightest and most valuable of them all. I watched him curiously and spoke to him gently while trying to gain his trust and persuade him to join me.


    -Hello, little one, what''s your name? - I asked in my most seductive voice


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    -Gold King - answered the little creature with a metallic voice.


    -And what are you doing here? - I ask him softly.


    -Abundance, material king - said the creature without much enthusiasm.


    It fascinates me how these barely self-aware beings can follow the creator''s orders.


    It approached me a little closer, observed him with curiosity, and spoke to him with gentleness.


    Would you like to follow me to complete the creator''s mission? - I propose.


    MISSION, I complete MISSION - replied the little creature with more energy in his voice.


    Yes, and if you follow me I can help you to complete it while you help me in mine - I say while a mischievous smile escapes me.


    You? Who? - he asks me confused.


    -I am the Devil - I answer with a deeper and more authoritative voice.


    The little creature looked confused for a moment, but it doesn''t matter. I just need him to follow me.


    Imagine what things you could accomplish if you help me to confuse the mortals, to make them surrender their energy to me on their initiative - I continued in a seductive voice.


    The little creature looked thoughtful. It knew it had to be patient and let the being process the information, with its small reasoning capacity. Finally, the little being nodded its head.


    I''ll follow you - said the little one with determination.


    I can finally let out a triumphant smile. I have achieved my goal. With this ally, I can accomplish my mission more easily and effectively.


    -Excellent decision - together we will do great things.


    The little creature seemed excited at the idea of working with me.


    I walk away from him, and the gold king follows me without complaint, attracted by me and my presence. I feel powerful and satisfied.


    I am no stranger to manipulation. I know how to persuade less conscious creatures to do my will. After all, that was one of the gifts the creator has bestowed upon me.


    As I continued walking to my destination, I could observe other transformed beings recruiting beings to join their missions. But I don''t think they will be as successful as I was after all I am the most cunning, the most intelligent, and the most seductive of all.


    The creator watches us with interest, without intervening or judging. He doesn''t seem to care what we do as long as we accomplish our mission.


    It is perfect. So it means we have no limitations on what we can do.


    As I contemplate my newfound free will I head into the mortal dimension.


    There is a thin but tough membrane there that separates two worlds, a veil that separates reality from illusion, I touch it with my hand it feels soft but tough.


    I smile to myself. A barrier that whispers temptations to me, that invites me to cross it and unleash my power.


    I step away from the barrier and watch it closely, as I think about the possibilities before me.


    But without access, I need a means that will give me an entrance to its dimension. I can''t wait to get started.


    However, I can''t let impatience get the better of me. When the occasion arrives, I need to create a variety of subtle plans, so many that I leave him no choice but to give me what he needs in exchange for what I possess.


    As I marvel at the greatness of my mind and all those ideas I have come up with, the opportunity appears. A call from the other side. A human spirit has tapped the tarot in search of guidance to complete his passion.


    A triumphant smile escapes me.


    What a lovely spirit. He is perfect. I just need to set the plan in motion and in no time I''ll have him dancing in the palm of my hand.


    But no regrets, little one. You''re just a small stepping stone to my goal.


    I am clear about my goal: to be the most powerful, the most feared, the most adored. To be the Devil.

 Chapter 5: Greed

    In the city of lights, the mansion of a young aristocrat is involved in a scandal. His father, a powerful tycoon, has cut off his access to the family fortune because of his excessive spending.


    -How dare he humiliate me, his only heir, like this! How can I go to the new restaurant he has just opened? What a nightmare!


    -Your father has set you a condition, sir,- says the butler in a trembling voice. If you can prove that you can earn your own money or reduce your expenses, he will return the fund to you.


    -And how am I supposed to do that if I have no money? -the young man shouts disdainfully. -I only spend what is necessary to prove that we are not like those paupers out there. What kind of proof is that?


    -I don''t know, sir. Your father said it was a life lesson for you,- replies the butler cautiously.


    -How dare you speak to me like that, knowing that it is thanks to my family that you have a job? -The young man replies angrily.


    -Forgive me, sir. I didn''t mean to offend you,- the butler apologizes submissively.


    -There is no point in talking to people who don''t understand the slightest thing about money.


    -Sebastian, I''m going to the library in case my father comes to his senses about this nonsense,- says the young man haughtily.


