It’s his Ki Rata bullshit. He hasn’t even used his key yet really, other than to re-shape the arena earlier during the battle royale segment.

"The Seer"                                                                          By Onirimancer, aka M. Bergquist                

  Prologue :  At the shore of a crystalline lake, where stones and small fish glimmer in the depths, a dozen birds of strikingly colourful plumage gathered.  Some bathed, some preened, some fished, and some did all of these things and then gathered upon a bowl shaped rock jutting into the lake.  One of the birds cried out, “I’ve caught one ! Yes, I do, I have one !” 

“A fish ?”   

“No – a Story !,” said the reddish-purple bird.  

The others gathered around the rim of the rock. They chanted in their bird song voices, “A Story, A Story !” 

An orange and green bird asked,  “Is this a True Story ?” 

The reddish-purple bird replied, “I don’t know if the story is True – or a Dream.  Maybe things happen this way - or maybe things happen differently. All I really know is how to tell it.  Do you still want to hear it ?” 

A dark blue bird spoke up. “Yes ! Tell the story !” 

    A black and pink bird screeched impatiently, “Tell us !”

In a different voice, the purple-reddish bird told the story.  

    My Early Days

  Children of Rayuba grow up hearing many stories of great battles and heroic fighters. These tales are told by the storytellers who fascinate and entertain us in the great markets.  We children would re-tell the stories in our play, imagining ourselves as those great fighters with their fantastic skills.  At home, my parents preferred to tell the gentle folk tales of the Eidolon people and refused to take me to the Grand Arena saying that it was no place for children and further that the law did not allow children to enter there. 

Not getting permission to go only made the Arena seem more alluring. Secretly I dreamed of becoming a warrior, one adept in exotic martial arts. Once I was old enough to be admitted to the Grand Arena, I begged my grandparents for several weeks until they at last consented to take me to the Grand Arena of Rayuba to witness the Tourney of Strength.  I was thrilled and excited as we walked the long stone bridges past immense statues of the Emperor, and dozens of towering triumphant arches.  The Arena is an immense edifice built to hold tens of thousands of beings as audience.  I was excited by the array of warriors and the spectacle of it all - right until the blood began to flow.  After three hours of bearing witness to brutal carnage I begged to leave and broke into tears in the shadow of one of the Triumphant Arches lining the many wide stone bridges leading to the Island of Contention.  

I was to cry for days. Eidolons do not see as humans do with eyes - seeing the outward appearance of things.  We do not perceive the way Goblins do - scenting so much with their acute nasal pits.  Instead, we Eidolons see patterns of energy.  We don’t see as much of the surface of things but we can sense the being beneath the surface of appearances.  I cried because I felt the spirits, dreams and hopes of brave beings smashed, shattered, impaled, and torn asunder within my view.  

   Thereafter I gave up my foolish dreams of pursuing ultimate martial arts and decided to develop my natural gifts of perception to help others find their paths in life through divination. A predisposition to sensing the threads of fate, the spirits of beings and how the two might intertwine was my mother’s birthgift.  Only training and time were needed for me to become a Seer Adept.  The story of how my sister and I received our training and became seers is a story for another time.

  Life as a Seer  A lifetime we lived as diviners and seers, always working to improve our vision in service to those who sought us out. Each day we practiced feeling out the threads of fate, listening and feeling the spirit of each querent who made the offering and asked for guidance. 

Our family fortunes had led our Eidolon clan to settle in the stable lands of the Celestial capital, so perhaps it was the pull of destiny that keep my feet returning to the bustling areas surrounding the Grand Arena.  Every three years or so the Celestial Emperor would send his heralds out, calling for accomplished fighters to prove their might. Though I could not bear to watch the contests, I listened to the tales of battles, and marveled in wonder at the panoply of beings drawn across the universes to this spot.  By placing myself near the rows of priests offering blessings, charms, curses, and invocations, I felt I could both offer insight and in turn learn from these brave, foolish warriors who were willing to dare all for ultimate prizes. 

