Arc’s astonishment could be seen by everyone in the room, his eyes went large and his mouth stood open agape.

Savvas arched one of his eyebrows, running the idea in his head that Arc was only putting on a show for everyone. “He likes to make a scene with whatever he does. What an arrogant boy.”

The reason for Arc’s astonishment was simple, The Fool’s legend originates over ten thousand years ago. To hear that a person from that long ago was still alive was a shock to Arc.

There are legends of course, of ways to obtain immortality or prolonged lifespans on the Rage continent. But that is what they were, simply legends. Arc had never believed in them, not for a second.

A person’s first impression when they are told something truly absurd is to refute it. The impossible is simply that, the impossible. But Arc wouldn’t dare. The voice in his head, The Fool had resonated with him simply too deeply.

He accepted the impossible. The Fool was still alive. “Ok, you’re the Fool. But just simply talking to you doesn’t do anything for me. What I’m after is power, plain and simple and if you can’t give that to me then I don’t care who you are, you’re useless.”

On the outside, Arc once again grits his teeth. His astonished look is no more, and his body tenses as it deals with the wave of pressure bearing down on him.

“Power? That’s something I can give you, but to receive it there is a cost. You will become a part of-”

“I refuse!” Arc’s words were instant, and not just in his own head either. The words echoed out into the room, everyone hearing it.

The Fool scoffs at this response, and the confidence behind it.

“Do you think you’re the first person who has said that to me? Gathering all the Arcana is not the only way to receive my grace, you are not the first who will see me and you will certainly not be the last. You’re flowing with confidence, every ounce of your spirit believes any choice you make will be the right one, you’re vying for power with all your being, and yet you’re nothing special. Do you have any idea the future that awaits you? Pain and suffering don’t even compare to what you’ll go through, men with greater foundations than you have wanted to tread their own path, and yet they failed before they even started. Do you know why that is?”

The pressure in the room had changed, the Fool’s previous simple demeanor had switched. Although no one else in the room was capable of hearing his words, they were all a part of him, and through that connection they could feel that something was wrong.

Arc was taken aback, he hadn’t expected the Fool to explode with such anger from his Refusal. This was a legendary figure that he had heard about since he was a child and to be personally reprimanded by him dealt quite a blow to Arc’s mind; however, such a blow was not enough to shatter Arc’s resolve.

“Of course I know why those people failed. It’s because they weren’t me.”

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The Fool immediately scoffs in response, but Arc continues to talk.

“People stronger than me have died, people who have greater ambitions as well I’m sure. Kings amongst men have fallen, but there’s no point in comparing them to me. They are them, and I am me. I won’t die.”

“And what gives you the confidence to say that? You’re weak, anyone in this room could kill you if you didn’t have that token containing an emperor’s might. What makes you so confident that you won’t die?” The Fool’s voice was still filled with ridicule, but he was curious. Where did the boy in front of him gain such confidence? Was it simply hubris? The Fool kept these questions in his head as he waited for Arc to speak once more.

“I’m at the bottom.”

The Fools mind stayed firm.

“My mother has left me, my standing in the Arcana chain will basically be null when they find out my results from the potential examination. I have no one to rely on, even Alexander who gave me this token won’t be able to stop the oppression I’ll face from those who never agreed with my mother.”

The Fool stayed silent.

“There are hundreds of thousands just like me. But unlike others, I have a chance to rise. That’s why I won’t die. It would simply be too standard! I won’t die because that tale has been told a thousand times! How many people who have never seen hope have died in the dirt without ever being offered a chance to obtain it!? I can see it- It’s in front of my eyes right now. But it has to be me- I have to be the one! I will say it again, I will never become a part of you!”

The Fools voice carried regret in it as he spoke. “It’s pointless. Your words are persuading, but even if I were to impart the essence of the arcana to you, you wouldn’t be able to take it. The pain would drive you to the brink of madness and then further.”

He was still a boy at the end of the day, his mind was firm and he carried clear ideals that not many others at his age could match. But no matter what, a boy was still a boy. That is what the Fool believes.

“Then let me die trying.” After these words entered his mind, Arc grabbed onto the emperor token in his possession and yelled out with his voice.

“I make a pact using a charge of this emperor token!”

Savvas, Arthur and all others gathered here looked on at the boy like he was crazy. They could not begin to fathom for a moment what the words he would say next.

“If I do not receive what I seek now, may my life be forfeit!” In response to this, the token glows with a golden light and a humanoid shape takes form behind Arc. Its body is illuminated in a golden light and both of its hands are lifted above its head, gripping a golden sword. The sword looms over Arcs body.

Confused looks are now the norm in the room, not a single person understands what Arc is doing. There are a few that take a guess however, one being the attendant who lightly talks under her breath. “He’s pushing himself voluntarily to drag out any hidden potential in his body…”

Savvas hears her words and for the first time he begins to look at Arc in a different light. “All of this just for the sake of obtaining even a meager amount of power. I’m sure even with the people who opposed his mother he could live his life simply with that token of his. What could drive a person to such desperation?”

Once again the Fool speaks.

“Foolish. As long as I refuse to give you the Arcana your death is certain. What a waste.”

A sigh breaks through the Fools lips.

“But you won’t refuse. You want to see me succeed as much as I do. You’re tired of watching people throw away their lives pointlessly. You’ve seen it countless times, and that’s why you force the people here to become a part of you. You believe you’re the only one who can succeed.”

The fools voice resounds in Arcs head. “My path has been long, there are countless examples of those who have failed. I’ve lost hope. No one I knew reached the heights I did. Some abandoned their beliefs, some were slain before they could rise, and some rotted away believing in a dream that was impossible. Watching another person make that mistake would be too much, I wouldn’t be able to stand it. But maybe… maybe there is a part of me that wants to believe. Believe that someone can forge their own path with the Arcana I created like I did.”

Arc does not respond to the Fool. He simply awaits for his decision.

“I will pass it to you. The essence of the Arcana, the ability to create your own path.”

Arc’s body shudders with joy, and a smile spreads across his face.

“Thank you.”

The Fool does not respond.