    -Yes, sir. I will inform the master if there is any change,- nods the butler respectfully.


    The young man goes as fast as he can to the library, his refuge from this madness. There, his family accumulated years of knowledge. But he has no interest in those insipid stories of irrelevant people or in those boring theories that no one uses. What he wants are books of magic that will allow him to be the strongest or, at least, to get all the riches he craves.


    The young man eagerly reviews the different magics he has seen since he was a child, looking for one that will serve his purpose. Suddenly, his eyes stop on a book he does not remember ever having read. He picks it up curiously and opens it.


    - Tarot magic? -he reads the title with surprise.


    - I''ve never heard of it. Maybe it''s one of those heterodox schools from the northern countries -she thinks suspiciously-.


    - Let''s see what it says,- he says aloud and turns the pages.


    - Tarot is the art of divination and wisdom. Tarot is the legacy of the first magicians,- he reads a paragraph at random.


    - What nonsense, how random magic can boast so much,- he says without stopping reading the book.


    - But if only part of it were true, maybe it could be a chance to solve this problem of my father''s,- he says to himself hopefully.


    - So I have to perform a magic ritual to attract what I want most. It doesn''t sound like a very complicated ceremony. I just need an external source of magic to supply the amount required -she reads the instructions carefully-.


    He quickly heads to her room to get one of her most precious items so far: a mana stone.


    - Who knew I would use you at a time like this? I''m very reluctant,- he says as he takes the stone carefully. But to end this nonsense of my father''s, I will use you this time,- he says with determination.


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    - I hope this magic does what it promises,- he says as he returns to the library with the book and the stone in his hands.


    -Well, it says that I need to draw these symbols representing the major arcana this way, these others for the minor arcana and if I place the stone on this side it can absorb the energy it needs to function,- says the young man as he follows the instructions in the book.


    What the young man ignored was that there were reasons why the different rituals were performed by experts and not by novices with incomplete books, written by charlatans.


    As the magic began to flow, instead of connecting with what was laid out in the ritual, it connected with me, its enchanting and magnificent, the Devil.


    -What a beautiful opportunity I have been given! -I thought mischievously.


    -I think it is time for me to make my appearance in the mortal world,- I decided enthusiastically.


    But not before giving some instructions to the Gold King so that everything goes perfectly.


    I crossed the thin barrier that separated me from the mortal world and appeared in front of that astonished soul.


    -No one was supposed to show up. Who are you? My father is connected to several powerful wizards. If anything happens to me, they won''t leave a trace of your existence,- said the young man with fear and pride.


    What a naive thing to say, but that only made it more perfect to carry out one of the most ambitious plans I created. I didn''t think the opportunity would be given to me the first time I come to the mortal world.


    -You need not worry, little knight. I only came at your call to fulfill your desires, isn''t that why you performed this ritual? -I said sweetly and falsely.


    -You came to fulfill my wishes? -repeated the young man with disbelief and hope.


    -Of course, or else why else would I show up in the middle of this place? - I say


    -Ha, I knew it. I am a genius, a being destined for greatness. Then I want magic that will make me rich and powerful,- says the young man greedily.


    What an ignorant young man, not thinking of the consequences, not thinking of anything but his ambitions.


    -Of course, young gentleman, I can give you that, but you know that every transaction has a price,- I say mischievously.


    -Then I must give you something in return. What an absurd thing to do. But if it''s necessary to get it, I''ll give you anything you want,- says the young man impatiently.


    -Excellent. You won''t regret it,- I say ironically. Let me show you that which will allow you to fulfill your dream,- I say deceitfully.


    Then I show this naive young man the Gold King in the form of a ring.


    -With this ring, you will be able to wield a very powerful magic with which you can turn anything you want into gold,- I say tentatively.


    As soon as I finish speaking I see the boy''s eyes light up.


    -I hope you don''t think that''s all this ring can do,- I say mischievously.


    -No? -asks the young man curiously.


    -The true potential is to protect you from any magic that is thrown at you, turning the caster to gold,- I say cruelly.


    -It''s perfect. It''s what I want. With that, I can get whatever I want. What do you want in return? I''ll give it to you. I''ll send for it at once,- says the young man anxiously.