 Each day before the double dawn of the twin suns, my sister Sonami and I went to the temple to offer our devotions to YISUN, UN, YIS and several other deities as we prayed for guidance, clear sight, and the wisdom to be helpful to others. 

Then we ate a modest meal of boiled grains and found our accustomed spots along the Great Road to the Arena where we prepared to share our insights. For several days I met tens of fighters from the hordes pouring into the city. Many were experienced veterans, others in the flush of their youthful strength, and yet others had confidence in their strange powers or alien weaponry.  

 Of those I cast the threads for, many were warned of disappointment, injury, and some of great harm.  “Even now and even then”, I said to each one, “you can change your fortune - for as you climb the ranks the danger increases for everyone. If you listen carefully with your body, you’ll be able to sense that moment when you’re outmatched.  That’s when you can dare to take on more than you can handle and get hurt, or yield and bow out.” 

In each case, I could feel the alluring thread of fortune pulling upon their spirits and had to feel carefully to find an alternative path where each one could still perhaps flourish. 

Though many scoffed at me in my first hundred years of practice, by my three hundredth year I had become well regarded as an honest seer who was determined to seek out the present paths for the questing spirits before me. 

  A Momentous Day

  The third day of the Tourney was busy. We made the prayers for wisdom, cast the Threads of Fortune, turned the Arcana cards, or consulted the Book of Changes as required for each querent who came seeking us out. 

  The afternoon found us taking our rest from the heat of the double noon day in the deep shade of a cool tea house run by family friends of long acquaintance.  The scent of teas from dozens of worlds floated through the air under the thick wooden beams of the roof, soothing and relaxing our minds from a day of visions.  Without warning my sister and I gasped as a tremendous tremor of Atum rippled from the island, through the city, into the planet and outwards in all directions. I saw the wave of energy as it approached and watched it pass beyond like an immense expanding bubble. The earth trembled in response and seconds later a moderate earthquake sent brass lanterns swaying and broad wooden pillars timbers creaking.  A thread of fate appeared before me unbidden, and I knew - we had to go back to the bridge.  We gulped our tea, gathered our supplies, and walked swiftly back, taking bags of fruits, gourds of water, and baskets of grasshoppers to feed the good luck frogs of the Priest of Het.  

  We returned to our tented alcove and waited.  The neighboring priests and onlookers were all full of the tale.  A warrior of unexpected power had brazenly stepped forth to challenge the mighty.  However, the details varied with the teller. I heard a dozen different versions of the same story. Somehow the warrior was cast down despite their power.  I could still feel the hard shine of their Atum, though the brightness had diminished and was now concealed from all but Adepts like myself.   

My sister felt intimidated at the prospect of meeting such a warrior, and when I said I felt the Atum gradually moving in our direction she readily agreed that I would be the one to offer guidance to that spirit - if such was asked for.  We read the fortunes and paths for a few more travelers and warriors as the day advanced into early evening.

One of the double suns was slipping below the horizon, casting countless shades of vermillion light across the Grand Arena and daubing bright shades of oranges and reds across the skies.  Our acolyte was asking if we wanted to have evening meals brought to us when a lovely maid of shining intelligence entered.  I became slightly distracted by the tower of fire which lifted the fabric to enter beside her.  This - I realized was a red devil of uncommon politeness standing protectively besides this demure young lady.

  “We travelers hear tell of two sisters of uncommon vision who might offer guidance to those seeking out their paths of fate,” said the young ingenue. 

“It’s TRUE,” declared our acolyte.  “You find here Sonami and Sunitha, Seers with centuries of practice, finely attuned to the threads of fate…”    

“Hush Taufik, thank you, there’s no need to sing our praises here.  We were just about to order our dinners, perhaps the three of you would join us and we’ll seek out your paths together ?   I said this, for I could feel the energy of a being just outside our tented space.

