Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

My characters are mine. Katies characters are theirs.

Prepare for anything and everything.

Guideline:

Italics means thoughts.

‘Italics’ like this means telepathy.

“Speech!” means normal dialogue.

Bolded means emphasis.

Deviations may occur.

Into the Cards

—

Chapter 1: Divine Intervention

'Save me!'

“It's…

“Eh?”

He woke up. Bed sheets? Gone. Pillows? Erased.

It was cold, as usual. Though that was not because of some blaring air conditioner overhead.

“Where the fuuu-"

He was inside a forest.

An old one at that. Instead of a forest where the beasts were mythical and would have mauled him alive, it was probably some adventuring team's wet dream. The grass here was a deep shade of green, like they were supposed to die but didn't.

The trees? As tall as the clouds, or might as well be. 

Could he do it?

Yeah he could do it.

"AHHHHHHHH!!!"

Deepwoods were silent. Like the calm after the storm. So much so, even the loudest sound he could emit didn't make any birds fly. There were simply none to begin with. How the fuck do I get home?

Another thing. Why did he feel so light? A strong gust of wind would probably send him up like a balloon. It was like water...

Okay, that maybe isn't the best comparison. Uh, it was kinda hard to move in water.

Speaking of, he needed to find a shelter and clean drinking water. Food was also a big problem but he could fast. Finding a river would do him good, since he wasn't in the desert, going upstream should be number one priority. He ran as fast he could-

'Save me!'

"Wah?!"

Creaaaaaak!

The tree he ran into fell, as the gaping hole in its base broke it apart.

Blink. Blink.

Yikes. Either the branch was that old or he got super powers. He got up, knocked on another, lightly. The tree snapped like a twig...

So he did have superpowers.

Oh yeah! He was going to have to learn controlling this, which was a small problem. This was awesome! Now he could beat the brakes off of people who annoyed him. Finally, the moment he didn't mind happening to him actually did. An Isekai!!

Too bad…

He was no stranger to alternate worlds where the plot took a huge a crap on the characters. It was better to have just stayed at home at that point, and it probably was, being dropped in the middle of fucking nowhere — a damn creepy forest-

Oh wait a minute...

“I remember now. That thing kidnapped me.”

Another thing, his relationship with his family wasn't as terrible as those guys. His family and friends were probably pissing themselves searching for him. Oh how he would miss them.

Well, that might be a bit generous. At least his friends weren't going to find out about his status until years and years, when they wanted something out of him. In any case, he did see his kidnapper.

Rather odd. They were not human — asked him if he wanted to be born again. Over and over, for like an hour-

'Save me! Please...'

Okay, the weird voice inside his head wasn't a hallucination. He could even pinpoint the direction where that noise originated.

Tch. If that thing wanted me to save someone, they could have said so. I almost pissed my pants seeing… whatever the hell that was.

No time to ponder about stuff. He needed to move, now.

Dead.

Walking, breathing, but dead.

“Come on, open!” 

No matter how much she pulled, the gates to freedom had remained shut like an anchor. 

Of course it was locked. “Just my… freaking luck!” 

Forget about holding back. This was her life on the line.

She tried to break open the window, though they were also really tough. Claire’s hands were near breaking after several attempts. It was not like she was to give up, though. She simply had no choice.

Then a shadow loomed over her.

“It’s not luck. You were destined to die. The moment you opened that door.”

Claire turned around to face the reaper. Growing as tall as a tree, that coal-like abyss was her true form. Her eyes had met her reaper, and Claire realized that it wasn't death that was after her. “P- please don't kill me!”

It was a plea that came from the deepest depths of her heart.

“No."

This particular subject was to be a message to the school. Particularly, Miss Grace. The mouthless face that she split open — a gigantic maw that swallowed more lives than anyone could count.

It was not an exaggeration to say that Alice was built for violence. “SOMEONE HELP!”

You know, it was strange, how much she could stand all these without breaking down already.

Engel saved her. Her body functioned overtime, running after being nicked in the heel by Bloomie. She managed to dodge all the slashes from a teleporting, shape shifter, demon princess too…

Couldn't there be… one more miracle?

KERCHAK!

BANG!!

“What.”

Miss Grace knew that some stupid student broke the one rule they really shouldn't. Somehow. Considering that Alice hadn't talked her ear off about how this affront to her was rapidly stretching her mercy, maybe this person actually put up a fight-

…

Fight as in. Running away as best as possible. There was only one exit in this entire building and it was locked.

Rest in peace.

It wasn't like she could save them.

That BANG!! felt like a grenade. 

Whether it was Bloomie’s science experiment or not, it was better to check out the only exit in this whole building.

She was the fastest to check the potential damages, ushering everyone back into their class that had gotten near to finding out the source of the disturbance. What she found was far worse than if the school got nuked, someone unknown engaging in battle with the local demon.

They had a halo. A broken, yellow with the outer edges being black.

A rogue, undocumented Visitor engaging a Major Arcana Visitor in a fight!?

She held her phone out  on her hand and dialed a very important number.

“Overwatch? I have something urgent to report. Requesting Hammer for immediate suppression of two Visitors.”

Huh?

“Phew. You okay?”

What?

Whatwhatwhatwhatwhat?!!

“Uhm… sure?”

The grass under her felt like the clouds of heaven carrying her off to safety, compared to the cold halls of Paper School.

At the mercy of a demon a moment ago to thirty feet away from the cursed school, Claire’s current emotional state had also jumped drastically. “Nice. Anyway, you should probably run now. That… uh…”

"Yeah! You... I can't move my legs! But otherwise I'm good." She lost her eye, for fuck sake. Claire's legs hadn't awoken to the sense of how close death was.

It was not good.

“You..."

“Oh. Here."

Alice was ignored. The man needed to ask this girl about if she knew what was up with his current predicament — he wasn't stupid enough to think it was more important than her well-being, duh.

The man helped her get up. “T- thanks."

"No problem."

This next few moments were troiblesome. He never fought to the death. He was a fast runner. Itwas probably better to escape with her. Combating a nine foot tall demon while protecting someone didn't sound like a good time. “DON'T IGNORE ME.”

Ah, make that nine foot tall demon who could teleport. Holy shit-

She was mid-swing. His body appeared to be possessed, because he didn't even begin to process that he dodged it by leaning back and rocked her with a counter to the chest.

“Hkh.”

“Ow!”

It was like trying to punch a boulder. Blood. Orange blood? Some shards dug into his fist as well. Nope, definitely not beating this monster anytime soon.

I don't think I even asked for her name. Damn, hope we meet again.

Alice was winded, at least.

Claire had no thoughts other than to not die today. So she just ran, again.

Truthfully, where would she go?

Home? If this person had lost to Alice, she would be a sitting duck, waiting nicely for her gruesome death.

The police? What were they gonna do? Shoot her? Her skin was absurdly bulletproof! Besides no way with all the wild things happening in this town that someone never tried.

The forest? Why? It was on the other side of school. Or way past the other side of this large town.

Even if this guy wins against her. I don't think he can kill Alice.

Claire was doomed. Angering the three teachers guaranteed that her time was to be quite stressful. Opening that blue door sealed her future to be miserable, and short. She needed to get away from here, go to another school. Or have them all die.

She ran faster. No, no, she must go to the police station. They could drive her out of town. While… slowing Alice down if she gave chase.

Alice growled. Swung her claws at his neck. He dodged it, again. No counter this time. 

She stomped the ground. The man jumped away; his senses told him so. Good thing he did, because numerous swords jutted out from the ground. It would have sliced him open.

When some reasonable distance was made against that surprise Visitor, Alice focused back on her original prey. This man was troublesome, and there was no doubt that they were coming here as quickly as possible. She was to teleport over and decapitate her right this instant for her transgressions-

“The hell do you think you're going?”

“Get your-"

You would think he didn't have any abilities to stop people from warping, but it seemed that Alice’s teleportation was prevented if someone had a hold of her. Which might sound like a weakness — it really wasn't.

Before she could conjure more spikes to impale the punk blonde, he kicked her stomach and sent her skating across the pavement. Almost back to school.

This bastard. This bastard. This bastard. This bastard. This bastard-

Alice had never experienced bullshit like this. Claire was incredibly quick when her adrenaline. That was fine. It was more fun that way. If she had knowledge of this interloper, she was to kill her sooner than planned. Now she was out of sight.

Using numerous warps were a waste of time. Claire could hide and this person wouldn't sit idly stupidly. She supposed the hunting priority landed squarely on this person with a halo...

Which was impossible to do in time. Hammer was coming.

“Your name... Your Outer God. Who are they?"

If it was the same entity she first thought of as a guess, that broken halo was good evidence against that hypothesis. And, to be real, Xister was ten thousand times of a worse person than he was, and she had an intact halo to show off.

“Outer… God? You mean they exist?! From Lovecraft?!!”

“Yes. They… they exist.

“But who the hell is Lovecraft?" she muttered in the last part.

“What are they, exactly? Do they look like abstract art?”

“No? You're supposed to know this… didn't you get debriefed by them? Or did some research of your own? Contacting Outer Gods isn't easy. If it contacted you, it should have explained it. Unless..."

"Unlesssss?"

They chose a bad lamb. Or maybe they intentionally made the prey strong, for their entertainment.

Welp, her fighting mood was defanged. So much so, Alice had morphed back into something their parents would actually call Alice. There was no need to get angry at rowdy livestock "Not telling you."

"You little-

“You're… a girl girl?!”

Miss Grace was relieved. Looks like this building was to be destroyed at another time. Alice sprang her hair — a shrug.

“Fine. I'll tell you my name is Yi Rek Sencio. Some weird bismuth thing kidnapped. Red. Yellow. Bluish. Asked me if I wanted to be born again for hours. Now I'm here. Happy now?"

Alice blinked. A unique Visitor… like… [Censored]?

“Mm. Yes. Happy to know you're actually supposed to be a victim to that person. Goodbye, Yi Rek."

She clapped her hands, as if she had found a new favorite comedian. Miss Grace nearly crushed her phone at the revelation. Some students and teachers approached the scene — well, would have, if she didn't shout for them to go back in the class.

“HUH?! Are you joking?!”

“Nope. My name is Alice. Remember it well.”

"I'm not-"

He wasn't finished. Alice decided to teach this man a lesson. Screw [Censored]. This man was going to be her food now.

"Shut up. Don't ask me anymore questions. I hate you. Hate you utterly, to the deepest parts of my bone. You and everyone you know will die by my hands, and I will savor eating your heart," smirked Alice.

An honest, earnest curve that really shouldn't be accompanied by such venomous words. Well, admittedly, there was really no preventing him from going to the other side of the world, but she had a lot of time. All the more to savour it when she finally splattered his heart across her fangs.

She was so calm a moment ago, bru.

Fuck it.

Luckily, or unluckily, he could throw back the ball into her court. Not a coward. "Then come rip my guts out, right now. I'm right here, aren't I?!!"

Miss Grace readied her tranquilizer darts. Strong ones. "Ohhh Graceeee~”

No. No one will destroy this school.

Alice’s words crawled in their ears. Yi Rek jumped at her, linear and predictable. It didn't have to be anything else though. Blocking that would mean you would have to face a truck head on. For Alice, basically a peer. So...

“H- hey!"

Thankfully, he was pelted by darts before he took a swing at her.

Yi Rek fell flat on his face. “Go back inside. Don't make any more of a mess than you have already done."

“Sureeee. You’ll have to watch your head next time someone enters my room. See you around,” Alice waved.

You know…

That Claire girl seems familiar for some reason.

“Gah!!”

A few seconds later. He was up and about, like he didn't get tranquilized with something potent enough to knock out elephants. That was regeneration for you. “Salutations, I am Miss Grace, principal of this school. Would you be so kind as to wait for your arrest?"

“...”

“Is that a yes?”

“What for? I saved someone, didn't I?”

The promise of having the full support of a governing body calmed him down and even made the journey to their real headquarters as quiet as a mouse.

It wasn't all swell. Kept in a windowless cell with handcuffs that were way oversized.

Worse thing was, he wasn't let out of his restraints after getting off (it was an hour). Had a bag over his head when walking into their headquarters...

I am killing all of them if they're dissecting him.

He doubted that these cuffs could hold him. It wasn't draining his power. After a couple of minutes, the sounds of opening doors stopped. Behind him, the entryway closed.

“Apologies for the treatment. Yi Rek, was it?

Yi Rek was finally freed from his blinds. Only to reel back and smack the wall behind him. “What the fuck? You don't have a face?!”

“I don't, yes. Visitor status grants weird boons to you, and your body. My name is Krein. Have a seat.”

Around them were typical black site stuff. Smooth walls. One way window, probably explosion-proof. A table and chair. Weirdly, Krein seemed to have the same appearance as this complex, like he was this building’s son.

Perfect sharp suit, if a bit old and dusty fedora.

His face could use some make up. It had one glowing yellow line instead of the usual two eyes, nose and mouth.

Other than that, the details were blurry. “Right. I guess I should start with a biography? My name is Yi Rek. 19. Uh. Hm. 68 kilograms? Six feet tall. Work? At a pizza place. Hobbies? I don't know. Eating? Sleeping, definitely."

Krein urged him to continue. "What made you become a Visitor?"

"Nothing. It just happened one day. Wanted to go to work. Then one day some bismuth thingy tesseract kidnapped me. Red. Blue and yellowish. Can you guys take me home, by the way?" He didn't want this drag out for six hours, so forgive him if he was rapid firing the answers.

“We can't do that, I am afraid. Technologies like that are out of our reach. Of course, Outer Gods are another matter. But they are fickle. Could you contact your Outer God? Or have you already asked?”

Krein tapped the table.

Great. So I’m fucking stuck here, in this shitty world.

Okay, it wasn't fair to say that so soon...

Actually, maybe it was. First impressions matter, didn't it?

He shook his head, “Nope. No phone number. I think they really just left me here to die. That Alice gal said something about me being a stepping stone for someone?"

“I may know what is up. But it was a long time ago... for me anyway-"

Yi Rek almost launched himself at him.

“Tell me now!" shouted Yi Rek. Krein suffered the move back and forth via tugging his collar.

“Its a digital virus. Has the same color scheme as that bismuth thing you talked about."

He slumped in his seat. That wasn't the smoking gun he was looking for. “Is… that it?"

"Yes."

THIS IS DOOMED!!!

Well, for all the doom and gloom his state radiated, it wasn't that bad. There was a path to be taken. Searching for some digital virus. In any case — to cut things short, the Visitors were the Outer God’s blessed.

Getting contacted by one was extremely rare, and requesting communication with them was only marginally easier. The Outer Gods weren't evil. But they had no reason to treat mortals like us that differently from ants.

Not that being a Visitor was the only way to have supernatural powers. 

“Outside of that, that's all the things you should know about the Visitors-”

“LET ME THROUGH. THERE'S A UNIQUE VISITOR AROUND HERE. I MUST EXPERIMENT.”

Bang! Bang!

Uh…

So, Unique Visitors (transmigrators or other specific ways too long to detail) were rare indeed. Possibly one of the rarest thing to happen in the universe, excluding an Outer God descending to the physical world. 

“That’s Dr. Alexa. Quite spirited, isn't she?” Krein chuckled.

“Isn't this place sound proofed?”

He was not pussy enough to whimper at the thought of some crazy lady going after him. But wow, not this crazy, okay? Yi Rek had limits.

Still, he thought of it like this, who would you employ to do something a little impossible? Yeah, it would be someone crazily fanatical. “If you would appreciate a more in-depth explanation on your nature, go to her. My time here is done.”

An internet virus, right? Heh. Just download some fucking off brand shit and I'll get 'em in a year.

Positive thoughts, yesyes.

“I do have one more piece of advice for you. Remember who you are. There's no reason to not use your powers for good,” Krein coughed. He pushed a button, which opened the door that sealed away Dr. Alexa.

He could drink to that. “Heyyyy! It's me. Dr. Alexa!”

Sencio swore she was fast enough to create sonic booms. 

“Give me your blood!!"

"Ouch."

"Ah! Are you okay? Do you want a lollipop with that?" Dr. Alexa bent down and stared at her subject. He was no kid, anyhow.

“Just do your job…” grumbled Rek. His left arm was particularly sore from that "injection". Why did she even take that much blood?

“Sniffffff! Smells like oranges…”

Once the vial was sucked a bit dry, she took it out of the holster. Dr. Alexa’s next action happened to Yi Rek’s shock and horror. “M- Miss Grace? Is she always this freaky?”

“Yes… yes she is. And I prefer her this way. You probably would too, if you saw her before she regained some joy in her life,” sipped Miss Grace. She was on call.

“Mmmmmm-”

"Miss Grace. Help!"

“Right, stop that before we get sued.”

“Aw, but really. You guys can never catch me if I wanted that," said the doctor. She nearly whimpered.

“If the… ‘bill’ gets footed to me, I’m putting a foot up your ass.”

“Try me. Andddd. Done! Here we go…”

List of powers was something like this:

1. Regeneration.

2. Superhuman physique.

3. Stronger in day.

4. Weaker at night.

5. Fire manipulation.

6. Danger sense.

That was a pretty good list! He never knew that he could have used fire. Probably would have been useful back then, against Alice. "You know, I was expecting something more than this. Disappointing.”

“Whaaat? Really? What do the other... Major Arcade? Visitors have?”

“Major Arcana, toopid. I-" Dr. Alexa was cut off.

"Nope. We're not starting this conversation. Yi Rek. You have a choice on how to conduct yourself. Either join me at my school, or join the government in hunting rogue Visitors,” demanded Miss Grace. It was an ultimatum.

He hummed, "Give me a reason why I should join you? I don't think I wanna waste my time spending around in some fucked school rather than actually making progress going home. Alice wants me dead, right?"

“Can you beat Alice?”

…

“No? I mean, if me and that Krein guy team up, a hundred percent. No doubt about it.”

"Sure, if Krein was there. He isn't, most of the time. At best, he's late. How about the inverse. Can Alice beat you?"

"Nahhhh. It's impossible for her. She's stuck to that school, right?"

Good. He wasn't dumb. Alice was much stronger inside the school than outside. It was her territory.

“I, on the behalf of this country, made a deal with Alice. She will be confined to that building until the day I die, and she can never kill me unless she wants to die herself — Krein will cut his losses to make her eternal lifespan into a month, at most. Well, there's more to the contract but that was that. This is this."

She continued, "With you around, that would change. Nobody has to worry about a Major Arcana like Alice when you — a Major Arcana on your own right — is there to safeguard her. This town is already bad enough with Arcanas anyway."

Oh. So they could function more efficiently without having to worry about Alice? There was also some manpower to be freed if he took this path. The entirety of team Hammer would be moved to handle other objectives. Particularly the search for an sentient internet virus.

"So, when do we kill her?"

“Do you remember what Visitors are?"

"Blessed of the..."

It needed eight seconds to settle. “Dead Visitors meant angry Outer Gods?”

“Indeed. That is why, outside of extreme circumstances, we always seal them. The unique thing about Alice is that she doesn't operate alone. Her parents are also a problem," revealed Miss Grace. He wasn't going to lie. More and more problems sprung about with every one that had plans to be fixed.

“Got it. Just one problem, where the hell will I live? I'm homeless! Unless you want to give me a house??"

"You can live with me," relented Miss Grace. If she had some leftover budget, she would give him a home to call his own.

Dr. Alexa giggled. “Or you could..."

“I don't wanna hear none of it from you."

“Shame. Your loss~"

“Yeahyeah. Open this shit up, I'm tired.” It might have been shocking to hear that he always had the restraints on for… how long?

While Dr. Alexa said to hold on, Miss Grace gave him a send off. "I shall brief you on your duties and plans when you're ready, security guard."

Grace hung up. He thought that was that-

“Aahhhh. One more thing, since you're a pretty unique and strong Visitor. You get to choose the Major Arcana card!” That was Dr. Alexa scrambling to make him not run right that instant

“Uhhh. What are they?”

“The Hanged Man…”

Choose a card? What a scam. He couldn't see what he was picking. If he could, this would be one of his last picks, this was a bad thing to draw, wasn't it?

At least it wasn't the Fool… or the Death… or the Tower.

Speaking of, the Fool, the Hermit, the Tower, the Devil, the Magician, the Death and the Lovers were something to look out for in these lands. 

He already met the Fool — Krein and the Tower — Alice.

Why couldn't they just assign the titles?

...

Dr. Alexa...

You... you look a lot like that one girl.

Oh shit. How could I forget about her? I saved her, didn't I? And I haven't even asked her if she knew what was up with my situation.

Was she still running? That would be funny...

And a little sad.

More he thought about it. Damn. The Paper School experience was scuffed to shit. Students there probably feel like they're knee deep in Hell.

Security guard, hm?

He was going to be the best there ever was.

To be continued.

Chapter Text

Into the Cards

—

Chapter 2: Introductions Are In Order!

