Chapter 2: Artezia

Chapter 2: Artezia

Thomas stood before what he could only describe as a rend in the void itself, a tear in the space-time 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 membrane that seemed 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 seemed to be far warmer than before, a welcome 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 armed 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 something 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 me? Why not choose someone., Tom didnt finish the sentence, but both understood what he met. Someone better. Someone faster. Someone stronger. Someone. not him.

A Soul Card chooses its master, kid. The will of the cards led me to this planet and it took me 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 fragments 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 me where this portal goes, Tom blotted out irrelevant information from his mind, only interested in immediate concerns.

I, the bearded man scratched the back of his head, ...am not sure. [The Traveller] card lets me travel to the furthest reaches of the universe, but it does not truly belong to me. But you should land somewhere within the territory of the Syrlore Kingdom, the victor of the Jackpot this time around.

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 mental 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 seemed 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 environment.

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 message, in card script popped up in front of him, startling him.

[The Divine System welcomes 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 meant 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.]