At my words the bright white flame of an Aeon stepped forward from around a corner and inside our alcove silently.  The Aeon bowed saying, “Greetings to you, Wise Ones.  I too am in need of guidance. I am 82 White Chain Born in Emptiness Returns to Subdue Evil.” 

“I now am Princess Jack Moonshine”, rumbled the towering devil. “Myself am Nyave.” spoke the young lady.  

“So…there are four of you.  Isn’t your companion going to come inside ?” 

The three beings looked at each other uncomfortably. “Allison said she doesn’t believe in soothsayers,” said the human. 

“I appreciate her skepticism. Meet my sister Sonami.  She can help each of you to find your paths -if that is your wish.  I’ll go to speak with your friend and see if she will decide to join us for dinner.  We may be a while.”  

Taking with me some honey wine and some grasshoppers, I stepped into the cooling breeze of early evening.  The second sun was halfway into the sea, and the deep reds of the undulating clouds were shading now into purples. 

 Many of the priests were packing up their tents, scrolls, idols, and rugs into carts or onto beasts of burden to journey back to their temples.  I tossed a few grasshoppers to the good luck frogs which croaked their delight at me.  Not far from the tent of the Priests of Het, I found the life-energy form of the Ptero-bird warrior Varzak. I promised to search out his paths if he would but ferry me to and from the top of the massive Triumph Arch nearby - where I sensed the Atum I’d felt earlier in the day.  Varzak agreed, and after a brief flight I was slipping from the back of his bird Zoec onto the flat expanse of the Arch and standing far above the Sea .  The ptero-warrior took Zoec to the skies again and flew high above in broad circles while he waited for me.  The view from here was fantastic. Far across the Arch, sitting with her legs dangling above the sea, was the warrior with the tremendous Atum.   I walked across the arch to her. She was much younger than I’d expected. Her aura was a myriad of colours and emotions.

Without turning the young woman said, “I told my friends I don’t believe in any soothsayer bullshit.”  

“That’s fine. I won’t try to offer you anything that you don’t want to hear.  You have to ask a seer for their help anyway - that’s the way it goes. I don’t go around forcing readings upon people.” 

“So why’d you come ?”

“Oh I had to meet you. My sister and I both felt your spirit earlier today. I thought it would be rude not to at least say hello.” 

Now the white-haired woman turned to look at me. One side of her face was an enormous bruise right down to the bone. Her right eye was swollen shut.  The right hand and forearm were covered in bandages. Another bandage was wrapped around a shoulder where I could feel a deep penetration wound. 

“You’ve been speared.”  

“Yes.  Can you really feel that ?”

“I do. I can feel your wound, your spirit, and more besides. I feel how it hurts.”

“I really don’t want to talk about it.”

“How about we share some honey wine instead ?” 

“That sounds GREAT.”  

  From my bag, I removed two brass cups and filled each with some honey wine.  “My name is Sunitha.” 

“Allison.” 

“Well met Allison.” 

We sipped the sweet honey wine as the breezes lifted to us the distant crash of waves, the call of gulls, and the traffic of travelers below.

Allison broke in all at once. “I can’t BELIEVE I’ve been SO Stupid…  Do you know, I’ve met beings here I can hardly believe exist. I’ve met demigods, devils, angels, people of all kinds…. I’ve fallen in love with a devil…- and all because my first real boyfriend and I got pulled into this INSANE Universe….!”

She stopped talking just as abruptly and drank deeply.  

I refilled her cup.  

She looked at me closely with her one good eye.  “I’ve never really talked much with one of your kind of people before.  Eidolons ?” 

“Yes that’s right.”

“How come I feel like I’m speaking with my high school counselor ?”  

“Well what do counselors do on your world ?” 