The internet virus had eyes everywhere. Perks of being a digital lifeform. Insecure cameras were basically an extra sense to them. Not that she needed to be a peeping tom to sense that he arrived. Their gift!

Sadly, he landed right next to Alice, of all people.

He's here. At what cost?

A month ago, they asked their Outer God to give them something to satiate one of their innermost desire to escape from this world, into somewhere else calmer and safer.

They expected nothing of it. And for a month, they were right! How fickle these beings were. Outer Gods? They couldn't even qualify as angels with how useless they were. Until the day of reckoning, where they were proven wrong. Everyone in Canada that had even something resembling a sixth sense of the supernatural had known something major was happening in the town of New Aklavik...

For a Major Arcana Visitor like them, it was childs play to check the source of the disturbance via scrying. There he was...

Moment they laid their eyes on him, they knew that he was that missing key to break open the gates to their new world.

To repeat, this wasn't all fortunate. He landed right next to Alice — who he provoked and now they also had to fight Alice for this precious resource. Consequently, the government had their eyes on him too. "I don't think he's gullible. By force by force... Nameless Werewolf? No, she's not strong enough to do it quietly."

Major forces like those together were insurmountable. Nameless Wolf, all the members of the rock band couldn't guarantee anything. Internet virus didn't take that angel comment back.

S. M. H!

Even when the Outer "Gods" delivered, they made it as hard as possible to actually nab the package.

Oh well, this meant the smart move would be nudging things in certain ways to get what they wanted, with subtlety. Simpler being to just wait it out. Visitors like they were always cursed to love most interesting lives.

“Psh. Right, gullibility and manipulation are two different things."

It shouldn't be too hard. Gullible was one thing. Hot head was another. 

“Tsktsk. I feel bad for him. Getting eyed like a piece of meat. Haha. In a twisted way, I guess he has a 'harem'."

Ones after his heart. Literally.

Something like this needed some popcorn and some soda to go along with. Time to play.

Not present time.

“WHY DID YOU LOCK ME UP?”

Claire had gone to the police station as planned, huffing herself a storm after reaching her destination. Running wasn't easy.

Felt like her heart would have jumped out to go on a vacation. In any case, the relief of being around people that could defend her against the three deadly teachers was palpable. Probably kept her heart from doing what was outlined before.

However, she got kept in a cell instead of being transported out of this hellhole of a town. At least there was no sign of Alice.

That was mostly a good thing. 

The little part that was bad, was because they should have let her go an hour ago since there was no crazy demoness trying to maul her apart.

Now it was way in the evening, her stomach hungry and her patience thin, like hair. “I KNOW YOU HEAR MEEEEE! THE FOOD HERE IS TERRIBLE. WORSE THAN SCHOOL LUNCH. GOD, I am going to chew through the bars at this point."

The police didn't say anything. Thus no one could refute her.

Ding!!

She tested how hard the steel here was.

“Ow.”

Both the bar and her teeth rung like a telephone.

“Claire. What are you doing??” said someone who closed their mouth. They were just in time to witness her antics, created out of being bored and feeling grateful to be alive.

“O- oh, hi Biscuit! And Anova!”

“Hello!”

“Hi.”

Claire beamed… before it hit her that she shouldn't be proud. Not in this place. Not after that. “Isn't this pretty far from where you guys live? Sorry for troubling you two. What did the police tell you?"

“It's fine. They told us nothing much. Apparently you're in protective custody? They said you are to be released when your principal arrives," explained Biscuit. Claire groaned. So that was why. 

Anova poked at Biscuit's side. He raised his eyebrows before chuckling. "Hey, I actually got some cookies for you. Isn't much, but I hope you like it.”

“Ah, thanks! You're a life saver.”

“Don't sweat it. I would be really cruel to ignore you biting metal,” joked Bisuit. It even made Anova smile, if a little small.

Claire rubbed the back of her head. The inside jokes were going to be merciless. She gave it a bite. This was better than last time.

“Claire," Anova spoke.

"Mhm?" She raised her head so that her eyes didn't get shadowed by her hat and pointed with some urgency on the girl's missing eye. "Ah, that, it's a long story. I… uh, frankly, I don't know if I should tell you guys this."

They treated her the best they could when she came panicking through that door.

Biscuit frowned. Honestly, that should have been the focus from the very first second they finally had the chance to group up again. “I got attacked by Alice. She slashed my eye out after I entered her room. I only escaped because some guy saved me. I..."

Abbie. Lana... I'll miss you two.

Claire remembered them.

Safe to say, Biscuit and Anova were not hardened combat veterans. Even when they had seen their fair share of gruesome fates, it was only now that their friend had gotten so close to turning out like the corpses they stumbled upon while in the forest that the sound of glass breaking rung in their head.

Frustration? Hatred? Grief? Shock? Sadness? Disbelief? Those were all true.

Truest of them all? Despair. It wasn't like they could do anything about it. "Two- two students-"

“Quite the tall tale you are spreading, young Claire.” As if the shadow itself was suddenly alive, Miss Grace showed herself with Engel and Bubble in tow without much fanfare.

“Miss Grace! It's… so nice to see you."

Miss Grace squinted, at the two "foreigners".

“Ahem. We’re Claire’s friends! Nothing to worry here.”

Anova nodded; Biscuit handed her a thumbs up.

“Right. Here are the keys. This never happened,” glared Miss Grace.

“Nothing happened here?! Youuuuu… what?”

The gal in the cell didn't have the opportunity to greet her friends at school, or process that two members of her Moe Moe School Club were gone, just like that.

But…

Something that even scarier than Alice reared their heads around the corner, from behind Miss Grace.

“How?”

Present Time.

This scene, again.

“Mannnnnn.”

New world. Same old nightmares.

Anger was terrible, truly. This sight used to shake every fibre of his being, yet it couldn't make him budge. It couldn't even be called a nightmare anymore. All of this was too grainy to even try to act scared. But I have to admit... I really did a bad thing back then.

He crashed the car. Because he was angry. Thankfully, it was only a tree that he crashed into. Car was badly damaged, but no one got hurt. His dad ripped him to shreds, rightfully so. "Here he comes."

Old Yi Rek sat on the grass, at the side of the road. For some reason, his face was visible to the future and current Sencio.

“Wow. I made that type of face?” It checked out. That was like, a year ago? Maybe more.

Though...

No car caught on fire that day. So why was it that the trunk of their car was blazing? “Welp, I think that's enough remember for today. Let's see if I can lucid dream out of here."

If he couldn't, after having this boon shoved down his throat, what was the point?

He tried to move the world, through the air. No matter how many invisible gears he attempted to turn, nothing sung to his will.

Dang.

If imagining things to be beautiful were too hard for him, then how about something outright diabolical? He breathed in and visualized the worst hell he could ever conceive in all his lifetime…

No. A black void wasn't the worst, even if it was pretty bad-

“Mmngh?”

Oh. He woke up.

Recalling yesterday, there was nothing special when he visited Miss Grace's residence. They introduced each other... to eachother and tutored him about his role in Paper School. What he should do, what protocols were in place, what he should watch out for and maybe some training plans. Oh, she also did the house tour, which was neat.

After that he crashed into bed, was very comfortable. Probably the best sleep he had in ages.

Creak! Him stretching around was like an old willow moving its ancient branches, he yawned and admired how… clean the air was. One could even say it was fresh. “Morning Yi Rek. I’ve prepared you some black coffee and a sandwich.”

“Ah, thanks…”

“No problem.”

Huh? Wait, that voice wasn't Miss Grace “WHAT? Y- YOU FREAK?!"

The robot clutched their pearls. Heartbroken.

"How could you be so rude to me? After all the things I've done for you..." Dr. Alexa's drone seemed to be inside of Miss Graces abode. This one, nobody told him about.

Actually, I don't even think Miss Grace knows she has this inside of her house.

“Girl, don't scare me like that ever again. I almost got a heart attack."

Well, he was barred from exploring the basement and her bedroom, so it might have to do with that. Also, odd thing about Miss Grace's bedroom Inside there was a bunch of things, like a portrait of some girl with terrific muscles?

But you didn't hear that from him, if Miss Grace ever asked. “Eh. How are you scared of this? I made this to be adorable."

The robot she was talking through was really short, like, shorter than the real Dr. Alexa who didn't even reach five six. It took after her creator's colors. To compare it to someone, it was something like a Mimi? Was that right?

Ahem. Onto more dire straits, he responded. “Does Miss Grace know?"

"No. Could you back me up?"

The colorful robot blinked. He replied, "Absolutely not. Go bother on your own time. I think I'm already stretching her grace."

“Mmm, I wonder what Miss Grace would think if I told her that you — yes, you, are the one that asked me to be here,” Junior Alexa smiled. Had her left arm prop up her right to point at the sky. What the vindictive nerd shit was this?!

“So, that’s the story?”

Truthfully, it wasn't anything too big, on Yi Rek’s part. It was on Junior Alexa to have the sharp daggers of an old woman dig invisible pits into her frontal lobe. By then, she was used to it anyway. “Yeah! I can take care of food, laundry, and other matters for you two! Rek can attest to my cooking skills."

"Mhm." Not going to say much. Four in the damn morning grinded the hell out of his patience. New body or powers be damned. Miss Grace did this for how long? God…

She didn't have any powers, did she?

“Very well. You know the rules. Yi Rek. Get ready. We’re late.”

Miss Grace had her uniform and a large briefcase. She probably woke up an hour before he did. No wonder principals back home were insanely cranky.

“Sorry boss. Give me five minutes,” said Yi Rek. Quite a great for the soon-to-be greatest security guard ever. He made himself sparse and looked to clean up.

“Are you going to… you know, include him in the missions?” whistled Junior Alexa. Grace hummed. Of course she would, it would be good training for him.

She wondered, This robot…

Was Alexa actually controlling Junior Alexa manually? Wasn't that tiring? Wasn't she busy? It was almost like she never slept. To pull this with her workload magnitude. 

“I’m done.”

She swallowed, better than spitting the coffee out. “It's only been… a minute?”

“Duh,” chuckled Yi Rek. Had a thumb up to divert her attention to the halo, who was covered by an orange hat.

His outfit was all orange. There was a badge spelling out his full name. Yi Rek Sencio. He seemed to have all his items on his form as well.

“Let's get going, then.”

In any case, they were probably still going to be ten minutes late. The town had, for some reason, the largest population density ratio known to man. It rivaled New York, even if there wasn't more than tens of thousands living here — Miss Grace’s house was on the edge of town.

“Goodbye you two! Safe travels,” waved the robot.

“Uh. You know, I think it's probably faster if I carry you there.”

“Daring, but no. What kind of principal would I be if you carried me to school?” muttered the old hag. They got in the car and it was a simple twist to get it up — ready to run.

Run it did. The ride to the school was silent.

“Miss Grace is late. Has she passed?”

“We’re probably the ones that aren't on time. That's why she locked us out.”

“No way. You would really think that she's gonna want to hear another school meal complaint from the students? I need to cook. We can't be late twice. That'll be horrible!”

There were more staff than expected, lounging around the school. 

Miss Circle, Miss Bloomie and Miss Thavel together. Doing… stuff that wasn't befitting of their positions. 

Miss Sasha, Miss Emily and Mister Demi were close to a vending machine.

Right now, the ones who discussed Miss Grace’s MIA status were the lunch lady, librarian and the nurse. A couple more adults were around, though they kept to themselves. Nearly invisible.

Skrrttt!!

“Is that her?”

That was why the car ride was empty of words.

“Yes, it is,” coughed the gym teacher. He smelled her scent. It was a strong… coffee scent. But there was also another. This one was not pleasing.

The janitor bothered to utilize his vocal cords for the first time in a while, “No way. Those wheel tracks… it's hers?!”

She drifted into her parking spot flawlessly.

“Good morning, Miss Grace! How are you late?” vocalized Miss Circle, who had that incredible excess that seemed to pronounce words with an extra “do” and “su” every few words.

“Everyone. I know it's sudden, but meet our new security guard. Sencio.” Yi Rek faced the dozen faces that had found many things that shouldn't be witnessed by human eyes.

Talk about being a fish out of water. His eyes were as wide as one trying to say something. “Hey. It's Sencio, like she said.”

“Mmm... Derla! That's the name. You're kinda short for security. The last guy we had was the tallest. He had wings too.” That was the lunch lady with her chef hat and apron proudly displayed with a lot of… doodles.

She was a walking cat, much like Biscuit and Anova. Black plus purple, instead of blue or orange. Cute. Nonetheless, seeing as she was like, five inches taller than he was...

Tch. Everyone here has gigantism or what?

“We don't talk about ex-employees. Don't be respectful, and I’ll be sure to take a quarter of your wage to Sencio,” barked Miss Grace. 

Everyone saved their opinions when they met him one on one. Introductions were fast, and if he didn't have his powers, he probably would have caught none.

Mr. Mura, the Gym Teacher and Lifeguard. Notably, the only one who was disabled, blind.

Ms. Derla, the Lunch Lady.

Ms. Crow, the Librarian.

Mr. Kanton, the Janitor.

Ms. Patchy, the Nurse.

So on and so forth. Apparently, there was supposed to be a vice principal but she was only coming back next week. They were fifteen minutes late.

“Right, check if Alice is doing the funny business, yes?"

“Yes. Turn on the lights when you're done patrolling. Remember, don't disturb her.”

There was nothing in the rules that prevented her from playing a prank on the staff, or the students. She wasn't all that motivated before but since Sencio was security. Might as well make him bite the bullet.

He stepped into the darkness. No flashlight at all. Cleared every room and hall in under a minute. After that was time for the lights to come on, it was slightly harder than pressing one big button.

Bang.

Bang.

Bang.

Lights came out roaring like thunder.

“Boo," smirked the tanned princess.

“Ah?! Who..."

Wait.

“Alice? Aren't you supposed to be in your room? Go away," chewed out Sencio. They weren't going to fight in the first day of his job right? He hadn't even clocked in yet.

The princess crowed, "No. Just want to test you. And get to know you. Apparently you're a scaredy cat."

"Okay, I might prefer you declaring that you want to claw my guts out." This was creeping him out. She knew something he didn't. Maybe it was unrelated to him being stepping stone.

"I could do that, if you want. I haven't tasted another Visitor in such a long time~"

“Look, I am ready if you wanna fight,” Yi Rek grumbled.

Alice shook her hands, “Pff. No. While this is my prison, this is also my territory. I have accepted Miss Grace's contract for a reason and there's no reason to ruin it now."

“Because you never graduated?”

Alice  was at a loss of words, for five seconds. It seemed that his wit was not lacking. "I was in college before this. Thank you very much. I shall go now. She's here."

“You do you.” Alice blended with the walls once she was far away.

Other faculties had their own troubles to prepare for. Miss Grace ordered, “Mr. Mura told me Alice spoke to you. I ran here as fast as I could. What did she say?”

“I dunno. She was acting kind of weird. Was out and around in electricity for some reason. I think she wanted to scare me?” 

Miss Grace touched her chin. The barest hint of a recently-lit shine dawned in her eyes.

“I see. Don't let her demeanor fool you. She's not a girl girl. She's a demon that must be contained. Besides, she already has a boyfriend.”

“Huh? She does? The hell kind of a guy likes her?!” shouted Sencio. 

“That guy's name is Oliver. Speaking of, watch out for them. The other teachers are not all friendly either, particularly Miss Circle, Miss Travel and Miss."

Sencio frowned. He remembered them. Their fangs did not shy away from flashing. “Why?"

“Time spent here has not been kind to their psyche.”

So Alice isn't the only threat?

Why didn't she tell him any of this sooner? “Okay. So make that… four that I have to wipe out the census. I’m…”

Was he okay with this?

Were they okay with this?

How could they be so... relaxed when these halls that should be safe were coated in the blood of the innocent? “We don't have many choices in the matter. The three are untouchable because they're strong and are under command of Alice. Killing one would have angered the othe two."

Can she read my mind?

“Look. I understand. Anyone sane would question why we didn't remove this blight on existence itself a long time ago. The answer is we simply couldn't afford to, unless we want this town go be set ablaze like Hell itself. As well as half of Canada. But with you here, our... my time here would end, soon. By retiring, and not by her hands. More than anyone else, I want to see her driven to ruin." She had a death grip on his shoulders. Her eyes were full of life.

Or that was what he thought those smothered cinders to be, anyway.

"Do you understand, Yi Rek?"

Perhaps the decades had not been kind to her either. “You got it, boss.”

What kind of human would he be to abandon all of this without trying his best?

“Next.” Sencio may have not had the gigantism that all the faculty seemed to have, but he still towered over them like a peerless sunflower. Most didn't talk to him. Whispers circulated, and it was certainly about him.

He checked every single box there was on his list without bothering to hear anything they said. Zip. Edward. Oliver. Ah, the legend himself. He felt weirdly cold? Like there was an invisible air conditioner following him around. Another feature was that he wasn't far behind in height.

Should he really be here?

Lizzy. Petunia. Ruby- 

The hell. A robot? What does she need to learn in this school? Oh well, not his problem.

Kevin. Robby. Riley. Cubbie. Yadda. Yadda. Bubble. Skelly.

Abbie and Lana.

Engel-

“Wait, aren't you the one that saved Claire?”

“Huh? How do you know that?"

“Thank you so much! I was worried that I would never see her again, and I…”

Ah. He patted his head. Either Claire spoke about him or Miss Grace did. “Don't worry mate. If Alice is acting up, or if anyone else wants to kill ya, just go to me.”

Engel chuckled. That wasn't an honest laugh. It was some hint of disbelief mixed into it. Someone that woke up from an eternity of nightmares.

"Y- yeah. I should get going now. Bye!”

What a good kid.

Then the legend herself was the last one to enter this show. None other than the leader of the newly-founded Moe Moe School Club. Claire. “Oh god, you work here?”

She thought the previous few days were a bad dream… 

Hoped, more like.

“Yo, that's rude. I just saved your life,” exclaimed Yi Rek.

“I know. I'm tired... so, Yi Rek? That's a rare name."

He nodded. “Yeah. It is.  What's troubling you eh? Outside of the obvious."

Killer cannibal teachers. Genocidal royal demoness. School bullies. Grades. Normal school life was already tiresome.

“How much do you know?"

Vague. “Well, Alice is a bitch. Thavel, Bloomie and Circle  succumbed to their instincts. Oliver is Alice's boyfriend's somehow. Oh yeah, I need to ask you something. How do I get back home?”

"Home?! I don't even know why you're here, or who you are," Claire breathed in a rushed manner.

“Shit. Anyhow, you should probably catch up with the others. You're gonna be late."

Claire gripped her right arm. “Just one more thing."

"Yeah?"

"Abbie and Lana..."

I saw their dead bodies. They were killed by the dangerous trio — Miss Circle, most likely. I know what I saw.

Yet those two are somehow alive, and nobody believes me.

Sencio was close to snapping the pencil in half. "What?"

To be continued.

Chapter Text

Into the Cards 

—

Chapter 3: Start of a New Day

He probably wouldn't believe this. Why would he?

She had no proof. In fact, she had the exact opposite of one. Abbie and Lana were alive, seemingly without worse for wear, mentally or physically. Everyone probably thought she was crazy if she pushed this. Well, basically everyone anyway. “Yeah… I know it’s probably pretty hard to-”

“I will bring this up to Miss Grace. You leave it to me. If it's any comfort, I believe you. Alice has been acting weird lately.”

“Huh? What do you mean by that?” investigated Claire. The only reason why she didn't shiver at the name was because she had nightmares all night. By that point, a mention did nothing to her.

She wasn't fully happy and joyously celebrating that one of the strongest people she knew backed her up. 

It could just be pity.

“For some reason, she was roaming the halls when we arrived. Tried to scare me, then backed off without really doing anything. Anyhow, you should go to class. You're gonna be late.”

Claire blinked, “Ahhhhh. Right. Mister Yi Rek. Hope you solve this!”

Truthfully, pivoting a hundred eighty degrees to go back to home, never seeing this school right now didn't sound so bad. But she owed it to Engel and the others, there was no way she was going to leave them behind. The bully trio wasn't really too much of a hassle.

It was those four in particular.

And there's nothing I can do...

She hated it.

“Okayokay…”

Due to the literal idea of spending the night here for a shift alone could be classified under tremendously stupid idea, he was to man the cameras in daylight. Occasionally patrolling the halls and making sure the school body was safe.

Why yes, that included the assets of Fundamental Paper School. Many thefts happened last year. Some still happened this year, even if heavily reduced, somehow. Alice potentially roaming the halls at night was not enough to deter them. Whoever they were.

In any case, he was surprised that this school didn't really put in the work of becoming a proper one. There wasn't any student council, for one. It might have been different a while ago.

He felt like Alice would take offense to that. "Tch, did Alice do this? How did she even have the password?”

