Draped in flowing robes of deep blue and silver, the woman’s gaze was both piercing and gentle. Her hair shimmered like moonlight, cascading over her shoulders, and in her hands, she held a closed book adorned with arcane symbols. The crescent moon emblem on Arden’s bracelet pulsed in harmony with the one embroidered on her robes.

Dominic stepped forward and bowed deeply. “Aunt Diwata,” he said, his voice uncharacteristically reverent. “We’ve come as you’ve foreseen.”

The Priestess, Diwata, stood at the center of the clearing, her serene presence commanding their full attention. “You’ve taken your first steps, but the path ahead is fraught with shadows,” she said, her voice calm yet heavy with meaning. Her gaze fixed on Arden, piercing but not unkind. “Tell me, Arden—are you ready to uncover the truths that lie hidden?”

Arden took a deep breath, his heart pounding in his chest. Before he could respond, a sudden puff of smoke erupted around the Priestess. The ethereal glow dimmed, and when the smoke cleared, she was no longer the regal figure they had just seen. Instead, standing in her place was a girl who looked about twelve years old, with a mischievous grin and sparkling eyes.

Dominic doubled over, clutching his stomach as laughter erupted from him. “Oh, Auntie Diwata, why do you always want to look like an adult so badly? It never lasts, does it?”

“Dominic!” the girl squeaked indignantly, stomping her tiny foot. Her oversized robes, still adorned with arcane symbols, nearly swallowed her small frame. “I was being serious! Must you ruin the moment?”

Leigh and Arden stood frozen, their jaws slack with disbelief. Leigh was the first to recover, her voice tinged with amazement. "Is this real? She’s... she’s so cute!" Before anyone could react, Leigh ran to Diwata and scooped her up in a tight hug, holding her like a playful kitten. "You’re adorable! I can’t believe you’re The Priestess!"

Arden blinked, trying to reconcile the shift. “I don’t even know what to think anymore,” he muttered, shaking his head.

Dominic wiped a tear from his eye, still grinning. “She’s not just any child. Auntie here hasn’t aged a day in... what, centuries now?”

Diwata crossed her arms, her cheeks puffing in a pout as Leigh leaned in for another affectionate gesture. “It’s not my fault! The Arcana’s energy keeps me this way,” she protested, cutely pushing Leigh’s face away as the latter tried to plant a kiss on her cheek. “It’s perfectly reasonable for me to adopt a more... mature form when I need to make an impression!”

Dominic couldn’t help but snicker. “Auntie, if you want to impress anyone, maybe start by not squeaking when you talk.”

“I do not squeak!” Diwata retorted, her high-pitched voice betraying her. The response sent Dominic into another fit of laughter, nearly doubling over.

Leigh, still cradling Diwata, chimed in with a playful smile. “Honestly, I think it’s charming. Who wouldn’t listen to such an adorable High Priestess?” She tilted her head to emphasize her point, drawing an exasperated groan from Diwata.

Arden, standing slightly apart, rubbed his temples. “This is surreal. I thought meeting the High Priestess would be... I don’t know, enlightening?”

“It will be,” Diwata said, finally wriggling free from Leigh’s embrace and dusting off her oversized robes. “Once you all stop treating me like a plush toy.”

Dominic leaned casually against a tree, a sly grin on his face. “You have to admit, Auntie, you make it hard not to.”

Diwata gave him a withering glare before turning to Arden. Her expression shifted, the playfulness fading as her voice grew serious. “Listen carefully, Fool. What I’m about to tell you could determine the fate of both the Tarot World and yours.”

The humor drained from the group as the gravity of her words settled over them. Even Dominic straightened, his smirk replaced by a contemplative frown.

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“I never age,” Diwata began, her voice calm but tinged with a sadness that belied her youthful appearance. “The energy of the Arcana has kept me like this for centuries. While it may seem like a blessing, it’s a constant reminder of the duty I carry and the burden of what’s at stake.”

Leigh, still processing the shift in tone, finally set Diwata down, her playful expression replaced with quiet curiosity. “What do you mean?” she asked softly.

Diwata turned her gaze to Arden. “The Tarot World is in disarray. The Dark Arcana have risen, seizing control of most of the Arcana Suits. Their influence grows stronger with each passing day, corrupting the balance that holds our worlds together.”