Allison described counselors to me, and I nodded.  “I can do several of those things for you - if you want.  I can listen, I can give advice, but there’s something else I do a bit differently than your counselors.  You say your counselor would talk to you about how you were feeling in the present, in your relationships and about your plans for the future.   I can describe your recent past, your present situation and the paths that may appear in your near future.   You’d have to ask for my help and you have to participate to get the most out of it.” 

“What are my friends doing ?”

“My sister Sonami is helping your friends sort out their paths… and we were just about to order evening meals.” 

“I’m STARVING.”

“Why don’t you join us at table and decide later what you want to do ?  You can be our guests this evening.”

“That sounds nice. I’m sorry - it’s been a HELL of a day. 

I HURT all over.  I’ve been mean and crappy to my best friends in this universe…. I had to kill some fighters and was nearly killed myself… and I feel like Shit.”

“Why don’t you tell your friends that.  I can tell they care deeply about you.”

“Yeah.” 

  I waved for Varzak to come back to pick us up. 

“I could jump down with you - except I’ve got a wounded hand,” said Allison.

“That sounds much too exciting right now, but thank you. Varzak is the best Ptero flier in several galaxies. I’m sure Zoec can carry us both.”

“I’ll just drop down." 

     Before I could compose a reply, Allison picked out her landing spot and then stepped over the side, slowing her fall by catching projections from the arch with one hand.  She descended and dropped heavily at the foot of the arch. She stumbled and cursed but gained her feet. 

In a moment Varzak and Zoec delivered me back to the bridge and I accompanied the battered young warrior to our tent.  In the outer room, the Aeon sat upright and the great bulk of Princess Jack Moonshine reclined upon low cushions enjoying tea served by Taufik.  In the next room separated by heavy curtains, I could hear Sonami answering questions from the young noble Nyave. 

 We gathered around a low circular table and spoke softly.  

“Allison has agreed to be our guest for dinner.  I know Aeons don’t NEED to eat…”  

“But I do like to taste new things, and this tea is sublime.”, replied White Chain. 

“If I recall correctly Red Devils need a big helping of red meats.”  

“We DO, and your young man says some pounds of ox will be mine.” confirmed Princess Jack Moonshine. 

“Very good. What shall we speak of while we wait ?  Am I correct that this is your first visit to Rayuba ?  Do you have questions ?”  And so we spoke quietly about life in the Celestial Empire and the long rule of the Emperor Solomon. 

Before long we heard the arrival of porters delivering our meals.  “Sisters ? We’re here !”  Our friends from the tea house arrived, arranged our dinner and then departed.  Nyave and Sonami came out to join us and we took our meal together. 

Gradually a number of details about the adventurers’ journeys were shared. Allison opened up a little about her concerns, hopes, and fears. 

Sonami listened then said, “Most beings can only see the moment in front of them.  We have our memories, but memory doesn’t always prepare us for the future.  The claim that seers make is that we can help a querent see farther into one’s near future.  It can also help to look back at our past actions so one can understand how we got to where we are in the present.”

I added, “Then looking at past and present, we can point out the challenges, choices and obstacles that may appear in the near future.” 

  Voices sounded outside the Seer’s Tent.

 “Hail the Seer Sisters.  We bring messages for the warrior named Allison.”

“Emissaries of the Emperor - please enter and speak your messages,” I replied. 

A broad shouldered powerfully built man stepped into our space. Two officer-guardsmen with glaives took up positions outside. The Emissary bowed and spoke clearly while looking at Allison.   

“The messages are expressly for the contestant Allison”. 

  “Go on, these are my friends and advisors, they may hear.” 

“Very well.  Greetings to you Allison from the Judges of the Circle of Strength.  

Your performance and behavior today in the contests - was highly varied.  You did well and advanced to the Seventh Rank.   Then it seems you lost all patience and reason - and decided to issue a challenge to the players of the Third Rank. This was incredibly brash - and bold of you.  You now bear the wounds from that encounter. 