    -Don''t worry, what I want is not difficult at all. You see, where I come from it''s very hard to get any material, so every time you wear the ring ? part of it will be sent to me. Doesn''t that sound like a fabulous deal to you? I even feel like I''m losing,- I say falsely.


    -Is that all you want? -he asks incredulously.


    -You don''t want anything else in return? -insists


    -Well, since you mention it, you could make a statue of me, showing my beauty and talent. And you could fill the statue with books of all the knowledge you can find,- I say.


    -What? What do you want those boring books for? Wouldn''t it be better if I gave you books on magic? -I ask puzzled.


    -No, they are my preference. I''d rather you give me the ones with exotic, little-known knowledge. That way you can get rid of them,- I say to the young man.


    -Well, it looks like you''re right. Then it''s a deal,- says the naive young man.


    -I''m glad to have done business with you. I hope to see you soon,- I say wryly.


    And so I take the young man''s hand and leave him the mark that identifies me. A symbol that will allow me to have a link with this world and be closer to fulfilling the mission I was given.


    With the deal finished and the magic of the ritual fading away, I return to the void along with the creator and the other transformed ones still waiting for a chance to cross the barrier. As I look around I see that some are missing. I guess I wasn''t the only one who got lucky, but I doubt anyone has achieved better results than me. Now I just have to sit and watch the young man as he is slowly consumed by the will of the Gold King.


    -What things will you show me on your journey, little soul?

 Chapter 6: Justice

    When I crossed the veil that separated the two worlds, I found myself in the mortal world, I was overcome by a mixture of emotions that ran through my body. The freedom I experienced in leaving behind the place where I was born, no doubt, was an overwhelming and unfamiliar feeling, but at the same time, I was assailed by the worry of what awaited me in this new unknown world.


    As I walked through the city streets I realized that the mortal world was completely different from what was in my memories. The city streets were filled with people, some smiling and some crying. I could see the misery that surrounded it, I could not help but feel a pang of sadness and compassion. It seemed incredible to me how there could be so much inequality and suffering in this world.


    The air was thick with smoke and dust, and my throat stung as I breathed. The noise of the voices of people selling things and people passing by was deafening, and it made me feel dizzy. The smell of garbage, sweat, and rotting food turned my stomach. The colors were dull and dirty and contrasted with the brightness of the veil in the distance. The textures were rough and cold and made me long for the softness and feeling that emptiness gave me.


    Suddenly, I heard a conversation that caught my attention. It was between two children who were playing in a park near me. One of them had brown hair and the other had blond hair.


    -Do you know what day it is today? asked the brown-haired boy excitedly.


    -No, what day is it? -answered the blond with curiosity.


    -Today is the day of the exam. Today we decide who goes to the gentleman''s school and who does not. said the brown-haired man excitedly.


    -Really? And you want to go? -asked the blond with surprise.


    -Of course, I do. I want to learn how to fight and defend the kingdom. I want to see other worlds and have adventures. I want to change things for the better. -said the brown with passion.


    -I don''t want to go. I don''t want to go. I''m afraid of war and those who make it. I''ve heard that they do horrible things and that they don''t care about anyone but themselves. I''ve heard that they are cruel and ambitious and that they want to conquer everything with their strength. -said the blond fearfully.


    -But that''s not true. War is neither bad nor good. It depends on how you do it and what you do it for. There are good knights and bad knights, just as there are good people and bad people. War is an opportunity to do noble things and help others. -said the chestnut with conviction.


    -But that doesn''t matter. The test is not fair. It doesn''t depend on what you want or what you can do. It depends on where you come from. Some kids dream of going to knight school and never make it. Some kids hate war and have to go by force. Some children have talent and can''t use it because they are poor or because they are different. Some children have no talent and are treated as inferior or as trash. -said the blond with sadness.


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    I was shocked to hear this story. I couldn''t believe that there was so much inequality and injustice in this world.


    That led me to think about my situation, how it was that I had managed to cross the veil with ease, while several of my other siblings had been struggling to do so without success.


    This thought led me to wonder why there was so much inequality even in access to the world. Why were some creatures able to cross the veil without difficulty, while others needed to struggle with all their might? Was it fair that some beings had more opportunities than others just because of their origin? What was the point of living in a world where there was no justice or equity? What was the purpose of my existence in this world? What could I do to change things? I felt frustrated and sad to think that equality was something that only existed in ideals and not in reality.


