The three Goddesses—Buwan, Akiko, and Dewata—were speechless as they took in the breathtaking sight of Valverde’s Sentinel’s Peak Estate. Its expansive grounds were adorned with towering acacia trees, beautifully lit fountains, and manicured gardens that seemed to stretch endlessly. Tonight, the mansion was alive with celebration. Rows of lanterns illuminated the driveway, and soft music played from a live band stationed near the veranda. Tables were set on the lawn, groaning under the weight of Cebu’s finest dishes: roasted lechon, fresh seafood, and desserts that gleamed under the lanterns.

The President of the Philippines stood waiting at the mansion’s grand entrance, flanked by Governor Gwen Alcoriza, Lucia and Manuel Valverde, and Dr. Mateo Santillan. Despite the formal occasion, there was warmth in their expressions as the SUVs came to a halt.

Leigh was the first to step out, and Lucia wasted no time rushing to her daughter. “Leigh!” she cried, wrapping her arms tightly around her. “Thank God you’re safe. I’ve been so worried.”

Leigh smiled softly, returning the embrace. “I’m fine, Mom. Really. Everyone’s fine.”

Lucia pulled back, brushing a stray hair from Leigh’s face. “Are you sure? No injuries? Nothing you’re hiding from me?”

Manuel approached, placing a steady hand on Leigh’s shoulder. “Your mom’s been a wreck, anak. But you’ve made us both so proud.”

Leigh chuckled lightly, glancing back at the General. “I had good people watching out for me.”

Governor Gwen Alcoriza strode forward next, shaking the General’s hand firmly. “Leoncio, it’s always a spectacle with you, isn’t it? Fighting Tyanaks in Japan and coming home like it’s just another day.”

The General chuckled. “You know me, Gwenny. Just doing my job.”

Inside the estate, the celebration was in full swing. The mansion’s expansive lawn easily accommodated not only the guests but also the many security personnel in attendance. Tables were laden with food, and the scent of roasted lechon mingled with the aroma of freshly grilled seafood and sweet mango desserts. The team gathered around a long banquet table as the President stood to address them.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” he began, raising a glass of lambanog, “tonight, we celebrate the courage and resilience of these remarkable individuals. They have faced threats most of us could only imagine and have emerged victorious, protecting not just Japan but the balance of our world.”

He turned to the General with a wide grin. “Leon, you and your team are nothing short of extraordinary. On behalf of the Philippines, I thank you.”

As the celebration continued, everyone had their fill and enjoyed lively interactions, especially Lucia and Gwen with the three Goddesses. As the night wore on and the festivities began to wind down, Lucia called on the servants to guide the Goddesses to their rooms. Governor Gwen and the President took their leave, and soon everyone retired for the evening.

Arden sat in his room, deep in thought. His mind raced through all that had happened in Japan—the Tarot World War six centuries ago, the Tyanak battle, and the appearance of one of the Dark Arcana, “The Hanged Man.” Though he wasn’t overly worried, he felt the weight of their journey’s growing difficulty. The team’s strength wasn’t enough. The three Goddesses had lost more than half of their powers, and Arden knew he had to help them grow stronger for the challenges ahead.

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He noticed the satchel that his Lolo Lando had given him before he left the mountain. Taking it, he laid it open on the bed and pulled out its contents. A familiar book caught his eye. As he flipped through the pages, he stopped at a stick figure drawing of a man holding a plant. He couldn’t help but chuckle as he remembered Lolo Lando’s explanation.

“It gets the point across. Besides, you’re smart. You’ll figure it out.”

Arden groaned, smiling despite himself. “You know, for someone who’s supposed to be wise, you’re really bad at explanations.”

“And for someone who talks so much, you’re surprisingly bad at listening,” Lolo Lando had quipped back.

“Oh, I’m so touched,” Arden muttered, chuckling softly.

As he flipped further, his eyes widened at a detailed section outlining the Power Levels of the Mortal and Immortal World Realms, along with techniques to achieve them—up to the Huklar Realm (Mystery of Justice). Arden’s training with Pangamot and spiritual healing had already brought him to the Peak of the Lupanay Realm, but he had hit a bottleneck. Now, with the techniques described in the journal, he felt hope.

Contemplating his experiences in the real world, Arden began meditating. Warm energy flowed through him as the bottleneck loosened. Grabbing his staff, he ran to the training ground to practice the second half of the Pangamot exercises. Moments later, a resonant click echoed, signaling his breakthrough. Golden energy engulfed his body as he floated in the air, absorbing the energy surrounding the mountain.

The other Arcana felt the surge. Leigh, Dominic, the General, Marcos, and a few bodyguards who had reached the Agos Realm gathered at the training ground. They stood in awe as Arden hovered in a seated position, glowing with golden light.

Buwan exclaimed, “It’s been centuries since I witnessed someone breaking through to the Immortal Realm!”

Dewata smiled, nodding. “No wonder he’s called the genius of all the Arcana.”

Akiko added, her voice filled with awe, “Remarkable…”

Somewhere in Consolacion, Zeth woke in the middle of the night. His wife, Thesa, stirred beside him, asking, “What’s wrong?”

Zeth smiled faintly. “We’ll be having a few important guests tomorrow.”

“What do you mean?” she asked, confused.

“Just wait,” he said with a knowing grin before drifting back to sleep.

Meanwhile, deep in the mountain, a voice murmured, “Welcome to the Immortal Realm, boy,” followed by hearty laughter.

As a surge of golden light shot into the sky, Arden opened his eyes. Descending to the ground, he addressed the gathered group with determination. “Everyone, let’s get stronger together and protect the balance between both worlds.” He paused, grinning. “And let’s reclaim our kingdom while we’re at it.”

Cheers erupted as Arden landed smoothly. He approached the General, his eyes resolute. “Sir, I need to go somewhere today. Will you accompany me?”

The General clapped a hand on his shoulder. “Lead the way, boy.”

The convoy drove to Consolacion, Mandaue City, stopping at a gated property next to a chapel. Zeth and Thesa stood at the entrance, waiting. Zeth straightened, snapping a salute as the General stepped out of the SUV. “Welcome to my humble house, sir!”

The General chuckled, shaking his hand. “At ease, Zeth. We’re here as friends.”

Dominic exited next, scratching the back of his head. “Ma, Pa, I’m home.”

“Welcome home, dong,” Thesa said, eyeing him suspiciously. “You didn’t cause trouble for the General, did you?”

The General laughed heartily as Dewata, Buwan, and Akiko emerged. Marcos opened the door for them, and Zeth greeted the three with a bow. “Welcome to my humble house, High Priestess, Moon, and Temperance.”

Dewata’s composure faltered when her eyes landed on a little girl hiding behind Thesa. “BLISS!” she shouted, dropping all pretense of elegance as she ran to hug the child. “I missed you, my baby girl!”

Everyone froze, jaws dropping as Bliss squirmed in annoyance, trying to push Dewata’s face away. “Auntie Dewata, you’re embarrassing me!”

The group burst into laughter, the tension easing into warmth. Arden was the last to exit the SUV, locking eyes with Zeth. A flood of memories surged between them—a shared flashback of The Fool, Justice, and two other Arcana drinking together on The Fool’s Peak. Their laughter had echoed across the mountain, a peaceful and joyous moment long before the chaos of the Tarot World.

As the memories faded, Zeth extended a hand. “It’s been a long time, Fool.”

Arden grinned, shaking his hand firmly. “Too long, Justice.”