Know you now that the one you fought and wounded was Olumide - a Son of the Celestial Emperor who served as one of his Emissaries.  Olumide was a favored son of Solomon.  He passed away this evening - an hour ago. 

The Tourney judges have decided to overlook your breach of protocol and ask if you are ready to continue in the Circle of Strength.  If you are ready - you must appear in the Arena by the 2nd bell of morning to continue the challenges. If you cannot continue due to your wounds, we are prepared to carry your answer now to the Tourney judges, or you may do so yourself between now and the 2nd bell of morning.” 

Allison looked tempted but she sighed and said. “Right now - I can’t hold my sword in this hand.  I can’t see out of this eye.  Until I heal, I can’t fight effectively.  If I tried to fight now, I’d probably get slaughtered. I have to withdraw from the Tourney.”

  The Herald nodded and presented a scroll to Allison. 

  “The Emperor thanks you for this entertainment. Within is a list of rewards you have been gifted through your achievements in the Tourney. Return to the Arena Judges to claim your rewards.  

The Emperor was impressed with your efforts and invites you to share a meal with him before you leave Rayuba.  Send word through any guardsman, and arrangements will be made.”

The herald bowed and departed.

  As she couldn’t open it with one hand, Allison passed the scroll to Sonami and asked if she could read it.  Sonami nodded, opened and began to read the many prizes Allison had won. 

"…10,000 guilders for completing the first rank

…20,000 guilders for completing the second rank

…30,000 guilders for completing the third rank. 

…150,000 guilders for daring to challenge the 7th rank. 

… A complete set of dragon-scale armor, 

… An enchanted flute…

…The Adamantine Spear which belonged to Olumide is now yours.

… A Dukedom in the lands of Dorji !   Though if you were to accept this - it would mean accepting the Emperor Solomon as your liege-lord.  He would doubtless require you to fight for him at his command.” 

  We marveled at the many prizes Allison had won. She made it clear she wouldn’t be claiming any Dukedoms in Solomon’s lands.  She smiled and laughed, “Besides - I’d have to be a Duchess !  Ha-Ha ! Ow. Damn.”  Then she grew serious again. “I only dared to enter the Tourney here because I thought I’d have a chance to free Zaid if I won.” 

Nyave spoke, “Allison you didn’t get to fight Solomon, but you’ve won an opportunity to meet him.

Why not ask him directly to free Zaid ?”

Sonami counseled, “If the Celestial Emperor thinks your friend is important enough to hold prisoner -he’s the only one you have to convince. Consider this also. What if your friend is safest while he is protected by the Emperor ? You want to free him, but who would protect him later ?” 

  The Decision. 

  Allison bit her lip, “I… Don’t know what the best decision is.” She looked at Sonami and then at me, “My friends say your sister’s guidance has helped them feel clearer about their choices. I guess I’m ready to try something new… even if I don’t understand how anyone can see into the future.”

  Nyave quoted: “What we see now… is like a dim image in a mirror…” 

  "That's a poetic phrase," I exclaimed.   “Rather than claiming to see distinct futures, it’s more accurate and more descriptive to say that we try to point out important choices, decisions, people, in someone’s life.  Seers and Oracles often use a language of symbols or metaphors to illustrate the many paths that people can take and the many situations we can find ourselves in.  Because of our nature, we Eidolons can become sensitive to the Atum of others and with training, we can sense where a person's Atum may be heading.”

   Change is a fundamental force of the multiverse. In the river of Time we’re carried along and we change, grow, or unravel. Everything changes.  YISUN changed, the gods changed, devils are always changing, and even the Aeons change -though most very gradually over the course of thousands of years.”  I held up a hand to forestall White Chain’s protest - which I could feel churning within xem. 

“Aeon - I mean no disrespect, yet I will be glad to offer my proofs to support my statement later - if you will hear me.”  “As you say,” replied White Chain. 

  “Okay, enough talk - let’s do it.  How do we start ?” 

  “First you must ask for my assistance to find your paths. You must also make an offering. 