Could Alice…

Wait no, Alice wasn't the sole reason why this school was shit. The killer teachers were a huge factor as well. One of them must have known and passed that off to Alice. For context, a singular room was entirely shrouded in darkness while three minutes of recordings of every camera on the premise was erased selectively. For some reason how did they even do this...

Now they were just teasing at this point. Last thing he ever saw was the class slowly leaving math class with a certain apple looking like he just tripped and pushed the second coming of Christ down the stairs.

The lack of a smoking gun was fine. Footage or no footage, Claire was correct. 

Deplorably, this may not be enough to convince the others. Even if it was, this wasn't going to stick to Miss Grace. Speaking about her, how much did she know about this? He checked the clock, which he didn't need to honestly.

He had time.

Yi Rek wanted to ask the other staff for their opinions as well as to prepare for the training by reading up on how to fight.

The question was, library or the canteen?

“Did you see the new security guy?”

“I’m not blind, Nia. It's like asking if I can see the sky is blue.”

Class was important, sure. It wasn't like they couldn't talk though. Miss Emily was teaching and at most she would just whip them verbally. “He’s weird.”

“Eh? He’s whatever. What made you think that?” tilted Lizzy. Outside of his tacky color of orange, looking like the damn sun compared to the colors here, she thought the outfit was alright. The big hat was funny.

“Previous security had a sniper rifle for hand. Wings. Seventeen feet tall. This Yi Rek has nothing.”

Lizzy hummed.

She didn't think of that. If anyone was to blame for that, it was this fuckass school. “You’re right. I don't think Miss Grace hired him without a reason though.”

They both knew though — a taser or even a nine millimeter could stop basically no one from the murderous trio, let alone Alice herself. That fight... 

Even the previous security guard had to run.

Then who was going to protect them from the cannibal teachers?! Hiding may have been a method but it wasn't fool proof. Some were slow runners they could never get out of the pursuer's sight with just speed alone.

Wanna guess all the students that statement applied to?

“Hmm. Don't think-”

“We need to talk to the nerds.”

“Eh?”

“Traps. We need to be safe! After Alice, we are the most precious princess to ever exist-"

"SHUT UP I'M TALKING OVER HERE," Miss Emily screamed, nearly throwing her chalk at them.

Miss Bloomie doesn't seem to mind my existence. Hooray. Like she fully erased what happened yesterday from her mind. Why couldn't they do that every time when she achieved a bad grade?

School was odd in this town. The subjects were rather few, but the offshoots born from them all made a hefty line up that filled the students' weekdays from the moment the sun arose to when the sun was glowing orange, or a mighty blue on some days. 

Maybe that was why sanity was easy to run out of on the teacher's part. They had to learn so many things and manage all of their subclasses flawlessly. Some days there were even as few as two teachers that taught them the entire day. “Hey, Claire.”

“Engellll. What's up? Be quick.”

Speaking any longer than needed would probably make Miss Bloomie miraculously remember what happened a day ago and continue their pursuit. Of a lesser consequence, she was moving as fast as ever teaching… geology?!!

“Who were they? In the prison.”

Oh. Right. 

“They're my childhood friends. Biscuit and Anova. Rarely get to meet with them nowadays. We used to go on adventures. Hopefully after midterms, I can introduce you to them,” whispered Claire.

Nownow, she knew that she should follow her own advice but she hoped that this would be enough to satiate his curiosity. Engel hummed, “I see. He feels weird. Like, somewhat familiar.”

What does that mean? I’m supposed to be the one with memory problems anyway.

She scribbled some of the material down, definitely not going to be used for future reference. Her writing was kinda terrible and the marvels of technology were too wonderful to pass up-

Ack? Something hit her in the back of the head.

It was a paper ball?

Oh. It was a paper ball. From that guy.

“Read it,” mouthed Oliver, who had been in the same seat as Edward. Though, he was more so trying to comprehend why Claire had one of her eyes gone.

Engel sent him a stare. Claire wasn't… too bothered. Until she opened up the rubbish and understood what the message was. Written on it was the word, cyclops. It singularly targeted Claire, because Engel's right eye just needed ice to heal it overnight.

She couldn't be jealous since it was punch from Miss Circle compared to a slash from Oliver’s girlfriend. Despite that, once they read the message, Engel was the one that looked like he was about to throw their table at the soap-eating shit-stirrer. “Woah dude-”

Claire moved back.

Scratch that. He was actually about to throw a table at him.

There was one thing that Claire didn't know regarding the fake exit note after all.

“Ahhhh…” yawned Yi Rek. He walked to the library. Map in hand. It was the closer of the two choices. There were no students in the halls. All of them were cooped up in their classes with the occasional gal or guy visiting the restroom.

There it was.

Knock knock knock.

“You can come in without knocking, Yi Rek. Faculty are allowed to do that. But I appreciate the gesture.”

“It’s fine. I don't want to be rude to you, Miss Crow, right?” mumbled Sencio. 

Miss Crow was tall — six feet and five inches. Long, black hair that had wings at the side of her head. A very tight skirt and upperwear that screamed military. To be more specific, it was one of those outfits that had the large buttons on two vertical rows.

She had a petite body frame, much like Miss Thavel. A little odder than her though, as Miss Crow had three hands. Two biological; one mechanical. “That is fine, but repeat it too many times and it becomes annoying. Anyhow, why have you come here? I assume you don't want to chat over snacks?”

“No. What do you think about Abbie and Lana? I checked the cameras after a student told me about them. The footage was erased,” bit out Sencio.

Miss Crow shifted her eyes. "I thought it was a load of bogus, but it seemed that it might have some foundation after all. Thing is, why would Alice even bother to revive them?"

Right... 

That was the problem. He still needed to ask them that. Sencio continued, "Ignoring that for a second, how about a martial arts book? Need to learn how to fight with these fists."

Yes, it might be weird to ask a government agent with so many resources on hand — maybe even being able to teach people how to do magic — to just hand him a manual to throw good punches.

“Martial arts? Are you gonna judo beatdown the three teachers and Alice? That sounds like a tall tale, considering your height difference,” snorted Miss Crow. It wasn't like they were just hulking masses of flesh anyhow. They were no slouch themselves in that department and they had weapons.

He didn't seem to have one.

“Sure. Miss Grace seems to think I should be a brawler under that one substitute teacher. Anything else I… apparently don't fit.”

They did discuss the details yesterday. Also, this may have gone unnoticed because they were rushing through it but he was supposed to train under Mr. Compass tonight.

Yes, a legitimate compass. Apparently he's a substitute, though no students actually know of his existence for sure. Crow adjusted her monocle, “Oh. I get it now. You have my condolences. Here are the books that you so desire.”

Thud!

A whole dictionary rocked the table’s surface. It could be a literal shield against bladed objects with how thick it was. “Jesus.”

Here I thought the days of studying were over. Also huh? Mr. Compass is pretty weird, sure, but he's not a Boogeyman. Is he?

Miss Crow’s reaction was like if a time traveller heard a tourist plan to travel to some place that would be ground zero for something world-reckoning. Ah well, it was whatever. He picked it up. Extremely light for his newfound strength-

Gah! Help! Help!!

“Oh. Hold on, I want to go to the toilet first. Tata.”

“See you later, Mr. Yi Rek.”

“Cyclops huh? How about I make you one you bastard!?”

“Ow. Fuck-

“Aye! Edward, help me!” 

Class descended into madness as quick as a coin flip when Oliver ate a table to the face, and then numerous hits from Engel. People fumbled their words trying to sound out their surprise, even Miss Bloomie.

Some people already had their phones out recording. Some people already decided that one of the faraway corners of the room, or even outside, had suddenly got real attractive to stand around.

It could be said to even be comparable to a specific Miss in headlights. “Holy. Engel, calm down. It's not that serious-”

Oh what the hell it was serious. Just not enough to beat the snot out of someone for.

She didn't mind seeing that prick eat his words. And then some. But Engel, he was going to get suspended, if not outright expelled from this.

Edward built up the courage and barked, “Hey, you get your handssss…”

Um. Yeah no.

Engel had two hands. Wasn't like he gave a fuck if Edward had actually been in on the fake exit sign or not (he wasn't). He hung around them. For all intents and purposes, Edward was as good as them.

“You do you. Sorry Oliver. I’ll buy you lunch later,” muttered Edward.

“Edwardddd!” 

It wasn't like he was defenseless. He could block. The pencil he had was sturdy. Nonetheless, he already had a black eye and a couple of bruises. Which was going to get worse if nothing was done at all.

“I suppose I should call the security guard. But ah, I am afraid I’ve forgotten where the emergency button is located at,” chuckled Miss Bloomie. Call it sweet, sweet justice for yesterday. She feared for her life when Alice carried herself out of her cave to hunt Claire.

“Little-”

Bang!

“Is there a problem ‘ere?”

That was the sound of a blur launching itself into a wall. Instead of planting their face into solid brick like a particular deer, the security guard was practically a damn ninja. Stood sideways, disobeying gravity.

Before he fell.

After that, everyone screamed something. It wasn't to the level of mass hysteria, thankfully.

They had to, otherwise their mental regulatory systems would have blammed kapoot.

Studies continued as normal five minutes after Oliver was escorted out of the class and Engel sent to the principal office. “Oliver. You okay? What made that kid go apeshit on you? I know he's a good one so, didja piss him off?”

“...”

Oliver didn't need to tell him. Last night had been crispy clear that this was an enemy of his girlfriend. Not a regular opponent either. This guy was a Visitor. On top of that, he had the potential to become a Major Arcana. Which was inevitable.

“Silent treatment huh? I suppose the little prince’s mouth is reserved for his princess huh?” grunted Yi Rek. He grabbed the man’s collar and bashed the bully's back onto the locker.

Oliver gasped. Bastard.

Stuff had not de-escalated at all.

“Now, tell me everything I want to know.”

His relationship with her, why his skin was cold and what did he do to make Engel mad. Oliver nearly spat in his face, but he knew that having this man’s face wet would be the equivalent to Abbie doing that to Alice.

They weren't going to live long afterwards. “Hehe. If I was to tell you… we’ll both die.”

Sencio loosened his grip. 

“I got the first two. What about the third? Doesn't have anything to do with Alice, does it?”

“Let's get to the nurse's office first. Then I'll trll. It hurts, you know,” finished Oliver. Hopefully any weird stuff that Yi Rek would do would be stopped by that and seemingly, it did, as he receded away from the bully.

He was about to walk, before being lifted off the ground and carried bridal-style!? “Du- dude what are you doing??”

Wow, now stuff had de-escalated for realsies.

“Shh. Can't I apologize for pushing a victim around? Let me take you there. Spoiled shit prince,” grinned Sencio. It was faster this way. A handful of seconds were all he needed to scour this place for the nurse.

“I’m not a baby-”

He shook himself off of Sencio’s grip and dusted himself. Well, to be honest, the bully was more surprised than feeling disrespected. Maybe his rizz was just that effective on other Visitors. (Shockingly, that was NOT entirely unfounded). 

The prince pushed the door open, claiming, “Miss Patchy! It's good to see you. Pretty please, could you heal me~”

Miss Patchy was your average nurse, in terms of looks and outfit. However, the major difference between her and the rest was that she was like Bubble, a nonstandard head of two bandages in the shape of an X. She too, was a cyclops.

“Oh, it's you, Oliver. And the security guard. Here, put some ice on it. What mess did you get into this time?” Miss Patchy whistled. Bruises like these were signs of a fight — a decisive stomp, since it was only one guy that came here. She assumed whoever fought Oliver must have won. 

Either that or they were dead. Which was highly unlikely. The bully slept on one of the beds like he owned the place.

“Some rabid guy attacked just because he was mad.”

Miss Patchy shifted her eyes to Yi Rek. “I don't know either. He's not telling me until he's healed. He did get attacked by Engel."

She tsked before resorting to drastic measures. Out from the drawer was a syringe filled with mysterious liquid, green and purple intermixed? 

“Well, Mr. Oliver, I hope you don't mind this. Everything will be way better afterwards," coughed Miss Patchy. This was something she cooked up herself. Extreme numbness was soon to follow as well as another thing that should be kept from

“H- hey get that thing away from here. Just give me a pill!"

"Yeesh. Embarrassing..."

“So, Engel, could you explain yourself?”

The principal's office was stuffy. Immensely cold and a little bit cluttered. Gray walls; red carpet, like a rich people's version of a slaughterhouse. He opened two sets of doors before being in the eyes of an ancient being that had probably seen countless lives go through the school’s doors and come out in paper bags, if they were lucky. Not too lucky, sadly.

Engel said to her, “Do I need to? Oliver called Claire a cyclops. And he's the one who put that fake exit sign there, with Zip. I’m sorry Miss Grace. Those two spending three weeks in detention won't cut it.”

It wasn't justice at all. For once in a while, Miss Grace found the eyes of someone that didn't shy away from her own. Someone so weak and small…

“What do you suppose we do to them then? They are protected by Alice. You doing your whole outburst might have threatened the whole school. It is extremely lucky that she is so merciful with us,” clapped back Miss Grace. The rules in place were to not enter her domain and not injure Oliver fatally.

Engel cringed, in the sense that his face was about to literally bark. “I know Oliver is out of reach but what about Zip?! Why don't you suspend her?”

She shook her head. “Oliver would protest it. The bullies stick together, unless they crumble together like a house of cards. But I understand. Problem is, we cannot retroactively change our decisions so that they get a harsher punishment. However, Oliver did call Claire a cyclops, didn't he? I suppose Mr. Kanton will find it nice to have a partner for a month.”

Engel slumped in his seat. Better than nothing, I guess. His journey won't stop here. Unless Alice was gone for good, then he could never live with his failures. Miss Grace could read his mind through his empty gaze.

“If the immediate future worries you this much, then rest assured. Massive changes will be happening. I’m sure you’ve already seen one,” clicked Miss Grace.

“Oh, you mean Yi Rek?”

Engel widened his eyes. That was true.

Things may not be so bleak, after all.

“Mhm. He’ll be training with Mr. Compass. I can tell you have some potential in you. So how about you invite some of your friends to train under him? Don't worry, we’ll give you some equipment to equalize the playing field.”

...I like this Miss Grace.

Who knows? He may be able to stop one of the teachers on his lonesome after this odd extracurricular. That was a thousand times more preferable than getting rolled over by Miss Circle with a simple one two, or basically sucking their thumbs hoping to graduate under their supervision, let alone Alice. “I’ll try to find people. You won't be disappointed!”

She nodded, “Unfortunately, I still have to treat you fairly for your assault. Two weeks in detention, starting now. Dismissed.”

He got up and left the room. 

The principal had a little p.s while he was on the way out. 

“See... 'see' you at six.”

To be continued.

Chapter Text

Into the Cards

—

Season 1:

Chapter 4: This Is Worth A Lifetime

“Hey. Hey Oliver! Hey!”

Yi Rek slapped his face. More so tapped, but with every unresponsive blank look he received, he began to hand out progressively harder smacks. This was bullying the bully at this point. I’m sorry… but you do deserve it. I think.

“Nineteen minutes and he should be up to answer your questions. In the meantime, I suppose a more thorough introduction is in order. It's Miss Patchy.” She offered a handshake. To Yi Rek, who still had a hand cupping Oliver's face like he was a doll.

“Okay, it's Yi Rek Sencio. Miss Patchy. I hope you never pump me full of drugs just like you did to him."

He looked back at the thrice-made victim. That face…

It was the type of face that a person who drank too much stupid juice would make. They weren't drooling, which was odd. Neither hysteria or numbness could. If anything, it was simply forced a zen state. “Hahaha. Don't worry, if I have to use something like this on you, then this whole school might as well go to Hell.”

“Why… would you think that?”

Sencio had a suspicion that she knew about his Visitor status. Or maybe Miss Grace’s qualification for someone to become security was being the strongest she could get her hands on and she had known that?

“Your arms. Now you're not the most built person there is, but my eye cannot lie to me. Here,” squeezed Patchy. Hard — Yi Rek hummed, feeling her hands like they were trying to massage him instead of tearing him limb to limb.

“The heck. You..."

She is an insane nurse. I gotta give her that.

What the hell was it with these “science” types being freaks?! Dr. Alexa. Now her? If he was ten percent more attuned to them, he would probably clap for them.

Miss Patchy crowed, “The smartest there is. Prettiest there is also. Now, I’ll wait around and sit here. If you have anything to ask me in the time this specimen is back to being fully awake, feel free, Yi Rek.”

He didn't miss a damn beat.

“Abbie and Lana. Have you heard about them?”

“Oh. My, I do. I believe one hundred percent that they died. Problem is, the origins of how they are alive. As much as I want to, I don't think people would like it very much if I dissected them. Is there anything you want to tell me that is new?” prodded Miss Patchy.

Uh. Yeah. Maybe don't do that.

“Footage got erased. If that's what you're wondering.”

“Aww…”

It looked like the teaching body was not a hive mind. You know, that should have been really obvious before this. Just… it was just good to know. “Sigh, I can just ask this dickhead another time. I have to go back to the library. Maybe get me some food. Tata.”

“See you soon. One more thing.”

Ah. This again?

“What?”

“Engel beat him up right? No wonder. You see, he was the reason why Claire almost died. Along with Zip, he put a fake exit note on Alice’s door. It's why she got hunted in the first place.”

He stopped. Midwalk. The most silent step he has ever taken, yet it was somehow also the loudest. Like a gunshot. “Run that by me again?”

Knockknock.

“Come in.”

“Sorry for disturbing the class, Miss Bloomie.”

“Oh my, you have returned most quickly. Have a seat, Engel."

The consensus was that it was a miracle that Engel had somehow not been suspended right in that very moment. People would have done a standing ovation, if they were in an opera setting. They weren't, thus the only one who could voice out their awe was Claire. “Dude, that was… badass. Thanks for doing that. How did you make Miss Grace spare you?”

He gave a thumbs up. “I’ll tell you all about it during lunch break. Think I’m already stretching Miss Bloomie’s mercy.”

Yeah. That's fair.

Staring at her, she found that she was also observing them with her sharp eye. Claire coughed and they locked in for the rest of the period before lunch arrived at ten in the morning. By then, relief of an hour of break soothed their spirits. 

Weirdly, Oliver never returned to class. Oh well, they had better stuff to do than uselessly speculate about their tormentors. Like choosing which poison they wanted to take, which could be solved by going somewhere else but…

The other stores near them didn't have any fulfilling food, and if they did have the good stuff, they were too expensive for a daily occurrence. Well, if they had to pick a day to celebrate over, one like this wasn't a bad choice. But they needed to find the other members of the Moe Moe School Club first. 

Most likely location of them all was the canteen. The two were right. “Hey, Bubble!”

Engel waved to her, and she sauntered up to them. The stars in her eyes were much more visible when she saw them. Right now, the canteen was a little empty. The ones who were there didn't care, or didn't know that a school fight broke down. 

Also, the security guard had apparently ninja-like abilities-

“Claire! Engel. I’ve been searching for you two. I’ve heard a lot of things. Let's go to Ham Queen after we find Abbie and Lana, alright?” said Bubble. She wanted to ask something of them, but too early and she was gonna be feeling like a mosquito.

Let's just say, she has been in a class with two divas that semi-regularly checked their phones, even in class.

Claire gulped. “Umm… I don't know about Abbie and Lana. Honest.”

Bubble tilted her head.

“Why? Don't tell me you don't want to associate with them anymore just because they got an F. That's not right,” Bubble chastised. Out of all the Moe Moe School Club, the one who had the best average was none other than Bubble. The second being Engel.

The order should be obvious after him.

“No, it's not that. I saw…

The teachers might be trouble. If they don't believe it, but if friends think she was lying. It was gonna hurt.

“I swear on my life. I saw them-”

The leader of the Moe Moe Society didn't know whether to feel lucky or not, when the tides of students entered the room, that wasn't so reserved when they saw the winner of today's fight. “There he is! It's Engel!”

What- what? Why are there so many kids?

Like, kid kid. Robby, Chip. The ones that thought that the peak of maturity was in the form of beating people that they disliked and not drinking from a milk bottle. Older students like Kevin and Cubbie were around, though they did not seem to be as frantic as the little ones.

It seemed like they wanted to talk to him about something else other than the throwing of a table.

“Holy shit. I can't believe you did that! Can you teach me how to beat up my bullies?”

“You're so peak Engel!! I love you!”

“How dare you do that to my KING?! YOU'RE GOING TO DIE BY MY HANDS!”

“Engel. You’re a… celebrity. Congrats,” cooed Bubble.

Claire hushed, “H- hey everyone. Engel’s a human. Give them personal space!”

Everyone drowned out eachother. At this point, everyone was going to waste their breath and an hour of time just trying to calm down this mass mania.

Until someone ordered them, “Y’ALL SHUT UP! DAMN.”

It was a voice that most never ever heard, or at least truly saved such a person in their memory. A turn around and the students that would have thrown some shade back at the person stopped. It was the security guard, carrying a giant book.