“What’s causing this?” Arden asked, his voice steady despite the weight of her words.

“Greed, fear, and ambition,” Diwata replied. “The Dark Arcana exploit these weaknesses, spreading chaos and feeding on it to expand their power. They’ve corrupted the Suits, turning them into tools of destruction. And as their influence spreads, the rift between the Tarot World and the Real World widens, destabilizing both realms.”

Leigh’s eyes widened. “So everything happening in the world right now—the conflicts, the disasters—it’s all because of them?”

Diwata nodded. “Yes. The Dark Arcana thrive on chaos, and they’re using it to tip the scales in their favor. That’s why it’s crucial for you to act quickly.”

She stepped closer to Arden, her youthful face serious and resolute. “You must find the other Arcana. Awaken them, unite them, and reclaim the Suits from the Dark Arcana’s control. Only then can we restore balance and prevent the complete collapse of both worlds.”

Arden gripped the bracelet on his wrist, the crescent moon emblem cool against his palm. “How do we find them?”

Diwata placed a small hand on the closed book she carried. The crescent moon on its cover glowed faintly. “This will guide you. But be warned, Fool: the journey will test you in ways you cannot yet imagine. You’ll need courage, strength, and trust in those who stand by your side.”

Dominic finally broke his silence, his tone uncharacteristically serious. “And that’s where I come in. You won’t mess this up, Fool. Not on my watch.”

Diwata’s gaze softened as she addressed the group. “The Arcana chose each of you for a reason. Together, you have the power to restore balance. But you must move quickly; the longer the Dark Arcana hold sway, the more difficult it will be to undo their corruption.”

The clearing grew quiet as her words settled over them. Arden felt the weight of responsibility pressing down on him, but within that weight, a spark of determination began to grow. Their mission was clear, and the stakes had never been higher.

Diwata clapped her small hands together, the sound breaking the heavy silence. “Alright then,” she said, her tone shifting back to its playful edge. “Nicky, give my regards to Zeth and my beautiful Sister-In-Law.”

Before they could ask what she meant, the mist around them thickened, swirling with a faint shimmer. The next thing they knew, they were back on the path where the General and the Mayor waited, the sounds of the sanctuary returning to normal. Dominic let out a soft laugh as he adjusted his coat. “Classic Auntie Diwata,” he said, shaking his head with a grin.

The Loboc River shimmered under the midday sun as the Valverde family and their companions boarded the famous floating restaurant. The gentle hum of the boat’s motor was accompanied by the rhythmic strumming of a local guitarist, whose soothing melodies added to the serene atmosphere. Tables were adorned with vibrant tropical flowers, and the air was filled with the aroma of freshly grilled seafood, roasted lechon, and sweet local delicacies.

Leigh leaned back in her chair, sipping on a glass of calamansi juice. "Now this is what I call a reward for all our hard work," she said with a grin. Arden, sitting across from her, nodded, though his gaze wandered to the lush green banks of the river. He couldn’t shake the sense of unease that had settled over him.

The General chuckled as he raised his glass. "A well-deserved break, but don’t get too comfortable. There’s always something lurking when you least expect it."

Dominic, ever the entertainer, was engaging the staff in a magic trick, producing coins seemingly out of thin air. The bodyguards laughed, their guard temporarily lowered as the boat drifted lazily downstream. The Governor, enjoying the lively atmosphere, clapped along to the guitarist’s song.

But Arden’s sharp instincts wouldn’t let him relax. He paused mid-bite, his senses tingling. A chilling feeling washed over him—a killing intent, faint but undeniable, emanating from the river.

He pushed back from the table and stood abruptly, drawing the attention of everyone onboard. His senses tingled with unease, the faint killing intent radiating from the river sharpening his focus.

“What is it?” Leigh asked, her smile fading.

Arden’s voice was low but urgent. “Something’s here. Something dangerous.” He turned to the General and the Mayor. “We need to be ready.”

The General, sensing the seriousness in Arden’s tone, immediately signaled to the bodyguards. Their jovial expressions vanished, replaced by disciplined focus. Dominic, still holding a coin, let it drop into his hand as his playful demeanor turned serious.

“Everyone, stay alert,” the General commanded. The boat’s staff and passengers looked around in confusion, but the Valverde entourage moved with swift precision, forming a protective perimeter around the passengers.