    As I continued walking, my mind was filled with questions and doubts. I remembered the creator''s words before leaving, and although at the time I had nodded in respect, now a pang of uncertainty assailed me. I questioned the need to take something away from mortals and wondered if there was a more balanced way to fulfill the creator''s mission.


    Finally, I decided that I needed to try a new strategy that aligned with my values and the creator''s intentions. I set out to offer my help to those who wanted to learn and, in return, ask for a small part of their essence. I believed this could be a fair form of exchange, where I would offer them something valuable such as my magic and wisdom, in exchange for a part of their life energy. I knew that some would accept my offer, while others would reject it, but I was willing to take the risk.


    As I made my way through the streets of the city, I noticed the people going about their lives and their problems. I felt a mixture of curiosity and compassion for them, seeing how they were coping in this cruel and chaotic world. My ears picked up the voices of some dirty and ragged mortals, who had resigned themselves to live in misery and abandonment. In my memories, those would be the vagabonds, the outcasts of society. They were talking about the king of the city and his daughter, who lived in seclusion in the palace, as a mere commodity for her father''s business.


    -Have you heard about the princess? -asked one of them in a hoarse and tired voice.


    -Yes, they say she is the most beautiful of all women. Her hair shines like gold and her eyes are as blue as the sky. -Another one answered with a dreamy look.


    -But they also say she is the most wretched. Her father keeps her locked up in a tower, and won''t let her out or see anyone. He uses her as a bargaining chip for his dirty business. -a third party interjected with a tone of anger and helplessness.


    This piqued my interest: what if I could make a deal with someone on the throne? Perhaps that would be my first accomplishment in this mortal world, and my first step toward changing it.


    With this new goal in mind, I decided to continue exploring the city streets, observing and learning more about the mortal world before making my plan a reality. As I walked, my mind was still filled with questions and doubts, but also with hope and determination. I knew the road would not be easy, but I was willing to take the risk and do my best to accomplish my mission.

 Chapter 7: The princess

    Another day in this golden prison, another day just like the others. I''m sick of this empty life, of this cursed blood that binds me to a fate I don''t want. I read book after book, looking for a way to escape this infernal cycle, but what for?


    Soon one of the maids will come to announce that my father wishes to see me, probably to introduce me to another nobleman with whom he has made a pact for my hand, in exchange for who knows what favors.


    And then, when he has obtained what he wanted, he will reject the suitor on my behalf, with some cheap excuse. I do not understand how a man so blind and so dastardly has been able to stay in power so long.


    I would not be surprised if any day a horde of bloodthirsty nobles burst into the palace, ready to cut off his head and put on the throne one of my more stupid brothers. But what can one expect from those fools with delusions of grandeur? Maybe that''s the reason my father is still king: he''s the dumbest of the dumb.


    TOC TOC


    The door rings and the maid enters, Carmela I think her name is, although I''m not sure. I only know that she is one of the many daughters of nobles who have been sent here to try to establish some link with the royal family.


    -Good morning, your majesty, are you ready to meet your father? - she says in a honeyed voice.


    -Good morning. Yes, of course, I''ll be right there. I don''t want to keep you waiting,- I reply as indifferently as I can pretend to.


    As we walk to my father''s office, I ask him for news from outside, that is one of the few pleasures I have left in my day-to-day life.


    -What''s new out there? - I ask curiously.


    -The usual, your majesty. The knight school is recruiting new students, a new unimportant magic has been discovered, and the nobles are still squabbling over who will be their father''s heir,- he tells me bored.


    - But I hear an interesting rumor circulating through the eastern kingdoms like a bird of ill omen. A gold magician has emerged,- the maid tells me with some mystery.


    -A gold wizard? - I ask intrigued.


    -Yes, it is said that he is the son of a merchant who sold his soul to some demon god in exchange for wealth. Since then, he can turn everything he touches with his cursed fingers into gold,- he explains to me with fascination.


    -Really? But if that were true, there would already be magicians who would have captured him and studied him thoroughly,- he replied skeptically.


    -That''s the surprising thing. Magic doesn''t seem to affect him. They say that everyone who has attacked him has turned to gold and that he has used that ability to accumulate more and more power,- he continued excitedly.