Now widely known as the ninja, because his moment of extreme speed was caught in the last parts of the viral videos. It didn't matter if he was six or seventeen feet tall. He was taller than anyone else in the room, with the exception of Derla, who had ear muffs on. Though she did know what was up by the fact that she was eyeing them. “Okay, thank you for the attention you all, but this guy needs to speak to… those three about some peculiarities.”

They agreed to it. Before that though, Engel had his hand slapped by Kevin. He looked towards him, only to find Kevin and Cubbie retreating.

What was all that about?

See, the original destination was Ham Queen. Cheap, dirty but delicious. The luxury items were the exact opposite, which was why Bubble was fine eating there.

However, with the revelation that this ninja also acted as a good means of transportation, even if a little rough and windy. They…

Well, more like Bubble, had a change of heart.

Bubble’s absolute skill at negotiation convinced him to switch places.

Negotiations such as: “YOU’RE SO MEAN. WHY DON'T YOU TREAT YOUR STUDENTS NICER?”

Another example: “Pleasepleaseplease! It's been my dream- our dream, yes, to try the limited item on the menu. It's going to be gone by the next hour!"

She even had the perfect puppy eyes. Very skilled. Almost like Bubble was born to be a dealer.

Thus, here they were, he carried them over to the nicer part of town — the one and only high-end franchise cafe — Dollarsun. Bubble exclaimed, “You- you're poor?”

Not poor. Homeless. Literally no money on hand. Miss Grace forgot about it. His paycheck was to be delivered to his bank account tonight. Waiting for that wasn't optimal at all, so he had to phone a call to the person he was “freeloading” on.

“Wow Bubble, you're cruel.”

“I thought you’d be better than this, mhmhm,” Claire hummed.

"S- shut up."

Nownow, she wasn't jerkish enough to have her friends and even strangers drain their wallets buying treats to chat over. Considering that this whole town was “dying”, there had been a lot of promos to attract customers. There were cheaper items which were not so bad in terms of uniqueness — translated into novelty in this aspect of life.

Bubble bought a taro affogato with a main dish of spaghetti. Claire had matcha plus simple fried rice. Engel’s meal was a straight black coffee and hamburger. Big one at that.

Sencio said, “Yo Miss Grace.”

“Mhm?”

“Can you give me 19.99 dollars?” fidgeted Yi Rek.

“Why?”

“For the beef teriyaki combo? They're giving out Spanish cold lattes and fries…” 

Hot damn he could feel her eyes on him. He betted on her attaining his exact physical position right as he said that and was now spying on him like a spy satellite. 

“Kids dragged me into here and I can't escape. Uh, send help.”

Miss Grace huffed, “Fine. Give me ten minutes.”

“Thanks Miss Grace. You’re a life saver…”

He hung up, returning to the important matter at hand.

“Alright, guy and gals, you… uh, I shouldn't say this out loud but I need to ask you a couple of questions and tell you some things.” Sencio sat in front of all three. Only Bubble was truly out of her element. No question about it. 

The others knew what he was going to say. “Abbie and Lana have died, and have been revived by Alice. We do not know why. The teachers are believing you Claire-”

“HAH?! W- what do you mean… Abbie and Lana have been resurrected??!”

Bubble stood up, in protest of such a statement. Looking around, it seemed that she was the last to know about that. She quickly cooped up in her own chair as she probably shouldn't act like that in public with sensitive information of this magnitude.

No one outside of them seemed to care, though.

Claire supported, “What Yi Rek said is true, there's no way they're our friends anymore. Even if they act friendly, I… don't feel safe around them.”

Engel’s hand neared to pat her back, then he stopped. It was an instinctual reaction? Ugh. Why does this feel so wrong?

“W- when was this?”

Bubble’s stars broke as the tale was recounted. Wasn't it horrible enough to see her friend chased by three deadly teachers?! Why can this happen?! What did they even do wrong? Failing?

If only Mister…

“Alright. I’ll stop for a moment. Students like you should have been cared for. With that demon around though, I guess it was always doomed to go down like… this."

Engel piped up, “This will sound weird, but do you have anything else other than this? Don't get me wrong. It's just… If Alice can't be gone then there's point at all. To all this.”

Yeahyeah. He was privy to the knowledge of their training. Learning martial arts was nice, if their opponents were specifically teachers. Alice wasn't a teacher. She was something from Hell itself. If she wasn't, then the distinction didn't matter.

She loved suffering and was able to enact that. Alice qualified with just those two traits alone.

What good would a punch that could pierce through walls do to someone that could crumble an entire building by just stomping and summoning an explosion of jagged rocks with little cooldown? He did rescue Claire from Alice, yes, just how? 

Engel hoped the answer was something tangible and not just blind luck — a fluke.

“I mean, there's always running away,” Bubble offered.

Everyone in the group blinked.

“Hey now. Don't look at me like that. Legitimately, what's stopping us from just evacuating from this place. I know it's weird, saying something like this after so many years but it… it cannot be denied anymore. Staying in that place means death.” Bubble hugged her knees.

No Abbie. No Lana. Clare... was saved.

That was just today, though. 

What about tomorrow?

School wasn't fair. Even taking into account only the students, Oliver stuck like a sore thumb. The other two were bad as well.

Her best friend intervened, “Then where would we go?”

Claire decided that Bubble’s preferred option wasn't so bad. “I don't know about you three but I at least have Biscuit and Anova. Don't think they would mind our company for a couple of years.”

Bubble gasped. Like the rope that she grabbed on in hopes to be rescued started moving up.

“I can handle the money. My parents left me a lot of that.”

Despite this world being Spartan, it still had some mercy left. Yi Rek tapped on his knee. He supposed this was good. The three had him to be the next focus — it was rude to not include him so…

They didn't mind inviting him.

In his heart, he… didn't know what to say. There was an incredibly small part that screamed and screamed. Do it. Run away. You don't owe anything to them.

He might die.

He wasn't invulnerable.

“I…

No. Someone who takes offers like that, in situations like these, they were not weak. They were human.

“I have a confession to make: I’m not normal. Comparing myself to the closest thing you all know would be that I am a good Alice.

He didn't pause for their reactions once he revealed that he was an angel without wings nor an intact halo as he discarded his hat.

“Running away means abandoning others to the same fate those two got. And I owe Miss Grace a favor. If I run away, the government would probably track me down. So you three. You can go on. For me, preventing Alice from reaching her goal sounds good. I don't think she would leave me alone anyway. Even you three might be visited by her in the far future."

Logic. 

Rationality.

Plans.

Consequences.

Forethought.

All of those be damned.

What he truly felt about him running away…

Would be him being worse than SCUM.

There appeared to be a nuke that dropped behind the three students. Which was weird, because there would be none that existed. Physically.

…

Engel droned, "So this is why Miss Grace believed in you."

It made sense now. As someone said, this bullet was silver. Why couldn't he arrive-

Nonono. Be grateful. You're the last person to judge people in cases like this.

"W- wow. We have an angel in our school!"

Everything might not be as doomed as they thought. Bubble wanted to reach out and touch, to make sure this wasn't a dream.

"Ah- ah. I already know this, actually. Duh. He saved me," stammered Claire.

Bubble gasped, "Saved you- wait, that's how you escaped Alice?!"

The prospect of running away was still present, but they actually had a choice now — that didn't end in death.

A doorbell rang.

“Helloooo? Is Yi Rek here? Miss Grace sent me to pay the bill.”

Sencio had his own bomb explode behind his eyes once the voice of Junior Alexa reached his ears. Out of the four, it was Claire that had the explosion color her voice as she roared, “IS THAT ME?”

Introductions were brief.

“So, are you for realsies?” puzzled Bubble.

Engel poked, “Yeah. Are you sure you’re not Claire’s mom? Or auntie?”

“Am sure as the sun. I only birthed once. I think I would remember if I had another kid,” giggled Junior Alexa. 

Gosh. They're so adorable. Junior Alexa booped… well, it wasn't like Bubble had a nose.

Yi Rek scratched the back of his head. Now it was certain that he could pay for his meal, he ordered. Save himself some embarrassment. “I wanna ask, before the chance is up. Engel. Why did you beat up Oliver? Outside of, you know.”

“He called Claire a cyclops. There's no way I’ll let that off the hook, after he had that fake exit sign to trick Claire into entering Alice’s room.”

Yi Rek rested his shoulders. So that was why? No good piece of shit. Think I’ll make his other eye black.

Bubble was in the know. Claire freaked out. “THAT WAS HIS FAULT?!!”

“Hmmm. Now, this is all fine and dandy. I have other things to do. Engel. Give me your hand,” commanded Junior Alexa.

Engel raised his eyes, though followed her command. She picked out a… bug?

“Sound bug. How very interesting.”

Wait, someone was listening in on their conversations?!! Who could it be?? Yi Rek tsked. Engel frowned. Bubble gasped. Claire voiced an incomprehensible noise from her vocal cords.

She was… enraged?

“I’ll take it back to the lab to find out the fingerprints. Should be by this night. Or tomorrow. Time was short here but you four are pleasing. Live well!”

They waved their goodbyes.

Night. Sencio looked over to that book. “Oh right. I have to visit Mr. Compass at six…”

Engel recalled, “RIGHT! Yeah, Yi Rek? Miss Grace wants me to train under him as well. She wants to invite as many people as possible, so Bubble and Claire. If you don't mind, could you come at six to school?”

Bubble and Claire didn't even react anymore. 

Their food and drinks?

Half eaten and half empty.

“Sure.”

“I'm willing to give it a try.”

Oddly, schooltime was over in the snap of a finger. The bully trio avoided them for once in their life, the teachers acted like they had amnesia, Abbie and Lana…

They seemed to know that they shouldn't be alive. Yi Rek wanted to speak to them. Perhaps another day. Sencio commented, “This is way more than I expected on the first night.”

The schedule for the training was — it happened every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. If one could bribe Mister Compass, then the weekends were included too. It depended on the request and the size of the bribe, of course.

Engel and Yi Rek were tied as first. Second was Claire. Third was Bubble. Skelly was fourth and the three fox brothers were also tied as last.

“Yeesh, seeing this place at night, it's really creepy," Claire remarked.

Bubble giggled, “Tell me about it.”

“Mr. Compass. Can I ask you a question?”

“The session is about to start. Make it quick.”

Engel said, “You're basically Miss Circle’s partner right? Isn't this making her job harder? What if we happen to beat her, even without Yi Rek’s help?”

What did Miss Grace do to somehow bargain out something like this?

Mister Compass snorted.

“She promised me a lifetime supply of Kittu Catto if I agreed to this, and bonus pay.”

“I- it's that easy?” Engel was close to slipping on the dry floor.

To be continued.

Chapter Text

Into the Cards 

—

Chapter 5: Your Big Bro- WHAAAT?!!

Not-So Distant Past.

“Miss Grace.”

He entered after he knocked on the door. “Welcome, Sencio. I hope you haven't come here in hopes of going home quickly.”

It was friday.

Due to the roaring weekends, there were even fewer people here — not above six.

Halfway into five PM usually was the time when the students in detention were expected to go home and what stopped teachers from leaving were conversations with eachother. They all seemed to leave in a hurry.

Nobody could blame them.

“It's my first day on the job. Not that lazy. Besides, Mr. Compass will probably chew me out for ghosting him."

Miss Grace sipped from her cup. Tea, this time. “You're here to hand me your report?”

“Duh. Also...”

Why are there two cups? Did Miss Grace like tea more than coffee?

“What?”

“Nothing. I’m getting hungry. Derla left something for me and I can't wait to eat it.”

She closed her eyes. “Pity you.”

Eh? Can't be that bad. It looked and smelled good.

The report was a collection of events that happened in the day. Bullying prevention. Asset protection. Anomaly detection. Assistance towards students, etc.

No, he was not stupid enough to treat it as a diary. Besides, half of it was a checklist about the inventory of each class. Tables, chairs and miscellaneous equipment. “Oh yeah, Ma’am Grace, I just remembered something.”

“Ma’am? Guess you learned a new word after visiting Dollarsun, hm?” chastised Grace.

He clutched his pearls. 

“Ouch."

That was deadass shade thrown to him by Miss Grace, of all people. "About the bug…”

Miss Grace shushed him, “Ah. That? It doesn't really matter. We have deduced ownership of the secret mic belonging to a student. Might as well mean a bunch of thieves stealing an empty, rusty vault.”

“For real? How? Upload it on the internet and I’m pretty sure one freak would be interested in checking…”

Ah.

He was pretty sure the existence of Alice would have been enough to blow a cork on everyone's mind, if he was back home. So if she wasn't garnering attention, why would he?

Miss Grace stopped herself from chuckling. This person was not from this world. It was not fair to do that.

“Belief is not the right word. It is fact. People know they walk with the supernatural and falling under someone's bad grace could be as little as trespassing. This town is one of the prime examples you would find in the dictionary for the wrong place, at the wrong time,” recalled Miss Grace.

To cut things short, going here would be trying the oceans, with a dinghy. Paired with the myths of sea monsters being real.

One of the reasons why this town was so abandoned was…

Well, to go on about it like a rumor would be a little hypocritical. There was footage of a massive yellow-haired ten foot monster destroying a quarter of this town and committing mass, brutal killing.

That thing was still roaming around in the woods — not too far from New Aklavia.

Didn't sound like a good time, yes?

Alice, the other Major Arcanas and the Canadian government were also “present” here. Getting to the town was seeking death. Leaving the town was basically trying to escape Hell — the forest had eyes. Navigating it required expert knowledge.

Miss Grace finished, “If you're worried about a couple of stalkers, take it as a challenge. At worst, you can come to us. We shall handle it.”

Yi Rek had half of a smirk. It wasn't sincere.

Trapped here like fishes in a barrel, huh? 

No alternative way to describe all this. 

A handful remembered how it was out there — in the sea and not stuck here with piranhas. It was not hard to fall into desperation here. Though with his interactions at the cafe…

He was glad something instinctual still calls out to some of the students here, to free themselves from suffering.

Actually…

That might be underestimating them. Claire, Engel and Bubble found a call much better than escape. A will to free others from this place. 

Kids like them were rare. He didn't think the younger him would even consider his friends if he lived here to begin with and offered a way out.

"Got it, Miss Grace. I will do as asked."

“That is to guarantee Alice’s death. Everything else must be discarded. Now, is there anything else you want to tell me, or will you go on to wait for Mr. Compass and the others?” Miss Grace waved, as if there was a prize Sencio could potentially win behind her.

Well, that isn't the only mission I have right now. 

Sencio confirmed, "Yes. About Abbie and Lana. Checking the camera had me found out that some of the footage got deleted. The culprit doesn't matter. But what do you think Alice has in store for us?"

Miss Grace brought her head down. “Them… I think the best move is what we have been doing. To ignore their existence. We do not know the mechanics behind Alice’s revival. Even asking Junior Alexa to test them or taking them away might be troublesome. A hands-on inquiry wouldn't be advised, neither for or against.”

“Will do. Sorry for taking too much of your time.”

Yi Rek had excused himself with a bow.

Moments after she made sure that the click passed. She whistled.

Outside of Mr. Compass, Engel, Mr. Kanton, Miss Grace, Yi Rek and Alice, there was one more person that remained hidden in a closet behind Miss Grace. 

“Huff. That was pretty stuffy. Ma’am Grace.” Miss Emily dusted herself. 

Heh. Props to him for giving me such a nickname. Why have I never thought of that?

“I prefer the other pet name, Dame Emily.”

“Oh sure, meine frau~

“Shall we continue making out?”

Miss Grace smiled. On this day, they never did, yet. “After we finish grading last week’s test papers. We cannot forget our responsibilities in the heat of the moment. And there's Mr. Compass’ suggestion…”

“Ohoho. How could I ever forget? Don't worry though. I have triple-checked. Mr. Demi, Miss Sasha, Mr. Compass, Mr. Mura and even her would be testing the students.”

“Interesting. Thanks for the confirmation, Dame Emily.”

To be honest, there was no need to hide it. Last thing someone was concerned about in this school was that their principal was a lesbian and engaged in workplace romance.

But it was more exciting this way.

Present Time.

“Yi Rek. Are you listening to me?”

Snap. Snap. Snap.

Mr. Compass wanted to slap him, but he knew that if Yi Rek wanted to — he could obliterate the four murderous teachers in the blink of an eye. Now, it would be a different story if they had Alice’s assistance. Which might as well be extinct, because the only one who could convince her was Oliver.

“I really am training with child soldiers.”

Even worse, it's actually preferable this way. Better for them to know how to defend themselves, he supposed. It was truly eye opening when the Moe Moe School Club strolled up here — dressed like they were going to gym class instead of a small war.

Not like I have ever been in the military.

“Is that all?”

There is Derla’s food… 

It was incredibly disappointing. Though this was not the right place, not the right time nor at the right person.

“Then I shall start. My name is Compass. I am Miss Circle's friend. You don't know man, but I know you. In fact, you have seen me before as Miss Circle's prosthetic. I can shape shift into an object, indeed," divulged Mr. Compass.

“So the rumor was true!!?" Claire said.

Skell and the others had similar reaction, even if they did not voice out. Engel and Yi Rek already know though. The feather boy never really saw it as important to let them know about Mr. Compass' real self. It was actually demoralizing.

Because the murderous teacher trio was now a damn squad.

Her bubbly best friend looked at her. “You're this shocked?"

Claire chuckled.

Fair.

Shape shifters were not so shocking when an angel was beside them and the school in front of them housed a demon. Now if every teacher or staff had their own Mr. Compass, that would be something.

Wait a minute. Doesn't that mean… He bathed in the blood of many. Nonchalant might be their attitude. Nothing could change a predator from being a predator. 

This man was a monster. 

“I will not be answering any questions."

He dragged on. “This routine is about you all, not me! Remember. I want to get rid of a misconception. Miss Grace sent you to me to make you reach your full potential as fast as possible. This is not a dojo! Or a simple extracurricular class. You're going to die if you don't keep up."

Mister Compass clapped his hands.

Close to everyone gulped. Yi Rek just tittered nervously. 

Some even thought, It's not too late to back out, right?

Buzzing could be heard above them. The drone carried a mighty package that dropped right next to Mr. Compass. It stopped as the bulky frame of the machine rested on the floor. Thing was incredibly loud. “Unfair as it may be. If you are not up to standard, do not even dream of touching these bad boys.”

He uncovered the items inside. Deadly, and probably should have never been in close proximity towards a school. Except for the drone joystick.

“Ooohhh.”

It was the cute fox brother. Shiny!

"Where did you get all this," rummaged the brunette.

Engel hummed while inspecting a trident. It was well-made. Claire was right. What connections did they have? Bubble commented, "This is better craftsmanship than Kevin and his buddies. How?"

They really don't know about the fact most of the staff are from the state, huh. In any case...

"It's probably Alexa Junior. Her owner is an expert... everything," told Yi Rek.

The Moe Moe School Club stared at him like he had a second head. "Who did we exactly meet at that Dollarsun Cafe, Yi Rek?"

"Someone freaky, for sure."

Mr. Compass thumbed up. That was that.

To call it futuristic was wrong — sure it was way sharper than a normal blade and way more durable than regular steel but the design didn't scream a hundred years down the line. It was just modern stuff made with incredibly high-quality.

Variety was definitely impressive though. Knives. Crossbows. Swords. Brass knuckles. Scythes?

Basically, all the melee weapons one could imagine. Strangely, no guns at all.

Skelly squinted, “Tch. Where's the cool stuff?”

Engel had to agree. Firepower on that level and range would help the students a bunch. Maybe even overwhelm them entirely. Alice was a problem but yadda yadda, Yi Rek was the Kryptonite to that demon.

“Are you scared you would die from bullets?”

“No. You have no idea how useless bullets are to us.” Mister Compass shook his head.

Bubble raised her hand. “Then why did you give us crossbows? Aren't they basically worse guns?"

“Hahhhhhh!! I’ll explain it later,” he harrumphed. “You're not supposed to see these things this early anyway. This sight was just to motivate you all.”

Closing it and throwing it away made all the students straighten their backs. 

“Since you have annoyed me a little, your physical test will be painful. Run around this WHOLE town in under one hour. One of you fails and you all need to redo this. No cheating!”

Blink. Blink.

“The timer starts-”

Everyone scrambled. Yi Rek didn't know what the big deal was. An hour was pretty merciful for a town.

“The fuck. It’s a fifty kilometer journey?”

He swore it was much smaller than this. Wasn't the Moe Moe School Club planning to go to the nicer side of this “hamlet”? He figured that was the edge of this place while Miss Grace’s abode was just a step behind.

Claire clarified, “Haha. Yeah. New Aklavia has large spaces where there's no people at all. That's the Old Aklavia. If I had to guess why it hasn't been blown up, it's probably because nobody wants to clean this town up. I wouldn't either.”