 This is how we make our living.” 

  Allison addressed me. “Sunitha - will you help me discover my paths ?  I feel lost. 

Nyave, could you handle the offering ? - Thanks.” 

  Allison and I moved to the curtained alcove for more privacy.  I asked for Allison to give me her hand.  “Why do you want to hold my hand ?” she asked. 

“Even from across the city, I could feel your spirit when you were fighting and in mortal danger.  Now that you’re in front of me, I want to attune myself to your spirit more carefully. This will help me as I seek to describe your past, present and possible future paths.”

“Well okay then.”  

Allison held out her hand which I clasped in both of my hands. I could feel her heart beat, and the power she held in check. Allison’s passionate untempered nature swirled beneath her outer self. Below the surface her being was a series of tides and riptides swirling and pressing against her consciousness.  A entire layer of herself was tied up with the effort to surpress the turmoil she felt within.  Looking past Allison’s aura of emotion, I sought her Atum.  As though I were approaching a star, the sight of her Atum filled my vision - I saw then her link to the Conquering King, and what linked Allison directly to the Creator. 

I gasped again, but I held her hand until my vision cleared and I felt attuned to the pull of her Atum.  

I took a few deep breaths.  “I can feel you’ve been through a great deal Allison.”

  The Arcana

   “We’ll use the Arcana cards to describe your journey.”  

I asked Allison to hold the cards in her hands while she considered her journey, and her hopes.  I made a fan of the cards before her and asked Allison to concentrate and ask the cards to reveal her path.  Her Atum would guide her choices. 

Allison closed her eyes.  The halo of her Atum manifested in a halo circling her brow, illuminating her from within and running down the meridians of her body.  Her body began to heal faster, and then slowed slightly as she focused upon the Threads of Fate.  She let her hand follow the pull of Atum to each card.  As she drew the cards, I arranged them in order and explained the significance of each one.  Eleven cards were laid before her. 

  The Knight of Cups -  Reversed  - yourself 

  The Page of Swords - Reversed  - your present 

  The Fool  - Across - Opposing / Propelling Force

  The Emperor - Reversed  - Behind you. 

  Strength -  Your foundation / below you.

  The Chariot -  Fears / Hopes / above you

  The Wheel of Fortune - before you

  8 of Swords -  Your Present Situation

  The High Priestess  - Vision 

  Six of Swords - Journey 

  The Hanged Man - Revelation + Transformation

  “Here is your Journey Allison. Here are the steps you’ve taken and a few steps you have yet to take.” 

        “At the beginning of your present journey, you're represented by the reversed Knight of Cups. The Cups are cards related to emotions and I sense the emotional turmoil within you.   You're a person of deep feelings, but you’ve often been carried along by your feelings, rarely in control and mostly pulled along by feelings of the moment. This is one of your challenges - to master your feeling, passionate nature so you can clearly see the choices before you.” 

         “This second card is the Page of Swords. The reversed nature of the Page tells of a person who strives to take action but confuses action with decisiveness. The cards of Swords relate to intelligence, and conflict.  Here we see that conflict is present, but you're having difficulty applying your intelligence to resolve your challenges. Instead of making progress, you sometimes lose ground, that's why you're represented by your younger self - the immature Page who wants - but can't wait, can't be patient, can't think clearly.” 

        “The Fool, this third card represents opposing forces. I think of cards in this position as a current which can carry a person along if we work with it, or which can carry us away if we try to oppose it.  The Fool represents naiveté, Optimism, Opportunity, the potential for discovery, serendipity, and having luck, but also represents the potential for great danger. Look at how this wanderer is about to step off a cliff while looking up at the stars !  You've come this far despite making foolhardy choices, but the card is also a warning against depending on luck alone and rash actions.  You might reach the stars, but as you are now - you risk being consumed or falling into an abyss.” 

