“I have a lot of questions.”

“Aren’t you a curious one. Well, the thing is,” the voice cackled. “You don’t deserve a lot of answers yet. An agent, weak one at that. Just do what I tell you, and what is written in your quest journal.”

It’s always like this. Secrets, riddles, and lies. I hate when people say one thing but then act behind your back. Don’t like being powerless.

“Wait, how can you hide anything from me if we are one and the same?”

“That’s a mystery, Arthur. It happens. You know important parts, so you’ll be fine. Forget about the big picture for a moment. We have a lot of work to do. Walls are getting thinner these days.”

“Or so I’ve heard. Someone has to protect people from monsters.”

“That’s right. Although, it's not so much about the monsters as the humans themselves. It goes like this – some poor creature stumbles upon the breach and then falls through it. It will die in a week anyway, either from hunger, weather, thirst or will be shot by an ignorant mortal. Maybe it’ll make the news, and nobody is going to believe them, cause there’s no body.

Or, if there’s an Atma infused item, humans will break it and leave somewhere to gather dust. Humans are too much.”

He went on and on…

“As soon as they get the power of the Cradle shit hits the fan. That’s when we come in. You will stop them from coming back, and you won’t let mortals walk through breaches. Because it’s your world, and those things do not belong here. Some of them fell through the cracks, unfortunate victims of their fate.

Others came here to hide among humans, like predators wearing masks of the prey. You will show them your mercy and end their suffering. Otherwise, one day, your planet becomes a part of the Cradle. Believe me, that’s not going to be fun.

"Then we're kind of like ... the police?"

Would be quite ironic considering where we are right now.

“More like a colonial militia. As long as you do your job, nobody cares whether you want to play detective, superhero, or edgy vigilante.”

“Well, I don’t mind working for the good of humanity. But I hope you can get us out of this mess.”

One thing bothered me. I couldn’t understand what exactly. Looking around the cells, I caught a glimpse of something important.

It was one of the girls in another cell. She was dressed just as skimpy as the rest of them. Had the same garish make-up ruined by dried tears and smeared lipstick.

What’s her deal, though?

Realization ignited in my mind like a flash of searing light.

I already saw this girl. That was the one I saved from fishmen on the night of my awakening. A tiny card over her head rotated slowly.

The chubby officer had a card too. He came out of his office holding a phone and went straight to me with a very condescending look on his face.

“Arthur Kim? It’s for you. Your sister.”

Puzzled, I took a phone and heard a cold, harsh voice.

“Tell me, Arthur. Are you a moron?”

Alice was not in the mood.

And I knew exactly how all my excuses will sound.

“Come on, it wasn’t my fault. An accident at the bar, that's all.”

The policeman let me out of the cell and into the office so I could speak with Alice in private.

He did not close the door, but sat on a chair in the big room, looking at his tablet and arguing with hookers.

Weird. Why would he give me the phone? Is it because of the card? His plaque was unusual in a way. Like, it was going to fall off any second and reveal what’s hidden underneath it.

“No, tell me, are you a moron?”

The office was small and crampy. Table, chair, safe, flag. Portrait of the President. Well, there also were boxing gloves on the wall, a dartboard with a broken segment, and half a chessboard.

“I should’ve called, but got caught up in the fight. Sorry.”

“Moron... I worried about you! It’s just…”

“Did something happen?”

“No. Doesn’t matter now. You couldn't help getting into some stupid trouble. At least Andrew is on duty today. I had a feeling he’s going to meet you out there, and know what? I was right!

“Oh, so you know him?”

I glanced at Andrew. He was flipping somebody off.

“He’s my friend’s brother. Told me everything. You totally shouldn't drink anymore, especially in places like that.”

“I didn’t do anything!”

It was Owen’s fault! Who knows, what he actually said to them? Could be anything. Maybe I would punch him too if he said that to me.

“Except breaking the window, the railings on the pier, and starting a fight. Kim, I didn't know that you were such a rowdy man.

I can only admit breaking the window. Otherwise, I was pure and innocent.

“Yeah. No day without a bottle,” I muttered. “You weren’t there. It was self-defense. And “loud clown from work”-defense.”

*Sigh* “You protect everyone.”

Our conversation was interrupted by Andrew. “We don’t have all night.” I handed him the phone, and they talked about something for a minute or two. His face went bright as a lamp.

“Ok, mister Kim,” he said. The card got a bit bigger but it didn’t activate. “You should go home.”

“But what about ...?”

“You have no business here anymore! I’ll blink, and when I open my eyes, you should be halfway there, got it?” Andrew pushed me back into the main hall.

I nodded towards Owen.

“Eh, take him too. Whatever. I have enough on my plate to deal with some drunken dolts.”

And so, we were free.

I peeked at the girl in the cell. Our eyes met, and she yelped as if she saw a ghost.

“What are you lookin’ at?” Andrew hissed. “Want me to lock you up with the fairies? Tough luck. Ladies have other plans for tonight.”

...

I called a taxi, and took Owen to the store, because I had no idea where he lives, and he was in no condition to tell. Had to persuade the guards to let us in, then dragged him to the couch in the warehouse. It was almost five in the morning when I got home myself.

Alice slept peacefully right in the kitchen with her head on the table. I guess that was the night of carrying people on my back. Big sis didn’t wake up, even when I stumbled on the threshold and almost dropped her.

“You know what, Arthur,” the Fool whistled. “If I were you, I would tap this like there’s no tomorrow if you catch my drift.”

“Please shut up.”

I was leaving when Alice started tossing and turning, wrapping herself in the blanket. At this moment, the system came to life again.

Bond Upgrade: The High Priestess

Current Bond level: 2

It seems I can’t even sneeze in the card holder’s general direction without us getting closer.

“You are a good companion, that’s all.” Chuckled my inner voice.

Especially, for sleeping, drunk and insane. Whatever, this was a very eventful night. I needed a shower and then to lose consciousness for a bit.

Passing the mirror, I saw it. A bright red short thing with a large round head, two dots instead of a nose, and a toothy mouth. It was clinging to my shoulders with wide, meaty palms. Its eyes were covered with shaggy black bangs. The same monster I dreamed of as a child.

“Calm down, it's just me.”

“Yes, I can see that. How long have you been hanging there?”

“Ever since we spoke for the first time. Do not worry. Now I will always be with you.”

“Pfft. And what, even in the bathroom?”

“Especially in the bathroom, Arthur.” The Fool shook his head. “What you see is a side effect. In fact, I'm in your head, in your heart and in your soul. If you believe in such things, naturally.

“I have no idea what I believe in anymore,” I said after a couple of minutes, getting under the streams of hot water.

A Card was Unlocked: The Fool

“We wander like the blind, without a goal, sometimes not even seeing the abyss under our feet. And it only depends on fate whether we fall into it or pass safely without knowing what we have escaped. "

This card provides simple power-ups and bonuses to help you achieve your goal.

Bond Level: 1

Permanent bonus (Strength + 1, Will + 1)

“You have to believe in everything, Kim. Just in case. Otherwise, someone like me will come and expand your horizons. And you will be caught without pants. There, there, pal. You’ll get used to it.”