“Same. They're too… huff. Dirty for me,” sweated Bubble. Out of everyone here, she was doing the worst. Which meant everyone was doing as good as she was.

Yi Rek was Yi Rek.

Engel was a farmboy.

Claire was an adventurer at heart.

Skelly was quite literally built differently.

The three fox brothers seemed to be in a forever state of sugar mania. Modeled after Pikachu for a reason.

Bubble was hopeless. She would probably fade sooner like actual bubbles than pass this test. Not to say she wasn't impressive. Everyone here was. More than anything, stamina was the singular issue holding them back. Their speeds were something even Usain Bolt would be jealous of.

Five minutes of motivating Bubble to hang on made him bored. Her two best friends could supervise her. Sencio sped up, “effortlessly” catching up to number four in this race. “Hello, Skelly, was it?”

“It's Skell. What's up?” he mumbled. “By the way, thanks for carrying everything.”

"Oh, sorry."

He shrugged, "It's fine. I don't mind being called Skelly."

It was important stuff. Snacks, drinks and others.

They were now entering the parts where people rarely visited. Being bathed by shadows, even the most steadfast, cleanest house in the block looked ominous.

But he preferred some spookiness in his life.

“Oh yeah, don't blame me if something breaks.”

“No excuses... I can't really do anything to you anyway. Not like I ever would want to."

He questioned, “Even if I break your phone?”

“...”

Skelly blinked. Dude. Don't you dare do that.

Yi Rek chortled.

“No worries. Anyway, why did you accept Engel’s request? You know if things hit the fan, you're gonna be in the frontlines against Alice, yes? What should we do to Bubble to make her faster?”

Skelly shrugged. “Getting stronger is never a bad thing. About her... I think we should feed her spices, I guess. Can't carry her. Cheating is a no-no.”

Wow. The first answer was solid. The second one...

Not so much.

“Also, I wanted to nab cool gadgets. Shame it just ended up being high-quality mundane military thingies.”

He cooed. "Didn’t know you liked that kinda stuff. You wanna light saber?”

“Sum’ like that, yeah," affirmed Skell.

Yi Rek thought about it. Couldn't he create something like that with his fire powers? He felt like he could do it even if he didn't test it previously. 

“Hope some more. I may have something.”

Skell’s eyes widened. “Dude, really?”

“Really. No promises though!” He sped up.

“Tsk. Don't do that. Don't give me hope.”

On the later parts of the course, there were numerous individuals. These people were far from evil nor were they homeless. If one based their opinions on their appearance, then they would be deceived. Their clothes were “raggedy” and their faces covered by a mask. 

Mr. Compass’ voice buzzed through the phone. “Hey, be ready. They should be near you now.”

“Phew. Ready?”

Break time be damned. This was way too fun to ignore.

“Ahemahem. Yes, vice principal!” Mister Demi saluted.

Mr. Mura chewed, “Just let me at ‘em. Then we can be done with this.”

Miss Sasha scoffed, “Shut up old man. This wasn't mandatory. Your choice, your consequences. Have some fun in your life.”

“Ayeaye. It's not like we're forcing you to stay here. Hell, I'm supposed to be on break,” supported the vice-principal. The old man must have been going senile. A sad fate, for someone under the age of thirty.

“Heyyyy now. I was not serious. You know how it is with me, right?”

Mr. Mura relented.

“Pff. I don't know if you're being sarcastic or not. Sorry for bullying the old man, ahahah,” laughed the vice principal. Which was odd, because she was one of the oldest staff in the entire school.

“Wait, what’s that sound?”

“Yeah?”

“Eh. Must have been nothing. Continue.”

Miss Sasha shushed, “Here they come.”

“Yo.”

Sencio ended his conversation with Skell. Keeping up with these three wasn't a problem, him. The three at the back were barely in their vision and that was rapidly becoming worse as Bubble 

“Hiiii!!” Of the three brothers, the only one who acknowledged his existence seemed to be the one that wasn't rabid, or the one that appeared to have a “I will maul anyone who mess with my food” attitude.

“You know you're still going to fail if Bubble doesn't finish, right?” asked Yi Rek.

The cute one — Susie — replied, “There's nothing we can do!”

“Yeah! We’re going to try our best and just hope. Mr. Compass’ a sucker anyway.” The angry one — Tommy — backed his brother up. 

He turned to the last. The rabid fox brother — Indigo — said, “BARKBARKBARK!!”

Uhm. So that wasn't a prank on the new guy.

Well, it was nice to see them so high in spirit, despite being doomed from the start without any wiggle room. Is that really true though? How could Mr. Compass know if we cheated or not? I don't think he has any access to the cameras around town. There's that drone…

It wasn't around. He seeked it everywhere. If it could carry a big bag like that it shouldn't be covert enough to hide from his keen eyes, or ears. However, he wasn't in any hurry to tell them this. After he asked this last question, he would propose it to the group.

“By the way, why did you all accept Engel’s request?”

What they said next made his heart almost fall out of his chest, similar to Bubble’s exhausted self. Susie led, “It's to see our big brother in action! He steals things from the school. Apparently it's really easy because no one guards it at night and they never seem to run out of valuable items!"

…

“EVERYONE STOP!”

“Huff. Hah. Hah…”

“Poor Bubble. Mr. Compass doesn't want us to win at all.” They poured water all over her. It worked bit by bit.

Oh yes, that was how her body worked.

Engel clenched his fist. He knew he shouldn't have counted on one of the partners to Miss Circle. What a fool they were. Indigo sniffed and poked her fatigued body with his head. Bubble didn't mind. His head was grabbed — squeezed like a plushie. Yi Rek allowed them a moment of rest before dropping what he thought of this whole thing.

“You're… really smart for a security guard, Yi Rek,” spoke Claire.

He thought it made sense. Engel sighed, “I don't think I'll ever be as smart as you."

He just read too many comics. 

"Calm down Engel. I believe you-"

“WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME SOONER?!!” Bubble screamed, multiplying her vigor a thousand times to grip his collar. 

“U- uh. Sorry.”

“You owe me one. You owe me one. You owe me one. You owe me one,” Bubble’s bubbles transformed into a darker shade of color, like she was about to spew out lightning to zap him silly. What a terrific mantra.

Great.

At least she let go of him after a couple of seconds, right?

“I need to go back. There's apparently a thief in the school. Since Alice is more active now, they're going to die if I don't save them. Use your time wisely guys, gals!” He didn't hold back and launched himself on the rooftops. 

Sencio jumped and ran as fast as he could.

The fox brothers paused.

“Does he mean thief, as in big brother?”

“Hold right there!!” A voice called out and four shadows dropped right in front of them.

"What now?” Claire commented as the students from Paper School tensed.

The hooded person carrying a sword grunted, “Wait, where’s that Yi Rek? I was supposed to fight him!”

“Huh. Mr. Mura?”

Susie knew that voice!

Indigo agreed, “Barkbark?!”

“Damn it, Mr. Mura!” Sasha hollered. Their disguised were for nothing at all! Miss Sasha spent so much time in this craft.

“W- what?! How am I to blame for his stupid hearing?! I have the voice module on…”

The vice-principal smacked herself in the face. Well, this could be seen as fun, right? Chaotic, messy fun.

Mr. Compass whistled, playing with the drone by juggling it. The real game was to begin. It was possible to complete this test, if they were a healthy adult attuned to their animal self. Since most of them weren't, the "saving grace" was in the form of the other teachers.

Do not get caught by them. Feel free to use any path or route to reach the school. If anyone could reach the school without being in handcuffs, everyone won. Yi Rek wasn't exempt from this, as they designed him a rule to not use his Major Arcana powers.

He had free immunity though. Miss Grace would break his neck if he had several days on his belt just to have Sencio run a marathon.

“Hey!”

That's quick.

“I quit the race!”

Oh. This is unprecedented.

“Mmh? Why?”

Yi Rek zoomed past him to burst through the doors. He didn't forget to elaborate why. “There's a robber in the school as we speak!”

…

So that noise wasn't the mind playing tricks on him. It wasn't glass breaking or doors being shoved in — he presumed anything else was not worth paying attention. Did they climb up the roof and take the vent? 

Welp, it was all on Yi Rek now. He wouldn't dare disturb Alice’s sleep.

“Hup.”

The thief descended expertly without making much noise. He was about seven feet tall, shared many of the traits his little brothers had and an extra tail? Quite the fluff on him.

Unique features separating him from his brothers that haven't been mentioned were his way longer hair, modest frame, taller ears and a floating eyepatch on his left eye… that was half-covered by his wild hair anyway.

His outfit was black and white.

A sweater that had a stitched-on hood, short shorts, long striped shirts and boots. No, this person wasn't lost. Why did he need to dress the part when a mask, gloves and his hoodie popped into place to nullify any attempt at analyzing him?

The police in this place were spread thin anyway. Abandoned buildings to hide aplenty around. He made good headway into ransacking some of the valuable equipment before a voice sundered through the silence like a meteor.

“Hey. HEY. Whoever the hell is sneaking around here, you need to get out! Before it's too late,” shouted the security guard.

His throat endured the screaming, “Promise I won't do anything harsh! I’m this school’s new security guard. You just need to get out of here! Please! Your little brothers told me you were a good guy — you don't wanna die to a demon, do you?!"

The foxy big brother — Nido gulped. “Oh dear…”

“...”

She had a bed in the middle of nowhere. Even a demoness had to rest every night to preserve beauty, Yi Rek’s noises impeded that. The princess grabbed her face in agony.

As long as the thief didn't knock on her door, the important fly to silence would be the angel. Too bad she couldn't kill him. She puffed her chest before stomping her way over to her door and-

Bang!!

Alice kicked the door open. Her mercy was already thin from sparing Engel for hurting Oliver. As much as she hate to say it, seeing Oliver eating a table was funny. Maybe he will finally learn eating soap was a bad idea when you devour right before he kissed his girlfriend!

Besides, not like it didn't matter. They were all to die to her someday near the future and Oliver would be by her side. Anyhow. “This treason cannot be ignored. YI REK. COULD YOU SHUT UP!? I’m trying to sleep here!”

She couldn't kill him. No way. He was too fast and their motivations weren't exactly worthy for a death match...

Yeesh.

How did things go so wrong so fast?

To be continued.

Chapter Text

Into the Cards

—

Chapter 6: Dealing with the Noise Complaint

Flashback: A decade and a half ago—

What was it like to be in a silent forest, so ancient that generations ago felt the same alienation one would feel today walking with these old towers overhead? Haunted, creeped out and definitely feeling stalked.

In fact, it might be worse on the older generations because they had no idea where to go — no idea on what the hell was spying on them either. All in all, the types of fear induced by this jungle men didn't belong in had been unique to each person. So, the next question would be, what was it like to live in a dangerous forest, so filled with monsters, both human and no?

“Biscuit!! Anova!! Where are you!!?”

The singular caretaker protecting them both committed a grave mistake. He was oh-so tired and treated himself to a wonderful nap. Unfortunately, he didn't lock the doors nor the windows. By the time he woke up, an hour later, they were nowhere to be seen inside their safe haven.

Secluded in the part of the forest where it was more peaceful was a large cabin surrounded by trees acting as walls, it was secure and blended with the environment while still possessing a reasonable field for the kids to play in. A radius of a hundred meters.

Going outside involved crawling through a burrow — a bunch of them were made to confuse would-be invaders. There were several symbols to show the home-owners the right way. Even with that, it was still a pain to search if they had gone missing. They did go missing.

A set up like this was truly a double-edged sword, especially when there were two layers to the walls. Thirty minutes and he already noted that they definitely weren't inside the walls anymore. “Biscuit. Anova!!”

The caretaker didn't care to maintain silence anymore. He was stomping over the surroundings, hacked away at the branches or the bushes obfuscating his path. 

If I don't get them soon, night will come and they're not going to survive that…

Luckily, he heard giant taps ring off in the distance. Two year old Biscuit remembered what the caretaker told him and called out with a wooden stick. “Oh you two, you gave me a…”

Huh? Who is this? He admired the bed of flowers in front of him. It smelled wonderful. No wonder these kids were found near it. Biscuit and Anova knew they did something wrong — a pet to their heads nullified a part of their regret.

The caretaker wouldn't be too mad.

Besides, they also found a baby!? The caretaker carried them as if she was his own child. “Who are you, little gal?”

He blinked after he read the words written on her chest.

“Claire?”

In Present Time. 

“Ughh.”

She held her head, awakening to the same miserable world she always knew and hated.

Did I fall asleep? It would have explained why she woke up damn sore all over — sleeping on a dirty road wasn't the best of ideas. 

Which did get into the problem of what exactly convinced her this brick road was a nice place to doze off in her mind? “Get off me!”

That was Engel’s voice. She knew it by heart. Claire wanted to know the whys of things, especially about herself. Biscuit and Anova told her they had no idea of her real parents. They called her a Child of the Forest. Another strange detail about her past was that she had trouble recollecting memories from her childhood. 

Frustrating? Nope, it fueled her adventurous spirit instead.

But this? Lucidity striking her? It was a pain in the ass. “Oh crap.”

She recalled everything from the moment they showed up to explain the real test. The Child of the Forest tried to run, only for Miss Sasha to catch her and knock her out with a swift chop to the neck. Right now, Mister Demi was fighting Engel, Mister Mura was being rabidly assaulted by three-

Bzzzttt!!

“GAHHHH!!!”

Three electric foxes.

Poor guy.

It seemed he couldn't escape them, even when he was off-duty — away from the tasks of a lifeguard. Yeah, it may have been obvious but lightning and water didn't mix very well at all. The three brothers could control their voltage but…

Come on now. Why not have some fun pranking the lifeguard? “You okay?”

“Mhm. Who are you by the way?” She was already handcuffed and if she tried to do anything funny. This lady was on standby to stop that.

“Ah, I’m the vice principal. You probably didn't see me because I took a break months back. It's ending on Monday, next week.”

Outside of the voice, the black and white hair that slipped out of her hood/mask, she had no idea what she looked like. “Sorry Engel, but I can't go too easy on you. It's my job for tonight.”

“I won't… lose-”

Click! Even if Engel broke the dura-steel, he wouldn't be able to win against Mr. Demi. It was hopeless! 

“If Yi Rek was here, he’d beat the crap out of all of you,” Child of the Forest spat out. She wasn't exactly proud, speaking like some c-list villain about how they would totally beat the heroes if they had so-so. But this was not a fat fight, so screw that!

The vice principal called her out, “I thought you’re here to train, not to mooch off of that man’s Visitor status.”

Engel gritted his teeth, “At least hand us some equipment! Mr. Mura has one! This isn't fair!”

She shook her head.

“You should know that by now. Sometimes, it's best to run away. One of the fox brothers or Skell could have escaped. Either by flight or just flat out being faster than us going through you all.”

The condition to win this was not beating them anyway. It was to have one person reach the school and they kinda won already anyway, because Yi Rek was already on their way to Fundamental Paper School.

Stopping him in a situation like this was impossible, except for maybe some technicalities.

Engel crushed the road underneath with his claws. The main point of this battle was not physical examination. It was this.

Heroes? Doomed ones, maybe. Yi Rek had the power, not them. And he was lacking in numerous departments.

This also meant having to retake this test over and over was a lie to motivate them. Except this didn't imply the results didn't matter — it definitely did. It was meant to decipher what level they should construct for students in the coming days.

“Huff. Hah… hah…”

Mr. Mura was entirely unimpeded by his lack of sight. Sounds, vibrations and pure instinct basically equalized the playing field. If it was a one on one, this wasn't that. Plus, lightning was unpredictable while being faster than sound even at lower speeds — messed with his senses.

At last, unless the fox brothers wanted someone to die, Mr. Mura was going to win by just using the blunt end of his katana. “Good job Mura.”

Click. Click. Click!

They fell quickly one after the other once one of them was defeated. It wasn't without great effort though.

“You could have helped me.”

The vice principal waved him off. Now Skell was the only one left that wasn't out of the count or safely knocked out. Probably the strongest out of all those who gathered here, also the tallest student if you didn't count Ruby. (Shouldn't. She was a robot.)

Skell grunted, “How are you dodging everything?!”

It was boiling. The way he even used the concrete that broke off of his punches to try to land a hit in on Miss Sasha. 

“You may have the strength but you lack the agility,” commented Miss Sasha.

“What does that even mean??”

He winded up, before having his gift barrel through the air at high speeds. The closest thing to it was a club swung by a wild beast. Miss Sasha sidestepped as his fist rocked the floor. “This. You linger on the wind up and try to hit everything in a general direction. Thus you are too telegraphed even if the opponent is slower than you and-”

The simple “arts teacher” dodged his attack once again, even the projectile that was hidden in his hand by bending down. Skell didn't take account she would have just ducked under the blow instead of jumping back.

“Bending your body like this. You should hope your footing is ungodly.”

She kicked his foot and Skell was folded like a deck of cards. “Oomphf.”

Click!

They just got owned.

Badly. 

“Let's go back now. Seems everyone here has been caught.”

Claire blinked. Wait, where is-

The vice-principal’s phone beeped. It was Mr. Compass?

“What is it-”

“Call Miss Grace. The kittu catto has hit the fan.”

“Alice. Just let me do my job.”

Yi Rek was being barred from going upstairs by the demon. He had to say, she was stronger than before. Could it be because it was night time, or did it have something to do with her contract? Oh well, he could still escape from her if he wanted to. Trapping him in a dome required to basically destroy the school.

That was a no go and the contract would be called off. Alice refused, “No. How do you know there's a thief here? When I don't?”

Sencio squinted. Really? 

He didn't know whether she was telling the truth or not. They didn't know much about her. Her extra-sensory abilities were a mystery. Did she have eyes like drones or cameras?

You know, there were motion detectors at night to monitor the halls. Alice may have been able to bypass that by standing still and teleporting but the foxy big brother couldn't mimic that. Electricity? Maybe?

Huff. So the thief was no pushover either. Back to the existence of this robber, he trusted the fox brothers and Mr. Compass more than Alice. Those two didn't seem the type to lie about this anyway.

“Come on gal, do you think I would believe you, over them? I don't wanna be here anymore than you do. Fuck off outta the way.”

Bitch.

He held his tongue, surprisingly. “I know, but can't you do it silently? Do you think the robber would listen to you?”

“Either they don't and get freaked out because a security guard is insane, or they do listen. Winwin,” argued Yi Rek. Hopefully Miss Grace doesn't solely chew him out for letting the thief go. They had an identity now so the chances of her being calmer when the knowledge of the thief getting was... higher than nothing.

Alice sighed. Hands… on her hip?

She was planning something. It's so obvious.

He was a little terrified. If she exaggerated, then she was trying to hide something.

I haven't forgotten about Abbie or Lana, or your promise.

“Okay, I lied. Right now they’re somewhere on the third floor. Southside,” relented Alice. Not waiting for him to say anything, he knew he should follow her.

He didn't.

“I’ll tell you what's up with Abbie and Lana, if you do.”

Yi Rek grimaced. That's another fucking lie…

Was it worth it? Letting that thief go? In the unlikely percentage Alice told him the truth, not nothing or just more lies? If he was operating alone, it wasn't worth it. The thing was, he had an “ally” standing outside right now.

Mr. Compass is out there. I’m sure he could handle some robber. He probably called reinforcement already; he’s not stupid.

He surrendered, “Fine. If you don't, I’ll beat you up.”

“Miss Grace.”

Cruising high above the town at a moderate pace, were the duo of Miss Grace (duh) and Alexa Junior. It was the fastest way of transportation; the bird’s eye view was convenient too. “Yes?”

“I detected a minute signature of lesser Arcana inside the school a second.”

“A lesser Arcana? Who is it?”

The tiers had gone like this (from worst to best): The first was lesser Arcana, the second was a regular Arcana and the third being a Major Arcana. Why the worst to best instead of weakest to strongest?

Simple. 

It wasn't a measure of strength. More than that, how connected one was to their Outer God. That was why Visitors were used for the Major Arcana and some exceptional regular Arcana. Aliens — they might as well be lifeforms from alternative universes. “It's a disciple from that monk.”

Well, there was more to it than that.

No time.

“From that sect? Props to him for escaping.”

Too bad, he was going to be sent straight to prison for theft.

Junior Alexa shrugged, “Don't know. But it makes me want to check them out all the more. Hehehe-”

“Remember the plan, Alexa. We drop on them right when they think they're safe, not before. Not after.”

“...”

Tick. Tock.

Minutes passed without any indication of the invader. After sixty seconds passed, he stopped, counting how many seconds the Tower needed to find him waiting. Not more than three, as Alice turned around; the noise of his footsteps disappeared. “You're just wasting my time, aren't you?”

She chuckled.

“I don't know why you would waste your own time too. You do know that Mr. Compass is out there, right? He isn't a pushover, dumbass.”

If this was to drop his guard, it didn't work. It just confused him more, which may have been her intention. But why? 

She drawled, “Yeahyeah-”

He didn't forget his promise.