         “The Emperor.  This fourth card I feel relates to the gift you carry.  I can faintly feel an impression of the Conquering King - he who long carried this key. In the Arcana, the Emperor stands for Order but can also relate to oppression.  If Zoss had not cast down the angels perhaps the Seven Black Kings we have now could not have arisen.  The Conquering King’s own efforts to create a new Order - eventually led to new kinds of Chaos. This is why the card is reversed.  I tremble with the knowledge that your Key is a direct link to the Creator - YISUN.  Having received this gift, you were set upon this path. I hope that the one who gave you this gift has given you some guidance along the way.  This influence is in your recent past.” 

             Allyson made a face.  "Sometimes.  Sometimes he's cryptic - and damnit !  It's not like I know how to get him to show up to answer my questions either.  He's still alive....somehow."

           “Strength.  The key of kings has given you a new path to find your strength.  Through it you've gained access to unimaginably vast power, the power of the Creator.  You've tapped that power a few times. Through your training, you've grown stronger - and stronger yet.  You've grown stronger in body, you've learned some of the Martial Arts, learned some of the Magical Art, but to truly master the Key of Kings - you'll need to conquer yourself to access that Ultimate Strength.  Conquer yourself - and you can shape the world around you.  Fail to do so, and power and the need for more power will instead control you. 

         This image of a woman taming a dragon beast, isn't about facing down monsters.  You've become a sexual person and you feel a deep affection for someone - yet you're afraid to love. Love is a spiritual power of great strength Allison - remember.” 

      “The Chariot.  This card in the Above position relates to your hopes and fears.  Right now you're being carried along on a quest.  The forces propelling you along are powerful. You've been pushed or threatened by several of the Demiurges.   You hope to save Zaid and survive these many challenges. You also fear failure, pain, defeat and death.  There's a feeling of not having choices and not feeling in control - like you're in a chariot being pulled along by wild horses.  The chariot is your mind, but the horse of your hopes pulls one way - and the horse of your fears is pulling you another. You have to assert control to set yourself on a path - a path YOU choose - or your chariot will crash.” 

        “The Wheel of Fortune is before you.  This is your immediate present / future.  You just survived a most dangerous turn of the Wheel.  You recklessly dared to face enemies you knew little about and met someone who could defeat you. You defeated a powerful opponent - and were gravely wounded in the process.  You've been cast down, but you're not out.  You'll be able to take another chance later - if you can master yourself.”

  “8 of Swords -  Your Present Situation :  Here is yourself.  This figure, tied up, blindfolded and surrounded by swords is you.  I see you surrounded by danger.  You're bound by your limitations, your passions, your immaturity, your lack of self-control.  This figure isn't tied down - and neither are you - you could choose to leave.  There is hope here though.  You're becoming aware of your limitations and the need to overcome them.  Who is the one who limits you ?  It's You.  When you overcome your own ignorance, you'll be able to grow in consciousness and see more clearly than ever before. Then you’ll find your way through the forest of swords.” 

  “The High Priestess  - Vision : This is your environment.  You're seeking Vision.  The High Priestess is one who counsels and turns you towards wisdom hidden inside yourself.  Mystery, Wisdom, Connection with your Inner Self, and Unification.   What can you learn - from that Great Mystery you are carrying ?  You have to go through darkness to reach your inner self and be Illuminated.  Once you've made that journey - you'll be able to live and love wholeheartedly.” 

  “Six of Swords - Journey :  To get where you're going you must make another journey.  You will have to cross space and time, waters and land, to find guidance beyond mine, to open your spirit and attain Mastery. Only if you become a Master will you be able to survive this quest you're on.  The Fool needs to Transform into a Magician and then transform again.”

  “The Hanged Woman -  Revelation + Transformation :  This last card gives an Outcome.  The Hanged Woman doesn't represent a criminal being punished.  This is a spiritual seeker enduring a vision quest.  There are tales of a goddess who tied herself to the World Tree in order to gain wisdom.  In this way she acquired a set of magical symbols and other gifts besides.  If you make the Journey - you'll have an opportunity to Transform yourself. You can gain the insight you need to find or create an outcome of your choosing.”