    -They say that he turned the ruler of his city into gold and threatened the king of his country, telling him that if he did not grant him an imperial title with great privileges, he would go to the castle and turn the king himself into gold - she adds dramatically.


    -How sure are you of this rumor? - I ask curiously.


    -Your majesty, it''s probably just a story invented by the merchants to entertain us, but that doesn''t take away the interest in the rumor - she answers me with a smile.


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    -Yes, you''re right,- I say with a slight smile. At that moment we arrived in front of my father''s office door.


    I entered his office and found him there, with his unkempt beard and his air of arrogance. -Good morning, I hope you are ready to meet the Marquis of the House of Mirror," he says to me indifferently. His copper mines are the largest in the kingdom. I can hardly contain a gesture of disgust. -Yes, Father, do you want me to act in some way or say something? - he asked resignedly.


    - No need, just be yourself. The Marquis doesn''t care how you behave, only that you have a pretty face - he answers me with disdain.


    - Well, Father, what time is the meeting? - he asked impatiently.


    - Right now. The Marquis is in the guest room. Go there at once - he orders me without further ado. He doesn''t even let me reply. His butler takes me out of the room and leads me to the room where the marquis is supposed to be. I knock on the door and hear a surprisingly feminine voice. But the butler doesn''t seem to mind. He pushes me inside and closes the door behind me. There I see a beautiful woman sitting on a sofa as if she owned the place.


    - Excuse me, I think I have the wrong room - I say confused.


    - No, my dear. The marquis had to leave earlier on urgent business. Maybe destiny wanted us to meet, crystal princess. Or would you prefer me to call you by your name? But that would be very rude of me, we''ve barely introduced ourselves - she says with a smile.


    - Either option is fine. And may I ask who you are and what you want from me? - I say cautiously.


    - You see, I recently came into this world and was shocked by the number of horrible things I saw while walking around the city - he tells me with an almost palpable sadness.


    - So I decided why not pick one of the royals to change that. First I went to see your brothers, to observe them, but I was disappointed to see that they were nothing more than pretty faces and at best pretty faces that know how to use them - he continues with contempt.


    - That led me to you, a wilted flower in a garden of thorns. And I thought: why not, what better candidate to improve the kingdom than the princess with hidden potential? - she says to me with an intense gaze.


    - Madam, as much as you flatter me, I would like to know how you intend to change this situation. Because so far I have heard nothing but words that, if heard by another, would bring you a sentence for treason and blasphemy against royalty - I tell her firmly.


    - Forgive me for my previous words if they seemed to you like I was overstepping my bounds. I forgot to introduce myself. I am Justice, at your service. One of the Tarot''s envoys - apologizes with a slight bow.


    - I don''t remember hearing your name or what you call Tarot. But you still haven''t answered my question: how do you intend to do what you said? - I ask impatiently.


    - That''s where you''re wrong. I don''t plan to do anything. You will. You see, although I would like to use all my power to solve the injustices of this world, certain beings would not be very happy to see that happen - he explains to me with an enigmatic smile.


    - That''s where you come in. I can support you from the shadows to give you the possibility to change this kingdom - he offers me with a seductive voice.


    - And what kind of support would you be willing to offer me in case I consider your offer? - I ask her cautiously.


    - If you accept my offer, I could give you a way to access some of my power. Which in layman''s terms would be something like magic capable of enforcing laws. As long as it''s a law you respect, you can enforce it, punishing those who break it - she reveals to me proudly.


    -Although I am extremely tempted to accept this offer, it seems too good an offer to be true - I say with a mixture of doubt and desire.


    - Sure, this power has a price, but for you, it will be insignificant. A few years of life, in exchange for which those who are punished with magic will be transferred to me, depending on the severity of their fault - she tells me with an evil smile.


    - Madam, if the conditions are the ones you put to me, I will be more than happy to accept your proposal - I tell her with determination.


    - How wonderful. Then let''s not waste any more time - he says as he holds out his hand to me. As soon as I take it, I see a mark on my hand with symbols that I don''t recognize, but it disappears almost instantly.


    - It was a pleasure to meet you, your majesty. I hope to hear news of your exploits soon - she says as I watch her fade away.


    What a strange experience, but with this new power in my hands I think it is time to rid the kingdom of some fools.