The Tower had not the opportunity to even say another word before his fist was to punch her face into her head, or outright push her head off her shoulders. She activated her armor in time; his knuckles bled because there were black thorns on top of her hard shell.

“Like the new feature, Yi Rek?”

She didn't either. What? He wasn't the only one allowed to improve.

“GKH!!” Despite the spikes coating her form, he thought it optimal to throw a haymaker at her chest. That muffled groan came from his other palm being impaled. At the least, this staggered Alice.

He kicked her. Succeeding in throwing the dust she left behind when she teleported right behind him. “Damn it-”

Tendrils swamped him. Ripped into his flesh as it wrapped around his limbs. He groaned, though he had no opportunity to enjoy grunting pain out of his system. Yi Rek was close to death and would have died if it wasn't for his quick thinking — protecting his neck from Alice’s tentacles with his hands.

He thought Alice’s true form had no mouth at all. Sencio was terribly wrong in such regard, seeing her spawn a maw that could take a bite out of half of him in an instant. Backing away was a struggle, he had to fight through the pain and Alice’s own tight grip on him. Even if he broke some of the “feelers”, they were reinforced with more. 

Oh shit oh shit oh shit-

A standstill was to Alice’s advantage. Her body was flexible enough to stretch her neck like slime. Well, if this wasn't the perfect time to finally utilize his flames, he didn't know when.

“Submit~” whispered Alice. As ghostly as breathing.

“Fuck you-”

BANG!!

When Alexa said it was flame manipulation he had, he didn't expect the first showcase of it exploding right in his face, literally. Neither did Alice. This worked wonderfully, and sent both of them back. Alice stopped herself from being flung fat by digging her feet. 

The same couldn't be said about Yi Rek, who crashed through the walls of this place and launched out of the building, burning. “Oof!”

He fell down with a thud from a three-story drop. Yi Rek wasn't injured at all and was much more busy trying to extinguish the flames from evaporating his clothes! The man wasn't trying to expose himself today, or ever!

“You alright, Yi Rek?”

“Mr. Compass? What are you doing here? Did you catch the thief already?”

The shapeshifter shook his head, “Nope. Didn't see them at all.”

…

“ARE YOU SERIOUS?!!!”

First, the robber got away with all the goodies. Second, he left the others to run here. Third, he blew up part of the building. Fourth, his clothes were fucked — thank goodness some of his pants remained. Fifth, he almost died to Alice.

All that for nothing! They needed to retake this stupid test too. “HISSSS!!! Flamesssss!~”

“Huh?”

“Eh?”

That was Alice? The sound of her being pained? Did his flames actually work! If it did… 

Let's go! I found her weakness! Yesss!!

“Suck it!!” 

Mr. Compass raised his eyebrow, “You really think that was Alice? I think that's a pretty delayed reaction.”

Oh. Hmm…

“Eh. I don't care. If she has to do all this, it means she's not even that dangerous to begin with!” laugher Yi Rek. That was probably the wrong way to take it, but he just narrowly avoided death.

Something something. Let him have it.

“What happened??”

The vice-principal and company introduced themselves to Yi Rek once again. Sencio squinted. All of them wore masks, hoodies, etc. Except for the students — they appeared too depressed for an explanation. “Who the hell are you guys?”

Once they took off the mask, he let out a “huh” at them being staff. The vice-principal didn't take her stuff off, weirdly. Whatever, he recounted the previous events while they elaborated on the real challenge.

The conclusion was extremely unsatisfactory. Mr. Compass patted his back, “You shouldn't have said you quitted, Sencio. But don't worry, no one will have to retake this test.”

“Damn right, you don't.”

The gathered looked up. Miss Grace, and Junior Alexa? The former had caught the little thief. Apparently, he waited until the coast was clear. He wasn't going to want to fight two Major Arcana when his original purpose was just to make a hefty buck.

Wrong move. He should have cut his greed and ran with minimal valuables. He didn't; he was in the hands of an old hag now.

Everyone raised their hands, showing their appreciation in their own ways. Mostly hoorays. Damn right — this was a clause for celebration.

Students didn't care. Well, the fox brothers certainly did. They reacted as expected.

“Barkbarkbark!!”

“Grrr. Beat us up, and now you're shaming big brother like that?!!”

After ten seconds, Yi Rek and the students had found the teachers wordlessly waddling towards the thief. “Mmhphmhphh!!!”

Oh yeah, he was gagged.

“Kids. This is a lesson on why you shouldn't mess with people and their items!”

“Let our big brother go!!” screamed Susie. 

“...”

Miss Grace shed a tear for the building, which now had a Yi Rek-sized hole on the third story. The teachers were not cruel; they weren't merciful either. Cue a Jojo Part 5 type of beatdown. “How dare you steal from us?? Do you know how much those things cost!!?”

That was the vice principal. Kickkick. Shared the same sentiment as Miss Grace.

“Bastard. Stealing all my snacks!”

T’was Mr. Compass. Stompstomp.

“Uhm…”

Mr. Demi and Sencio ran interference. Junior Alexa watched on.

Government agents? Hah. That be damned.

One Minute Later.

“Yeesh.”

Nido crumpled like an accordion. Not to worry, he was still alive. He just needed a pack of ice to heal all those wounds. Miss Grace dusted her hands, “Serves this disrespectful creature right. Huff. Anyway, how did the test go?”

“Bad. I quit right before the real test got explained to me.”

“Shame. Take it as a lesson, then. Mr. Sencio.”

“Ayeaye, ma’am.”

He gave her a salute. They thought the night was over. Alice was back in her hidey hole — presumably hurt with a gigantic question mark next to that statement, the thief was caught and the race was over. The staff slowly released the handcuffs.

“Oh gosh- huh… I think I’m gonna die…”

Even though it wasn't over yet. The voice belonged to Bubble, who was slowly melting as she completed her one objective. “Mymy, we really forgot about her.”

The vice-principal commented. 

Claire screamed, “Haha. We won! We won!!” 

The girl acted like she won the lottery; she and Engel didn't wait at all, racing to embrace their best friend. They weren't crybabies by any means, but the tears flowed for both that night.

Sencio couldn't help it; he smiled, flashing his teeth.

Miss Grace closed her eyes. This was quite reminiscent of the past school.

“You have amazing potential.”

“Huff…”

Flames. Flames. Flames.

She didn't hate the flames. In fact, she loved it. Why would a demon hate flames from Hell? Yes, the hiss was a lie, indeed. Though it did hurt a little — there was one aspect the demon couldn't stand in those fires. Holiness…

“His halo…”

Broken halo or not. It looked like he still had the element of purification. Alice had to be careful. In the efforts of having him lower his defenses, she had to prop her own. Training was imperative. Besides, this was their food, so she had to watch out for the other Major Arcana (the Hermit) lying in the shadows.

Anyway, she she had to thank Oliver for the knowledge. Just like how Yi Rek could feel he was cold, the inverse was also possible. Warm to the touch. Now, she had to admit, wrapping herself in bandages to act meek was an incredible out-there, brave idea…

Alice swallowed her pride.

“Just wait. Miss Grace. Yi Rek. And Claire…”

That girl… was really frustrating. For some reason. Like an invisible wound. “You're all going to die.”

To be continued.

Next chapter teaser: Apples Attract Devils

Chapter Text

Into the Cards

—

Chapter 7: Keeps the Angels ————

The night didn't last long, but was immensely productive for all those involved in the aftermath of the theft. To be fair, that may have been an exaggeration. Nothing really happened at night time usually — not quite like this.

Nido showed them the way to his headquarters. An abandoned factory building’s basement. Junior Alexa scanned the perimeter for traps; she found none at all. Though it was extremely dusty and… dirty, to say the least.

Thankfully, all the students had been safely escorted home. No visit to the doctor; they weren't that injured. The fox brothers? Promising to them that their big brother would be fine if things had gone right.

Since Nido didn't want to hurt his little ones anymore than what had already happened, he agreed. “Holy crap, you could buy an actual lifetime supply of Kittu Catto.”

Literally, a stack of money the size of a Volkswagen, on that night, Miss Grace allowed her love to be visible on her face. It was unreal. This type of money — no one ever saw in their entire lives.

They touched it, making sure it wasn't a trick or it would disappear if they didn't. Except for Junior Alexa, the money was nice. It fueled her experiments and scientific pursuits; they were often handled by the government.

She thought, seeing them be hypnotized by a pile of scrap wood. “And they say I’m a freak.”

“Hey! That's my hard work! Don't touch it like that!” growled Nido. Stealing here… was not hard at all. Abandoned buildings have a lot to them that could be called somewhat valuable, but the problem was selling them to someone who would accept a wide variety of quality.

Most of these were only useful as scrap. It didn't mean it earned him bad money though. Just look at the size of the money hill. Everyone was taking turns laying on top of it, excluding Alexa and the obvious. Miss Grace responded, “We will allow you to continue operations. If! If…you do not steal from us and live at a designated spot, how about it?”

He almost spat at her.

“Think I’d live and listen to someone again? I’m a free man!! Truly free to do anything as I like. I’d rather eat nails than listen to nothingness again!”

The answer was expected, though a great many were confused when the last part rang out. What did he mean to listen to nothingness? Yi Rek interjected, “Dude, you should take this offer. You wanna know how mad these people could get?”

It wasn't like he was totally green about their treatment.

Miss Grace hummed, “He is a lesser Arcana, works for a monk that preaches about finding nothingness to be truly free. This man probably escaped because the monk lies. In any case, I hate being compared to him. Alexa?”

“Yeahhhh,” beamed the robot.

“Do you mind teaching him some manners?”

Nido retracted, “Waitwaitwait no. Anything but her! Please!”

Thus the money was split. A tenth of it was left for Nido while everything else was swallowed up by the school and faculty. Junior Alexa honored the deal, taking “ownership” of Nido’s custody. 

With that done and dealt with, everyone couldn't wait. It was going to an immensely fun weekend-

“One more thing.”

“Mhm?”

“That bug on Engel’s…”

Bzt! Bzt! Bzt!

Six in the morning! Six in the morning!

He slammed the alarm, nearly breaking it in the process. “No it's not…”

Junior Alexa was beside his bed, offline. She deserved it. Or maybe she had too many tasks in her lab.

Oh yeah, one detail he forgot to mention was that he still owed Bubble a favor. Last night, she clarified very mightily to him that he was to come to an address to run errands for her. Apparently, next week will be a terrific one for the students because of the tests. So a lot of students are hanging out with eachother to study.

I mean, it's not like I have anything to do. I think I already train enough. Blablabla. It was boring. As mundane as taking a shower right after waking up and strolling downstairs to see if Miss Grace had prepared any food for him, or if his bum needed to go take out.

“Woahhh. Miss Emily?”

Miss Emily was right there, chewing cereal with Miss Grace. Both in extremely casual clothes, quite loose too. She waved back, “Ah, Yi Rek, welcome back to the waking world. Hah, it is a joyous occasion for celebration! It is my gratitude to you that we have caught the thief and given our just rewards!”

Yi Rek’s social batteries were… rock bottom.

“Uhuh. Miss Grace and Alexa carried that though. I just fought Alice and blew up the school. Don't need to thank me.”

In fact, he would call himself lucky to receive cereal after tonight. This was enough to show their gratitude. Miss Grace coughed, “You don't need to downplay yourself like that, Yi Rek. We are a team. For your first day, it could have gone worse. Now eat up, before it goes cold.”

“You know, cereal is more delicious when cold. I occasionally put ice cubes in it,” Miss Emily clarified.

“What?”

That was Miss Grace. Yi Rek nodded while taking a seat. Couldn't throw any shade; he liked to have his cereal without milk at all. Miss Emily also asked, “What?”

The principal snorted, “Well, you're definitely not messing with any of my food then.”

“Come on now, dear. Don't be so cranky. Life is too short not to wonder about new things~”

“Keep that in bed. And keep the ice cubes to yourself,” chewed out Miss Grace. If Yi Rek was any lesser of a man, he would have fucking splattered these two with the cereal he kept within his cheeks.

He could tell they weren't serious though. The moment Miss Emily laughed, poked her a couple while Miss Grace chuckled and pinched her cheek. What the hell?

This… this old HAG got more action than MEEE??!

How wild.

Sencio slurped up all the food in the bowl like a reverse hose. He wasn't going to intrude on them and even if they didn't feel off with him here, he did! He was getting butterflies seeing them…

Call it jealousy. Call it whatever. They were way past middle-aged and he wasn't even twenty one! It was…

It was like seeing mom and dad in their advanced years

Well, banter aside, this was nothing too serious. I guess that tea cup from yesterday belonged to her, aye?

He excused himself; they nodded. 

Goodbyes and all.

“Phew. Okay, so Bubble is really rich. How does she even clean all this?”

It was basically a mansion. Three stories, rivaled Miss Grace’s and even had a gate where he needed to wait for Bubble to open. Was he going to spend time here? This might not be too bad. Raiding the fridge here we-

“Hey, Yi Rek!” greeted Bubble joyfully.

That was fast. He stared down at the adorable bubbles that had eyes. She wore glasses and clothes like she was about to go on a vacation at the top 10 tourist spots in the world. Sun hat, sundress.

Yi Rek said, “Up so early? What are you so excited for exactly?”

He couldn't complain too much. Waiting around in front of the gate would have been so boring; his phone was nice but.. it was really creepy. It felt like everything on there was the dark side of the internet on its face. This world was the opposite of the concept of dark web diving — family friendly was the rare and hidden thing.

“I’m going to Cubbie’s place. He kinda doesn't like going out too much, unless he has to. Really homesick,” elaborated Bubble. That made sense. Cubbie was a cat, if he remembered correctly.

“Right. Does he prefer being alone?”

Yeah sure, it was a random question. But it would really help it if this world’s… species aligned with the same behaviors as those back on Earth. Help him how?

Help his curiosity, duh.

Bubble hummed, “No. He likes to have me around, and also likes Kevin’s company. More often than not.”

I see. 

“Will Kevin be there too?”

“Dunno. But enough! I need to go to Cubbie quick! Here's the list. Good luck; have fun!” Bubble ran off like the track star, kicking up dust along the path. By the looks of it, she was running way faster than the previous night.

I know improvements can exist…

No way improvement this big could happen in this short amount of time. It was impossible. Does she have a crush on Cubbie or what?

Speculations away, Sencio was thankful Bubble didn't seem to find it odd that he was asking this many questions. He looked at the list of tasks he had to do. “Ah shit.”

It all culminated on basically keeping her mansion as clean as possible. So this was how she kept her house clean and tidy. He could respect it. No stranger to this and with his Major Arcana status, he was about to whip this place up brand new in under an hour.

“Couch. Coughcough… what the hell…”

Two hours of his life were gone. In the blink of an eye. Sure, it wasn't anything big on the surface or upper floors, took his time cleaning them up because wow — everything felt so great and fresh. Where did she even get this…

Oh. She's Bubble. Made out of bubbles.

The expense of detergent was lost on her. So incredibly lucky...

Anyway, the problem started to arise when he had gone into the basement. It was terribly filthy and had lots of things. Safe to say, he was glad he had endless flames on demand.

Hell, he was shocked to see her house didn't burn down with how much he was throwing around. AC blared on and on. It was practically the only thing on right now in this house. Everything else was turned off. Yi Rek checked the list again and saw something miserable…

“Damn it.”

He had to do this all over again in the evening. Still, it was going to be way, way easier considering the brunt of the work was now gone (the basement). Other than that, he needed to get some snacks for them and to the junkyard to deliver some schematics?

The junkyard had a name — written like this: Kool Krafties Hideout.

Interesting.

He had to pay out of the food and the drinks with his own pocket money. It was hefty too, feeding them from now to night. You know, should he actually accept this? Wasn't this extortion? Oh well, he supposed it was fine — more than enough to waste it like this.

If this was a one time thing.

Sencio delivered it to Cubbie's house, much more modest than Bubble’s. Also, this might be him being too nosey, but there were only two people in this house. Cubbie and Bubble. Yeah, they probably had a crush on one another. God bless.

Then it was time to hand this schematic to the junkyard. He had many ideas on what it would be. Must have been massive due to this town not being in the best shape.

I hope the people there are nice.

He had a guess on who its leader could be. If he was correct, good. He had some unfinished business he would take care of.

Yi Rek whistled, “Alright. It is fucking massive.”

It was closer to a forest than a junkyard. Metallic mountains of “human” invention laid about everywhere instead of massive hollow trees. He could see some places where it was messed with — scattered parts away from the mounds, so the foxy big brother did come here occasionally. This really is a treasure trove for scavengers.

He could see how this could be the students’ hang out. “Intruders spotted!! Stop where you are, right now!”

Sencio was casual as ever, strolling through with one hand in his pocket; the other grabbing the folders. It wasn't far until he faced a gate with sentries?! The students here were actually inventors. He wasn't all that familiar with student voices so he had no idea who that was. Sounded terribly young though.

Reasonably, he could deescalate this by saying Cubbie sent him to deliver them all a package. But where was the fun in that? “Ooohhh. I’m getting closer to the gate. What are you going to do about it.?”

“Tsk. That's it. Open fire!”

Sentries came alive and he readied himself for a hail of bullets. Instead, he received hundreds of nuts, bolts, etc. It couldn't be that hard to make a gun, so they probably just wanted to make it hurt rather than have someone die. That would probably be really hard to explain to the police. He wasn't trespassing; nobody owned this place anyway.

“Oh, it didn't work!! What do-”

“Shh calm down. You just need to use more knives!”

“No, you can't kill him! We’ll be kicked out of here and jailed! Just help get me the catapult-”

That was a feminine voice just now. Knives? He confiscated one from a girl yesterday. Wasn't really all that eventful so he ignored mentioning it. Everyone seemed to be used to her antics. Probably one of the easier things to swallow in that school. Much easier than Derla's cooking…

“Heave. Heave-ho!”

Yi Rek saw the glorious mass of projectile… miss him by a long shot. It would have actually fatally wounded someone if it landed correctly. Well, someone from back “home”. Pretty sure any of the adults in the school could probably tank it without much trouble. “What the hell are you guys doing?!!”

“There's someone out there! We don't know why he's here. He's going to kill us all!!”

Another voice intervened. This time, someone older than the two. Still quite squeaky though. “Get the mech. Skell will take care of this-”

“Okay, enough playing around. I’m Yi Rek, security guard of Paper School. Or Fundamental Paper School- whatever. I have a package for you. It's from Cubbie.”

They shamelessly opened the gates.

“Ahem. Apologies for these two. Thank you for the mail. It arrived sooner than I expected,” coughed Kevin. It was not a big deal. Riley and Robby defended as much as they could. They were motivated! Just a little… rash.

“Yeahyeah. What's that for?”

It didn't actually look too shabby. Their headquarters. Also, there was Ruby and Skell, they said hi but he didn't want to bother them so much. Thus he took his attention to the table where the craft part of Kool Krafties’ hideout happened. “Traps. Well, that plus some armor. For us… and you.”

Yi Rek tilted his head. Then he closed his eyes after reaching an epiphany. “You know that I know?”

“I know you know that I know. The bug is mine, indeed. I’m sorry for that. I wanted to know you and slapped Engel’s hands when you called for him,” admitted Kevin.

The Hanged Man uttered, “Did you get what you wanted?”

He nodded, “More than that. I know you're definitely on our side and strong enough to hold back Alice. Just… 

“Do you know how crazy it drives people? Our teachers murderers, and the ones that aren't frolicking like there's nothing wrong in the world!”

Yi Rek blinked. He understood. In fact, he may have been a little… lenient with them. First time he dropped here; after saving someone was for Miss Grace to arrest them. They weren't bad people though.

He could feel the weight of the words and the stare Miss Grace had. Sencio remembered, though it wasn't like he was here for long. It happened yesterday.

“More than anyone else, I want to see her driven to ruin.”

“I do. You're not insane. But none of us can do anything to Alice. It’s a waiting game until I get strong enough to beat her.” Yi Rek knew this may cross some boundaries, but he patted his head. It seemed like he needed it. He guessed Kevin had to go through countless nights trying to build something actually able to defeat Alice and the teachers.

“That's not good enough…”

Admittedly, the only part lacking was the solution towards the Tower.

“Yes. It isn't. But I’ll get there, one way or the other. Have you heard about Mr. Compass’ after classes?”

Kevin harrumphed, “Bah. That is useless. Unless he teaches robotics, I’ll pass…”

Fair.

In other news — since he didn't see much of his inventions in the school, it probably wasn't good enough for him, or the murderers had gone through them like tissue paper. In any case, Kevin learned to be more lowkey with that bug technology. The nerd… accepted it. “I’m not soft, Mr. Sencio. Look at this.”

He had actually had stockpile of powe armor and other things in a garage somewhere. Yi Rek thought he would have gotten a ray gun or a rail gun out of the inventory, except the dork nabbed something more… mundane.