         "For Zaid ?"  Allison asked. 

 "For Zaid - and Everyone in the Multiverse who doesn't already wield a Key of Kings,"  I replied. 

      Allison and I spoke for two candles more.  Then she rose, embraced me and said, "Thank you Sunitha."   She gathered her companions and set out again on the road to an inn.  The moon was rising above faint streamers of cloud as Allison and her companions walked along.  I could see the trails of their luminous spirits clearly against the night sky.  Above, I could see the trail of stars in their slow dances.

My sister and I watched until the travelers dwindled to small figures far down the road.  One figured turned to wave at us, and we waved back. 

  Later the next day, I felt Allison's Atum moving again, and then I felt the absence of that force from our lands.  I imagine she travelled to another world through space or the great gates.  

“A Vision of the Game of Kings”

As Scribe in the service of the Geas Knights, it be my duty to record the Deeds, the Histories, the feats of our Order.  We scribes also serve as instructors to the youths aspiring to join the Order and we teach them to learn numbers, physic, natural and unnatural laws, and methods to reason, and of perception. How our Order came to be, and why we have so much to seek in the broken worlds is a mystery confined to those within the Order. 

Returning from a pilgrimage to the Temple of Het, our caravan was beset by the floating anemone which mark the Great Moor as their territory. As we sought to repel the beasts several of us were stung and fell ill due to the hallucinogenic toxins for which the anemones are rightly feared. My brethren gathered the wounded and hastened us away and on through the Forest of Lurking Death. Terrors and lurid visions crowded through the minds of the afflicted yet we were fortunate and at last emerged from the perilous forest and passed the ancient warded menhirs which mark the domains of the Order.  Hours later we at last sighted the Great Fortress of the Geas Knights and passed within to safety. There, my condition was attended to. My wounds were treated and I was given tonics to counteract the toxins in my body.  Meanwhile, fevers gripped me, my bones ached, and visions both true and false appeared to me as I lay on my sick bed.  

In my feverish dreams, I was granted I believe a true vision of the Game of Kings.

By whose mind the concept for the Game and the immense Contest Field came to be I cannot tell.

Those unknown builders of Yre may have gained their fame with this edifice.

Revealed to me was that a great Contest Field was built in the days prior to that Conflagration to be known as the Universal War.

For after the time of great works, great thought, and great achievements, great dissension arose amongst those godling lords who’d breached the seat of creation. 

One or more inspired minds devised, commissioned and built the Contest Field. The rules of the Contests was also decreed. The known options were: sparring, team competition, races, duels, and combats to the death. If overmatched, a lord could seek escape by rushing for the exit far above - but such was the humiliation one would bear it is believed that most lords preferred to die than endure perpetual shame.

It was hoped then that such Games could provide an outlet, a release for these mighty lords to unleash their powers and vent their anger over the countless slights and offenses real or imagined which accumulated between them over centuries. 

One must have the power of the lords to awaken the Contest Field. One must declare who is contesting, and the game to be played. Once the playing field is entered, walls arise upon every side. The field climbs on into the heavens, and those empowered lords of rule must use their powers to climb the heights.

Octagons six spans across cover all surfaces. A lord must hurl herself upward, then exert her power to fasten upon an area. As one lands, a ferocious blow may be struck which amplifies the power outwards in a wave capable of obliterating nearby rivals. These walls cannot be breached from within as by the magic of their construction, such forces are redirected to one side.

Though the Contest Field saw more and more use, the number of fatal contests mounted ever higher. Instead of helping to keep the peace, the godlings grew more and more brazen in challenging each other, until the first fatal challenges were issued in the very Court of Rule - the Halls of Concordance, thereby unleashing the Universal War. 

This was my vision as I received it.  

Ymir,