Alexis and Lyra pushed open the door, only to find the space before them pitch black. Lyra immediately took out the "Hermit" card, creating a lantern to illuminate the way. Just as they stepped inside, the back door slammed shut, causing the two girls to scream.
"AH!"
"Don't be afraid, it's just the door closing automatically!" - Lyra
"You two are really noisy!"
Suddenly, lights illuminated the entire dark space. It was decorated like a weapons shop, but with a more fairytale feel. Weapons of all kinds hung on the walls, and on the floor were display cases containing exquisite, sparkling gemstones, their value clearly evident. The light bulbs seemed to be moving.
Then, two hoarse voices spoke in turn.
"Welcome, wandering guests..."
"How dare you trespass without knocking?"
"I knocked, why haven't you come out yet?" - Lyra
"How rude! You didn't even wait for us to prepare to welcome you before barging in!"
"You lack even the most basic manners. You're truly ill-mannered!"
Lyra was about to retort when Alexis stopped her and bowed.
"We sincerely apologize for our actions. My friend was just worried about me, that's why she acted that way," - Alexis
Rustle sounds echoed through the room, like something climbing the walls. A chill ran down their spines, causing the two girls to huddle closer together.
"You smell like it..."
"And the smell of death too..."
Suddenly, Alexis was pulled away from Lyra. The front door swung open, dragging Lyra out before slamming shut. To Lyra's astonishment, she slammed the door again.
"Hey! Open the door! Alexis!" - Lyra
Inside, Alexis stood frozen, unable to move. Two dark figures landed in front of her, their faces obscured by thick raven feathers. They approached her, scrutinizing her as if appraising a piece of merchandise.
Then, a pair of hands grabbed her face, forcing her to look up at the ceiling light.
"Everything about you has been written down..."
"Death and rebirth—that is your nature..."
Alexis didn't understand what they were saying.
Her nature?
What nature?
The light from the lamp was blinding. She wanted to close her eyes, but couldn't because of the fingers forcing her eyes open.
"You can see it, can't you?"
"See what?" - Alexis
"Don't pretend, you can see it."
Suddenly, a powerful force pulled her backward. Before Alexis could react, hideous hands seized her body, moving up to her face, then forcing her eyes open.
"Open your eyes wide and look... you can see what lies beneath the surface, can't you?"
Alexis's eyes reflected the image of a writhing creature staring at her, its mouth wide open, revealing long fangs. Alexis gasped, her heart pounding so fast it was audible. The creature lunged, causing Alexis to panic.
"AAAAAAAH!!!!" - Alexis
The ceiling lights began to flicker, everything around them shook violently. Two agitated figures spoke in unison.
"Remember, Ouroboros. Remember what you've endured in your many lifetimes. Have you forgotten?"
A series of images flashed through Alexis's mind.
Immediately, the door was kicked open, and Ryu and Etham entered, slashing at the shadowy figures with their weapons. The two shadowy figures cried out in pain, dropping Alexis to the ground.
She coughed up black mucus from her mouth, struggling to breathe, but the sticky substance clung to her throat, forcing her to vomit.
"Alexis, are you alright?" Lyra rushed in, worried and flustered.
Taking out the Temperance card from her pocket and placing it on Alexis's head, the card glowed, providing some relief to the girl with glasses; the blockage in her lungs now allowed for easier airflow.
Ryu looked towards the two shadowy figures hiding in the shadows, unable to come out into the light.
"You two meddle in things you shouldn't meddle in, you stinking crows." - Ryu
"It's you again..."
"What a bunch of unruly people..."
"Just barging in like that..."
"What hateful people..."
Etham took a step forward, tapping his knife against his hand as if taunting the two shadowy figures.
"Mind your own business. If it weren't for respecting 'that person,' you wouldn't be able to live off our backing." - Etham
Hearing this, the two shadowy figures spoke in hoarse voices, full of dissatisfaction.
"Guh, of course we know..."
"But everything has its limits..."
"Don't bring that up..."
"And you're bullying us..."
"Stop talking nonsense and hand over your weapons." - Ryu glared.
A series of angry growls erupted from the shadows.
"Grr...what an ungrateful bunch!"
"Ungrateful!"
A pair of hands, or rather, the hands of two different people, stretched out before them. A drop of dark blood on the ground separated into droplets of red blood that floated upwards, then mixed with iron and amethyst to form a knife with a sharp, kitchen-knife-like blade and a black handle.
"Here is your weapon. The Athame knife, a sacred ceremonial knife, not usually used for ordinary physical cutting..."
"Primarily used to transmit and control energy in magical rituals. Come closer to take it."
Ryu turned her head to look at Alexis, then slightly tilted his head, gesturing for her to take the knife. Alexis timidly stood up and approached the hands, fearing she would be captured by the two dark figures again. She gently took the knife from the ears of the two dark figures, one hand grasping the handle and the other the blade.
"It's done. Now, get out of here!"
"Get out of here and never come back!"
And so all four of them left, the door slamming shut, making the bell jingle. Etham put his arms behind his head and walked away.
"That's it. Let's go home for dinner. I want to eat roasted crow tonight." - Etham
Lyra followed Etham, leaving Ryu and Alexis gazing at the Athame knife in their hands, no longer bothered by what had just happened.
"Keep that thing, it will help you a lot. It's not just an ordinary weapon." - Ryu
"I understand...and I'm sorry for causing you trouble." - Alexis
Ryu walked ahead, not forgetting to utter a sentence before leaving.
"You're such an idiot, so cowardly yet you still rushed headlong into this? It's incomprehensible." - Ryu
By the time they got home, it was dark. Alexis looked at the Athame knife in her hand for a long time. A strange feeling welled up inside her, a feeling she couldn't quite describe.
The little wolf, Wiro, perched on her, wondered.
"What were you thinking?" - Wiro
"I don't know, it feels so hazy. Sometimes I think it's all just a dream." - Alexis
A sigh escaped the wolf, and he lay down on Alexis.
"But maybe what happened wasn't a dream after all." - Wiro