A katana.

Jeez. Weebs galore over here.

“You know Mr. Compass can teach you a thing or two about how to swing a blade, right?”

Kevin scoffed, “I’m good enough with the blade. Hiyah! My dream is to slash thrice together in a single moment!”

That was… impossible. Outside of that, it wasn't like Yi Rek was a savant with the sword. So, no comment on his pose or form.

“Righto then, if you don't have anything-”

“Oh, I do. I want to know what the limit of your strength is. Here. Squeeze as hard as you can,” spoke Kevin, who handed him one of those grip test things to measure how much force you could crush something with.

“Righto.”

CRACKKK!

It was dusted the moment he gritted his teeth, crushing it utterly. Uhm…

He didn't expect it to fall so easily. Kevin thought it would have at least put up some resistance. That thing could resist up to multiple tons. “Okay, test done. Feel free to go now-”

“Heyyyy!! Kevin. Open up. I’m here with Zip!”

Zip?

Wasn't that…

“It's so good to see you, man. Cubbie wanted us to make some traps and armor right?”

Edward was practically jumping in the spot with how excited he was. The prankster in his heart was whatever on the armor but the traps? He had a bunch of ideas he wanted to expand upon. Besides, Edward was skilled enough to make his own blueprints. If he didn't find any he liked, the solution was simple.

Zip chuckled, “Smh. What a nerd. Thought you were one of the cool kids, Eddie.”

“Heyyy, I put the cool on Kool Krafties. Don't hate me because I’m smart,” defended the little devil. 

“Ahem. If you lovebirds are done, yes. I have them laid out on the table. But there has been a change of plans, do you remember the security guard?”

Eddie squinted, “No, should I?”

Kevin was about to make Edward privy to the information he had gathered through the bug. Unfortunately, his worst fear was true — it was more or less an open secret the bully trio was responsible. Guess who stomped his foot and stepped forth soon as he was even lightly disrespected.

Of course, this wasn't about whether or not he was acknowledged. It was about Claire.

“Sososo, Zip and Edward huh? Kevin. When you said to me it made you crazy to see people frolic freely with the bad ones…”

As well as hypocrisy.

“Who is this loser?” exclaimed Edward. Now, he will not lie, he did… sweat a bit. The anger of the teacher was no joke. Even Mister Demi had his outburst every now and then.

Zip mocked, “I don't know. But someone's mad at a little prank huh?”

She knew it wasn't. He knew it wasn't.

Yi Rek grinded his feet against the ground. What a hateable bunch. Especially Zip and Oliver. He heard Edward wasn't part of that prank, but he still dropped her down the library chute. Sencio may have understood Edward, since at the end of the day, he was helpful.

Zip wasn't.

“Yes. You got what you wanted, didn't you?”

He was no killer, but he was a punk for a reason. Kevin didn't want to lose Edward, so he stood in front of the two. Riley, Robby, Skell and Ruby had the smiles wiped off their faces; they tensed their shoulders for the worst. “Please… Yi Rek. Don't do this.”

“...”

He clenched his fist and started to bring forth the flames. It was concentrated into his form, so he looked like someone who was the newest holder of the title, “Ghost Rider”. Luckily, his flesh was entirely unaffected.

Yi Rek was not going to stoop so low as to kill someone, especially children. Scaring them? Well, that would be a fun pastime for him.

Everyone already sort of knew he was special, but to see him like this? Confirming the theories? “Holy shit” was everyone's reaction.

“Don't think Alice can protect you forever. If neither of you bother to apologize to everyone you have wronged by the end of this all, I am going to haunt you,” finished Sencio, who retreated all of his flames into his heart.

Besides, he had no right to hand out punishment. That would belong to the other students.

They were speechless. Neither a nod or a shake. He left like snuffed candles. By the time he was fully gone, Kevin cursed.

Hours after hours. 

Done. Everything was done.

He cleaned the house, delivered some more food to Cubbie’s house, ate at a fast food restaurant and now spent his time idling on a bench that was close to the playground. This was truly some homeless activity. Yi Rek hoped that no student would see him at this time.

You know how shameful and lame it would be? For a Major Arcana to laze around like a bum? If somebody took a picture of him, it wouldn't be contained to this town. Shit would have gone uber viral and he would probably die being remembered as such.

“Hey Yi Rek.”

“Oh hi Abbie.”

Onto more regular stuff, the wind felt extremely cold. Like a snowless winter…

Wait.

“ABBIE?!!”

He slipped trying to get up. Due to the loud decibels he just threw, Abbie covered his ears with his hands. “Ow…”

“Ah, sorry man. It's… uh…”

The apple boy shook the shiver and pain off his body. He was wearing a pretty snug outfit, to be sure; Abbie had one of those furred hats with his sprout exposed on top. Scarf, gloves, thick jacket and long pants. His outfit was completed with him carrying an axe.

Brother was ready for a sudden winter to blanket the town.

“It's okay. I forgive you. I think I- I have to go now,” Abbie excused himself.

Yi Rek reached out to him, “Wait wait wait! I want to uh… speak to you. About stuff. If that's okay.”

“What's there to talk about, Mr. Sencio?”

He muttered, “I am-”

“No. That… doesn't matter. You're alive here and now, right? Where are you going?”

He took a bet and crossed yet another boundary. Yi Rek’s hands gripped one of Abbie’s, like delicate glass. The apple boy was warm.

This wasn't a zombie. Abbie glanced over at the side of the road. “I’m just going to collect firewood. For me and Lana later.”

“Can I help? I have nothing to do.”

Deep, Deep Inside the Forest.

The journey was silent. Yi Rek was… eyeing at every hiding spot, corner and cave. He expected for some dangerous creature to pop out from the undergrowth to threaten them.

Nothing found them.

Another threat: Getting lost was highly likely. He didn't know why, but his phone signal was a little bit haywire in these parts. They were completely useless by the one hour mark of their journey. Abbie seemed to know where he was going though. “Gotta say, Abbie, you're a damn expert.”

The trees were… fantastical to say the least far from eachother and massive enough to be buildings. Here, it was like a completely dried swamp, except for the occasional river. The section of this forest was way more ancient than the one he arrived at.

Abbie smiled.

“Thanks, I’ve been at this… for my whole life.”

“Good to know, are we stopping any time soon?” Yi Rek asked.

“Five minutes. Then we can start chopping some wood.”

The security guard looked at the twisting, static lifeforms. Could Abbie really chop trees like that? “By the way, Abbie. Can I ask you something… really private?”

“What is it?”

“Why is your name written Abigail? I’ve never seen anyone call you that in my life.”

He explained, “Well, my parents always wanted a girl. Sadly, I wasn't what they hoped for.”

“Where are they, currently?” Yi Rek grimaced.

“Not here. They left. A while back.”

Fucking cowards…

They entered a clearing soon after. Many smells were located here. All of them were quite pleasant. Similar to apple juice and another aroma he couldn't put his tongue around. Probably from Lana.

Or maybe it was the opposite. Though, speculating on people's body smell was too weird for Yi Rek’s bored self. He filed that under “I hope I never have to think stuff like that again”.

“Huff. Okay, we can start now. This is the gathering spot-”

Eh?

Abbie stopped. Yi Rek ducked, had himself in a racing position. Before he could continue, Sencio launched himself through the foliage. He was about to commit massive deforestation.

Really, he was the nemesis to demons, monsters and… the environment. Forest fires were hellish.

Ten Minutes Later — On the Edge of Nighttime.

“W- we don't need to get this many!”

Yi Rek knew it would be dumb to widen the clearing. It was already risky staying exposed like this, so he had to take some logs from far away. Didn't stop him from getting enough to make a whole cabin with some to spare. Abbie was reasonable — gathering enough to make a bonfire that would last the whole night. “S- sorry… I wanted to make sure.”

Only Yi Rek could somehow make the designated idiot of the school look like a genius. Not to discredit Abbie, of course. He was way smarter in areas that weren't related to subjects in school.

He even proved that five minutes ago anyhow.

“I- it's fine. Uh… I don't know what to do with all this. Do you have any ideas?”

Sencio hummed, “Sure do.”

Night took hold off of the surroundings and the fire was lit. Lana approached the spot they knew for the larger part of their life, stumbling upon the monstrosity two doofuses built. 

“What?” Her raspy voice echoed breathlessly.

“Hey, Lana! I- I hope you don't mind. Yi Rek is here.”

They made a hut out of the logs. Staked them to the ground to make a circular spot for them to rest inside. Gratefully, they could make a roof over their head and a floor. The roof would have been useless as hell if their feet didn't have a platform to stand on; their lower wear would have gotten terribly wet. “If I’m making you two uncomfy, I’ll leave."

Leftovers were used to… basically make a statement on architecture. Strewn randomly across the clearing with some doodles Yi Rek drew on them.

“Not at all. We welcome you, Yi Rek!” guffawed the shark.

“Y'all got any marshmallows?”

“Nope.”

“What are smores?”

Lana brought the goodies to this raggedy shack. They huddled around the campfire, which had its own special place in the center of the room. It was a pit surrounded by rocks. They weren't gonna let it burn this new home of theirs to the ground. “Seriously?”

“No. Really. What are they? Are they like mushrooms?” questioned Lana.

Abbie and Sencio looked at eachother. The apple boy’s stare meant he was asking Yi Rek if he actually heard what Abbie did. Sencio's gaze asked if Abbie never introduced her to a camping classic.

He never went camping and he knew what marshmallows were. “Uh, puffy white clouds-”

“Of course I know what marshmallows are, you dummies! I’m not that dumb,” laughed Lana, who switched the butt of the joke from her to them. She even bit their cheeks with her hand puppets.

These kids are really friendly…

Too friendly. Did they forget about what happened to them yesterday? Not even that, he felt vomit rise to the back of his throat at all this.

Abbie grew red in the face while Yi Rek laid himself out flat on the ground. 

Of course they did.

He would too. 

“By the way, just because you don't know something, doesn't mean you're dumb,” Yi Rek mumbled.

Abbie agreed, “Mm. I can see it, yeah.”

“Ueh? So I’m smart!” Lana raised her hands in joy.

Lana didn't have hand puppets without having the ability to use them what they were meant to be used for. To tell stories, even if it was a scuffed version of one.

“I’m up. Yi Rek?” checked Abbie. Ever since he fell over, he was deep in thought. They had to wait a minute before a reply soared through his mouth.

He rose from the ground like the undead. “Go on. Tell your story.”

“Ahemahem! Then let's begin! Special one for our new memberrrr-”

Falling flakes and the raging cold swept the land; the cities weren't spared, so were its people. The harshest of them to suffer this winter — outside of the plants, the fishes, were the tramps.

Water was rare; food was short. All that they could muster for their day were the rats and their flood for nutrients. Many fell, buried not by man, or released by flames, but by the frost who petrified people.

The Great Dying happened in the span of ten days. Simply ending because it had no more lives to take. The winter didn't last that long, not long enough to bite the necks of those inside solid walls and many logs. 

A young boy and girl lived through the last days of the Great Dying. The rats poisoned them and the water was sparse. Using them delayed death, by torturing oneself. Despite the lack of food — water, the hope of survival, the tramps had not lost their humanity.

For a better, brighter future, they allowed for them to feast on their flesh, drink their blood for nutrients and hide beneath carcasses for shelter. There were plenty of bodies to go around.

Yet still, those things dwindled as well. If they did not eat them, then the winter covered their corpses. By the time they had to resort to hoping the people high up to take them in, the blood on their mouths couldn't be erased.

Thus, their end marked the curtain of the Great Dying.

But it was not the ghost of the north that dragged to their coffinless death, the young girl found a matchstick. Located in the dumps — they were mostly hopping from one to the other. In search of… whatever it was they could find.

The young boy was happy, “Oh! We can survive. Maybe if we get all the people and wood in one place, we can light a massive fire to cleanse this city!”

Or an idea more ingenious, set the buildings housing those lucky survivors aflame. The young girl had found it hard to refuse. Except there was no possibility of it burning in winds like this, it would never swallow the world in its rampage, not even one building.

The young girl cried out.

“My friend, we have lived. By the help from others. And through the trash. 

“Some would say, we should cherish our lives. Light upon any surface we could burn, to spite the world that tried to kill us! But do you know what we will lose?”

Or to be more precise, what they have already lost? The young boy gritted his teeth, “We simply had no other choice!”

“We do. We always do, foolish brother…” cackled the young girl. She invited him to huddle in a fortress of bodies they made. Worked both as a wall and food.

The young boy sat down with his sister. He knew what was going to happen.

“I think I miss the warmth of the sun…”

“I do too.”

So they lit the match by a graceful stroke, allowing for a fleeting flame to stop the frost. What good was a life after so many hardships?

They burned away, baptized by the flames. Returning to the land, ancient and comforting.

Peace be with them.

“The end! How was it?”

Lana smiled, earnestly.

Abbie clapped his hands. It was the Lana he knew; morbidness clinging to the underside of her “wild nature”.

Yi Rek didn't know Lana; if he had to guess before this whole revelation, his best guess wouldn't even be miles close to the real person behind Abbie’s best friend, and crush though. “Did you have to make it so morbid?”

“Well duh, campfire stories are supposed to be scary. It’ll be boring otherwise~”

“Okay then, morbid girl Lana, I have to say it was… pretty unique? Sounds like a fairy tale. Were you…” Yi Rek had a brain for a reason. A tale like that — he could guess what she was referencing. Was she venting through that story or did she… you know, just had a burst of inspiration after everything?

“Yes! You look like Claire when she first heard one of my stories. Haha. I hope they’ll come back soon…”

I miss them.

Abbie nodded.

They're still human.

Sencio grinded his hands on the bark. How could I be so fucking stupid? It's not their fault Alice revived them just to fuck with all of us. 

It was torture, seeing your only friends distance themselves from you because you were a victim.

N- no. He couldn't blame them either…

They had the right to be scared. I probably would too. There's no telling Alice can see through their eyes or transform them into horrors.

But they haven't, so…

It was better to treat them as humans. Right? “I’m sorry.”

“Sorry for what, Yi Rek? We understand,” said Lana.

Abbie sighed, “M- mhm. I’m… just glad I could spend a few more days with Lana. If I die right now, I’ll be at peace.”

Death took their fears away, for better or worse was… undecided.

“Ehehe. Love you, little apple pie!”

“Love you too, Lana.”

Sencio stood up. It was pitiful, for sure.

“You… just have hope. I’ll try my best.”

Another thing, his Major Arcana status could allow him to sense if something was off with people. The stench of another Major Arcana was way stronger than anything else a person could possibly emit.

Right now, they weren't pinging anything. It might have to do with the fact they haven't been outright mutilated with Alice’s power.

Was locking them up in Alexa’s lab the right thing to do? Until this all blew over? An alternative would be arming these kids with collars that would have sealed their powers if Alice ever summoned them. That's more… humane, I guess?

“Okay~”

“Good luck. We’ll try our best too,” said Abbie.

Alice. How could a girl be so evil-

‘HELPPPPP!!!’

Yi Rek thrashed. They responded, “Are you okay-”

“I hear someone calling for help. Major Arcana stuff. I’m going. You guys stay here.”

Lana held his hand. Abbie quickly extinguished the flames, hoping it wasn't too late. “Whatever is out there, it's not human. Don't go!”

She was probably correct; he had to make sure of it. Besides, he could handle himself. These two were the problem. If something like Alice reared their heads at them right now, he could at least distract them if he met them far away from this hut. 

“Lana. Abbie. Stay quiet. You guys have an axe, right? If anything happens, the password is Matchstick. If I don't return — if you guys hear anything off, see anything move that's not me…”

Run.

So he disappeared into the night.

Tick.

Tock.

Tick.

Tock.

“HELLOO?? I’M HERE!!”

‘Helppp!!!’

Yi Rek couldn't pin point the source of the disturbance at all. It changed every second, as if it knew he could track their presence. He circled the perimeter a couple dozen times, widening the area with every lap.

Ten minutes spent in securing this place. Ten minutes gone from his life, finding nothing at all. Under the rocks, the shadow or behind the trees.

‘Help!!!’

Yi Rek questioned himself. Was he just fucking hallucinating? “Come on, I'm right here!!”

It was to the point where he actually toppled some trees and thrashed around with it. If it couldn’t be intimidated, then it was to gather their attention. If it wasn't interested in him, then it must be intimidated by him.

‘Help!!’

Sigh…

Maybe he was a little too paranoid. He did have an insanely productive day. Sencio was way tired, haha.

In any case, he returned to safe heaven. The weight on his shoulders decreased when he saw those two huddled together for warmth. Not dead. Not injured. Real and emotions written on their face. “Matchstick.”

‘Help!’

Relief, and then a new one seemed to take control after he made sure he recalled the password to them.

He knew that stare.

“B- behind you.”

Yi Rek dragged his feet, drawing a line in the grass. The monster that had been stalking him revealed himself.

‘Help.’

The calls were as quiet as water dripping.

Veiled by the shadows of trees, the moonlight let him have a glance at their stalker — a tall figure with flowing, spiky yellow hair. She was observing them in return.

Thus, the Hanged Man met the Devil.

Chapter Text

Into the Cards

—

Chapter 8: For Someone So Delicious~

“Abbie. Lana. Move very slowly. Don't even make a single sound.”

They gulped.

Were they stupid? Yeah.

Were they ignorant? Maybe a little.

But all three of them knew; the Devil standing over at the edge of the treeline was the same monster who reduced the town they lived on into an abandoned, bloodied graveyard. Mighty casually.

Abbie, Lana and the others had journeyed through this forest for a long, long time. While they knew there were some predators around, they had never, ever seen the legendary creature who brought death to New Aklavia or even had the slightest suspicion she stalked them.

That changed now.

It presumably reacted to Yi Rek’s presence.

‘Help!!’

Is that thing actually messing with my senses, or is something else happening?

His danger sense pinged him every now and then at irregular intervals. It could be just her playing with him, but he wouldn't be shocked if there was something more to it. Or maybe she can only control it for a limited period of time?

After Abbie and Lana had created reasonable distance between them and the monster, slowly — fucking tortuously for sure. It was playing green light without knowing when the time to move was allowed.

In any case…

He pressed onwards to the Devil. “Yo, it's… Sencio. I’ve heard your name is Fen, right? What's up with you, eh? Gonna move?”

Yi Rek had no other choice except to get closer and closer. If she could teleport like Alice, the counter was probably the same. Besides, she was interested in him, right? No reason to follow Abbie and Lana. 

Still, wasn't there easier meals out there, compared to him, a Major Arcana?

‘I- is someone there? Please, I can’t stand it anymore. Living inside her… it's Hell-’

That voice was silenced expeditiously.

Fen displayed her fangs, dripping with hunger.

She confirmed it. That sound wasn't hers, but it was utilized by Fen to her advantage. How could he be surprised?

Major Arcanas had another way to boost power; that was by devouring souls. Fen seemed to put the people they devoured into an eternal loop of suffering-

Hm. No, that might be wrong. There was only one voice he heard. It could be just because they were way stronger than all the others before...

Yikes. Imagine being punished like that for being strong.

It was probably someone important.

This had been kind of encountered before by Yi Rek; Alice “farming” in Paper School. What was different from now to then was he could hear the sheer desperation from one of the victims.

How do I save them?

There was one way.

Putting them out of their misery.

For the first time they had laid eyes on each other, Sencio blinked. That was a mistake. “Shit-”

He grunted, nearly spat his heart out. She lunged at him and the only stopping her from biting his face off was his right arm. Stronger than Alice was debatable, but the way Fen was fighting — she was clearly more chaotic. He kicked her in the gut, lifting her off of him as well as a majority of his flesh.

“...”

Degloved that fast. It was sickening.

He kept sure to maintain distance and his meal from staining the grass. At least Fen ignored those kids, he probably couldn't them from her. Now he had to wait for them to call for help while fighting this thing.

Fen licked her mouth. It's fucking mocking me...

She purred?! The taste was heavenly, to be sure. Fen bsnt down, ready to pounce on him for more of his calming flesh. Growling like an engine, prepared to crush all bodies beneath its wheels. Until now, she had not made a single sound.

No wonder nobody could track her.

His arms regenerated.

“Fuck it. Alright, you want this forest to go down flaming, huh?!!"

He upped the heat, bringing forth cleansing fire the size of a tower. Fen readied herself for the immense burn she was about to experience by extending the black parts of her flesh to cover her “vulnerable” side.

The fires subsided.

She didn't remember much of her days. Not to say she had a rabid form of amnesia, but there was simply nothing worth remembering in her life in the woods. Except for a few special moments, she thought the appearance of a new Major Arcana would be one of those.

When she took hold of his flesh…

It was worth it.

Even if this was going to be the hardest battle yet.

Blinkblink.

Another surprise shook her animal self off of her face for a moment. He was gone. Well, he wasn't gone gone. Yi Rek was running away, already a good ways into the other direction.

Really?

She roared! An earthquake happened along to her loudmess.

Well then, if it wasn't a battle, then it would be a hunt.

Alternatively, one could take this as a sign of her being greatly angry at the sudden turn of events (disappointment).

“G- god."

Abbie was about to fall over if Lana didn't help him regain his balance. The roar was noticeable even after they ran their feet off. Sweat clung to their form and the tree they hid behind. Lana said, “Whatdowedowhatdowedo!? Abbie! He's going to die!”

The town was too far for them to reach in time, especially having to adjust for their direction-less scramble. Right now, the closest places they could go was a church that had a shitty nun, a bar which was probably closed for students like them and a cave, who had someone they were intimately familiar with.

He offered the choices to her, for discussion. 

“Abbie. Are you serious? Her? She's buddy-buddy with Miss Circle! And she…”

Heavily preferred for her alone time to go undisturbed.

The apple boy argued, “Yes! M- maybe. But she's the closest! The bar will take too long too…”

Well, it might be; it might not.

It all depended on how much time Yi Rek could buy himself. On one scenario, he already died and Fen was literally ten meters away stalking them, hidden under the moonlight. On the other, they could literally make their way to the town, call for help and he would still be alive by the time they found him…

Yeah no. The latter was not likely at all. It was basically common knowledge to those who knew about Fen; she could adapt to things in a short amount of time.

“Fine. What use is there anyway, right? We're already dead,"

“But we can't let Yi Rek die... He's a friend,” finished the apple boy.

That would be too much on their poor souls.

He huffed, running as fast as he could. Sometimes, he used the trees as a springboard to accelerate his sprint. He couldn't go too far from where they originally started. It was a terrible prospect if his frantic leaps crossed over Abbie and Lana’s path. 

Yi Rek looked back. The Devil was hot on his heels, ripping the trees apart like a fish through water. While she had gotten faster, he had more than enough tricks to delay this chase. Particularly spitting flames at her eyes and occasionally “exploding” to catapult him away-

“!!!”

He rolled on the ground after being smacked with a boulder the size of a car. Fen’s adaptation didn't seem just to extend to how much force she could output or resist — still had the wits. Sencio was finally forced to confront the rampaging monster, barreling for his damn soul at a hundred fifty miles an hour.

She was too fast and too big to be dodged. Looking at her, he realized the expansion of her body must have hurt her like crazy. Welp, if he couldn't sidestep or avoid this, “Hahhhh…”

It was a split second decision.

Unavoidably, he had to transform into an indestructible shield to the unstoppable sword just for one measly second.

Gathering all breath and blood into one singular motion, his arms shone a bright, proud orange. A surge of burning air scared away the darkness, for as long as a heartbeat. Fen wasn't expecting to eat two suns that night.

BANG!!!

It was a roar expected from something north of a hellfire missile. The suns pushed away shadows; the sound cleaved silence in two. It toppled trees, blew away all the nearby dirt and travelled far, far into the ears of certain individuals.

At Church.

BANG!!!

She woke up. Which wasn't so strange, she knew her sister's “pupil” was probably blowing his lungs out screaming into the mic. This was a special day, after all. It was Friday night, where a bunch of loners, losers were separated from the winners and those who were loved just by their loneliness-

Oop. Getting sidetracked. Silly me.

It wasn’t Death screaming his head off that disturbed her this time. An explosion? On second thought, explosions were the least bit strange. It might be from them…

“Fenfen. Did you hear that?”

She did. Though she wasn't there to answer her. “Oh. Oh dear.”

The nun…

The priest?

No, that didn't fit her either.

Perhaps it was best to call her as the Lovers.  

Fen was loose again. The Lovers put her cap on and unfolded her beautiful wings that didn't exist when she slept. She used them to fly up to the sky, travelling through a large, stained glass as the moonlight greeted in her full glorious form.

"Hope she doesn't kill too much animals. The environment is already getting screwed badly, haha."

In a Bar.

“IT'S YOUR WEEKLY ROUTINE THAT BOTHERS ME.”

The Magician whistled along to the tune. If she didn't do any magic shows, then it was her job to cook the meals or fix the customers' drinks. Crazie could have helped but there weren't many patrons around anyhow. She just spent chewing whatever she got her hands on. 

Crazie knew which ones were safe and which ones that weren't.

Through heavy trial and error…

Returning to the Magician also being a good good, it wasn't like it would have mattered anyway. Rush hour and rowdy visitors were hardly the most difficult task this Major Arcana could ever face.

“BEFORE YOU HURT YOURSELF JUST LEAVE.”

Right now, there were only two people on the stage. One of them was Death, who was the main star in this side of the forest and the other was also another Major Arcana, called the Hermit, who was killing it with the guitar. Might have been the only who could match Death's energy.

“THIS AIN'T THE END OF ME, ALL THE THINGS THAT I COULD BE. THIS IS THE END OF YOU, AFTER ALL WE’VE BEEN THROUGH.”

“Right, if that's all, Mr. Wolf, I’ll get you some of your food. Please wait. Our chef is working very hard.”

Skary was in his cat form, taking orders like usual. It may have been a little odd to have someone that could be overloaded easily work as a waiter, whose job was to listen to people, in an establishment where the main attraction was someone able to break glass, as the lower end of what their voice could do. “Okay…”

The Magician fixed that up with magical talismans. Of course, Death’s voice still couldn't be fully filtered. Not unless Skary wanted to go deaf. Besides, he was Death’s brother. Nobody would act rude in front of Major Arcanas.

“WE COULD HAVE FIXED ALL THIS, END ALL THE BAD BLOOD BETWEEN US. NOW THE LIGHTS ALL SNUFFED, THE COMPLETE END OF YOU-”

BANG!!!

Skary, the Magician, Crazie and the Hermit had their rhythms disrupted. Of course, who wouldn't? A mini-nuke had gone off not too far away from them. The horned girl disguised as a bunny called for Crazie, “Hey girlll. I need your help. Cook up whatever Skary tells you to, okay?”

“Ayeaye, Vivi!” saluted the “blind” girl.

“THIS AIN'T THE END OF ME; I’LL NEVER DIE, NOT UNTIL I SEE THE SUNRISE.”

The reason why Miller wasn't listed with the others was because he seemed to take the boom as a challenge.

Agetha frowned, struggling to get back to their previous tempo and beyond. Heyyyy, that attack feels like it's from my lovely angel. What's he fighting…

They could only hope they didn't die in the process. Would have sucked real bad to wait once more.

Inside a burrow.

A small little candle staved off the infinite coldness for the sole inhabitant of the pit. She couldn't sleep, not even if she wanted to. Close it as hard as she could; there were no dreams for her to see.

BANG!!!

The "loner" produced black blood from some of her pores, falling like a stream of tears. What caused of was not important. On the flip side, this act was somewhat relieving for her so she decided that it needed no further investigation.

“M- Miss Thavel! Please help!” 

That was Abbie, who was dozens of meters away with Lana, from the entrance of Miss Thavel’s home. It wouldn't stop her from reaching them in mere seconds, though. Duh, she was stronger when she was in her element.

Students?

What were they doing here? Didn't they know this forest was dangerous and big, bad people like her were the reason why-

“Yi Rek’s in danger. Help us, you crazy lady!” Lana called out; their lives on the line. Doubt the comment would have swayed the outcome majorly. As the wendigo rose from the dirt effortlessly with a concerned look on her face, Lana was right.

It didn't stop him from glaring at her, though. She was way taller than the last they had seen of her. Bloomie was the second shortest teacher (being bumped up to second by Yi Rek’s enrollment) at six feet two inches and Circle was the largest teacher at nine feet seven inches. 

Miss Thavel was somewhere in the middle, being seven feet four inches, but in the woods (her element) had boosted her form greatly. She was now directly competing with Miss Circle as the tallest teacher in the school.

Thavel replied, “Mmh. Him. Whose attacking him?”

What they said made her realize she still had a heart and it dropped.

Ground Zero.

Fen shrieked.

She received real damage. Her jaw was dislocated, to put it lightly. That wasn't a problem; she was used to breaking her body, even when it happened without her own volition. It had to do with something in these fires, purifying parts of her… soul?

‘Ohhh… I… remember this warmth-’

Fen silenced the voice, again. It wasn't hers, way ahead in regretting killing that critter. Speaking of recalling stuff, a pain like this was not so foreign to the Devil. That chainsmoker defended herself from Fen in their first meeting, but there was an occurrence with a person that resembled Yi Rek more than Xister.

“Jesus… I wanted a minute and you're already rising in thirty seconds? Fuck me,” huffed Yi Rek. There was no use running. He was still clueless where to go. The only landmark he could see was that cursed clearing.

She stood up, entirely unaffected by the flames anymore; it was all snuffed out the instant after. Fen’s jaw was much better than before as well. The same could apply to Sencio, who had his hands be reduced to stumps when he rammed his fists into her face. 

Thank God, my pain tolerance… it's way unreal how much they buffed that department.

It was almost like they knew.

Fen had to thank him, seeing his stare be so steely. It was the eyes of person who accepted it but would still go down raging.

That jogged her memory of long, long ago.

It was after she had gone on a rampage on the town, going away simply because she was satiated, for the moment. Though she wasn't done eating, what was a meal without a dessert? She was tracking four scents in particular. Three children and one adult.

Along the way, eating animals that dared to fight her, she tripped on a little bell. It didn't do anything, so she ignored it. A minute after that, she stumbled upon a wall of trees. This, she destroyed, as well as the second layer beyond that.

She found a cabin for four. Except only one was present, whispering to himself about how smart of him for installing a bell system and deciding that someone not so innocent tripped such a thing — to be fair, the sounds of animals being cruelly devoured was not easy to miss in the dead of night. As well as her screeches.

The caretaker had a blade in his hand. It was splashed with alcohol and lit on fire, burning brightly. If this was how one of the cakes served itself, it would be gluttonous to hunt for more.

She remembered clearly now. Fen took it all slow. His screams. It filled her for all eternity.

The Devil grinned as he took a stance.

Yi Rek planned to face her. If he couldn't run or kill her, it was best to drive her off by making it hurt.

As the leaves withered, they earnestly began their slaughter of eachother. Sencio was full on parrying her hands even as they crushed his knuckles. His flames coating his hands still worked in biting deep into her wrists.

Due to him not having to control the heat so rigorously, to keep it from blowing up the instant he summoned fire outside of his body, the charger fists basically had enough heat to act like a laser.

He grunted. This exchange affected him more than Fen. Sadly, he couldn't form protective armor over himself like Alice; it may simply not be in the nature of his flames. Yi Rek changed to his legs; they were stronger than his arms. It was just real awkward to use-

Close. His neck was nearly slashed open.

As her adaptation caught up, he was forced to solely use his kicks to parry her advancing maelstrom of death. If a human had its own beast-like fighting style, she was it's grandmaster. Soon enough, even his legs couldn't keep anymore.

The Hanged Man was now dodging. It didn't matter. She caught up to that too, getting scarily close to cleaving his head in twain.

Okay, how about...

It might have been stupid but he noticed Fen’s size grew to match her opponent's strength; he figured he could use that to his advantage.

The spear countered the sword.

The axe countered the spear.

The sword countered the axe.

If she was the spear then he was the axe. To grind it down to its basics, Fen was too large to effectively attack someone so close with her long limbs. Fen blinked, which widened as he plunged his fingers into her guts. It nearly pierced her and would have if she didn't slapped him away.

“HISSSSS!!!”

She hissed once he repeated this action several times. Fen swung, only for him to duck and chip flesh off of her stomach. Aiming at his leg didn't work, he could jump over and knock her face ringing. Alright! 

It shouldn't be too hard to do this for a little longer-

Fen roared. It seemed to be a legitimate attack as it threatened to burst Yi Rek’s eardrums. He protected himself by cupping the sides of his head. Fortunately, the Devil stopped; he really thought his head was about to pop because of her sonic scream.

Sencio couldn't rest yet, because a stomp on his head from her would have done him in. He dodged, trying to use this to resume his previous momentum. Yi Rek was a step away from becoming a pile of gore, once again. He regained balance She was open and naturally, he moved forwards... 

Huh?

Fen spun around, "crouching" real low. She had gone for a leg sweep?!

There's no way she's this smart-

By as little as a hair’s breadth, he escaped the maneuver by jumping over it. The dodge didn't matter. She followed up by smacking him with her right hand. If it was any other being, their upper body would have been splattered clean off. FUCK!

He was too late to activate his flames to boost himself out of danger.

Yi Rek crashed into the already cratered ground. He would have become a stain on the ground if he didn't recover in time and hold her leg with all his strength. I’m going to fucking die.

“I WON'T FUCKING LOSE TO YOU!!”

He increased the force behind his push, so did she.

Nononono, NOT LIKE THIS.

It was over.

He screamed one more time.

This was the last in his tank, turning up the heat to slice her feet in half. Being quite experienced in handling pain, she swiftly picked up the person who had the fiery limbs, who was rapidly cooling in each second, with her left hand. He was too fatigued to do anything now.

“Get the fuck off-”

Fen didn't want to listen to his begging.

She propped up one of his arms with her own, almost preciously. Fen savoured him as she bit down on his body methodically. He grunted. Fen dragged his hand, up to even his shoulders, into her stomach. Ripping him apart slowly, but surely.

Ah, it was much, much better tasting the second time around.

He cried out, mindlessly. Pain threshold had pushed to the limits. "Someone help. HELP!!"

A good tune for her to eat the fruit from heaven~

Her fangs were always beastly, but this time — her smile had a cruel humanity. She licked all the golden blood that drenched her lips, as well as even resorting to sucking the blood out of him from the open wound while he was still alive and kicking, no less.

Even melting her flesh didn't stop her from treating him like vulnerable, refreshing juice. “H- hah. Hah…”

He hoped Abbie and Lana were safe...

She giggled as he passed out, purring in ecstasy as if she was cured from her pain by eating him alive-

SNAP!!

It was the perfect moment for Thavel to intervene.

Fen stumbled, releasing Yi Rek. Quickly, the deer brought him away from her to somewhere safer.

Unfortunately, the Devil was barely staggered by what should have killed her. She fixed her neck being nearly twisted off her body by literally spinning it back in place, resuming the chase.

Now in a much frenzier state. She had tasted his “divine” flesh and oh, she was hopelessly hungry for more~

“Hey. Wake up. Wake up-”

Oh. Was it just a dream? That's good…

“ROARRRR!!!”

“Fuck.”

Adrenaline. It came quite late.

Surrounding check commenced. He was in a forest at night. Yi Rek was tired and his right hand was gone. Like, actually fucking gone. His regeneration slowed down, it seemed. So killing a Major Arcana was not as hard as he thought, or maybe that was just how that thing rolled. “Welcome back, security guard. I assume your power nap has been restful?"

One fact he ignored was his savior — Miss Thavel?! She carried him by the collar, like how a dog would care for their children. Yes, his collar was snagged on her fangs.

Right, thar wasn't important. Black… water painted her face?

You know, wouldn't it be better to let him die to have Alice guarantee her win over the Paper School?

“Hey, I thought you wanted Alice to win?”

Or did Alice have something in store for him? Maybe a contract? Maybe she thought it lame to have him die so soon after preparing?

Her answer was unexpected. “You really think we’re a hivemind?”

Ah.

He could tell her reason why was too complicated by the look on her face for small talk. Onto more pressing matters…

"GRRRR..."

Fen had never showed this much emotion in one day, excluding when she did it with the Lovers.

“Thanks, but I don't have any ideas on beating her. You got any?”

She was rapidly gaining on them. Relentless fucking demon.

“None.”

Great.

“But we don't have to, those kids are getting help from people on her level.”

Oh? He grinned, saving the shivers for later in the night. “Sounds good to me. But there's one thing I wanna try. Could ya give me an opening?”

“Very well. Don't waste it.”

Thavel threw him forwards, away from Fen. She turned around to face theirbhunter. The Devil stopped. She changed her targets? Miss Thavel hummed, My job is easier, I guess. Lucky me.

“ROARRRRRR!!!”

It was greatly offended, having her feasting interrupted.

Thavel smirked, “HISSSSSS!!!” 

Yi Rek hid in a bush, skittering undetected by the two giants duking it out.

Has Miss Thavel always been this fast?

Fen was stronger than Thavel was. Inversely, Thavel was faster, in terms of short bursts of speed at least. It was like seeing a bulletproof man try to swat a sonic-speed mosquitoes dead.

The Devil managed to predict where she was going to be and Thavel was winded just from blocking it. She screeched as she was forced into a pushing competition as their hands interlocked. Fen had her hands transform, digging into Thavel’s palm. She grimaced.

Fen was about to bite her head off but the language teacher kneed her in the gut to prevent that, as well as headbutt for good measure. These strikes made both of them bleed, but Fen’s grip stayed too strong-

Welp. Thavel swiped her feet, hooking Fen’s legs and taking away her balance. They fell. The wendigo on top; the Major Arcana below her. With this, Thavel could start bashing the Devil’s fucking face in with her forehead. This deer had a crazy strong one, after all. 

Cool… but this isn't really an opening.

He had one small “flame” on his remaining palm. If pure firepower failed, this cinder contained sheer “holiness”.

“SHKKK!”

Thavel saw Fen’s body pulsate. Yeah, that was a warning sign. She moved back, yet the spikes Fen created from her body nailed their target, through her shoulder and else.

She avoided fatal injuries, at least.

“I will do it! I will do it-"

His eyes focused onto one point of hope to end this nightmare. Weaving the spikes, he landed a poke at the back of her head.

"GROAAAAAAAAHHHHH-"

What?

He thought she would explode, or have his finger uselessly bounce off of her skin. Except, he seemed get an outcome way beyond those two. Yi Rek appeared to make a portal into.. another reality? Like, there was broken space around his form.

Did he really wound up in a different world?

The sky was red and the trees… twisted? More twisted than the forest he was inside a second ago. “Are you… real?”

He heard a timid voice. A brief observation revealed to him someone as short as the noise would suggest, crawling while leaving a trail of blood. A… lamb? Or was that a rabbit? 

Instinctually, he knew what role this entity served. They were the Guardian of New Aklavia’s Forests.

“Lu-me-ii? I-"

“HRAAAAAGHHHHHH!!” bellowed Fen. She banished him from her inner world. For the first time, Fen appeared to reel in her efforts to focus on her injuries…

Thavel got out of her “binds” to check up on Yi Rek. “W- what did you do?”

“I don't know. Let's- let's just run.”

Fen’s body morphed on its own, growing bigger and bigger. At that point, she was probably the strongest creature in this country. Consequently, it felt like she didn't want to experience such a grotesque growth by the way they were gasping in pain. She was becoming an Amalgam of herself — power be damned.

The Devil wasn't going to last three days in that state.

Deep in his heart, he feared, even if it was a day she lasted. She could stroll over to New Aklavia and reduce it to gorey rubble.

D- did I just start another massacre-

‘Shhhh…’

As soon as the beginning of an apocalypse sounded its horns, it stopped with a gentle whisper. The voice inside their heads that weren't theirs could be deduced, coming from above them? Security guard and the language teacher had no choice, acknowledging the holy presence.

“Oh, love. Look at what have they done to you.”

Fen was loved.

They were forced to realize it as the deepest truth.

"A- ahh..."

Miss Thavel was in awe? While Yi Rek understood these thoughts were not their own.

They saw Fen wrapped in a warm embrace, cloaked by many wings of the angel who appeared from nowhere. She landed softly on the ruined grass. The cocoon fixed her; remade her. Her Amalgamation was nullified, thankfully.

“But ah, I cannot blame them. They were just defending themselves. You were hungry, weren't you? You can wake me up, dear Fen. It's my duty to feed you my blood, isn't it?"

The Lovers reached into the feathers, patting the Devil’s head. She had many wings to call her own and one complete, unbroken halo.

“Who is that?” Thavel said to no one, calming down from the high.

Yi Rek grunted, “That’s… I can't believe it. This place really is chock full of Major Arcana-”

Xister continued.

“Welllll, I still can't help but feel the need to murder the ones who hurt you, love. I do know how much you would have loved to keep him for an endless supply of delicious and making him my puppet would reduce the quality, but he deserves it. So does she."

Sadly, they already spent most of their energy dealing with one so their meager resistance amounted to a rather slow rush to stop her. One wing thrummed — Xister mumbled something and slashes appeared on their faces, their eyes.

“If you didn't hear, I said: Hide those filthy eyes away from my beloved.”

It… burned?!

“Mraaaeeehhhhk!!” howled Thavel.

“Hkh!” Yi Rek whimpered. His resistance was grinded out of him.

Xister didn't enjoy seeing people suffer, much less when she was the culprit behind their intense pain. She had two wings glide over their heads. They swooped in to decapitate-

Thunk!

“Mm? Oh my.”

The Lovers giggled, finding familiar talismans blocking her slashes from bursting their throats.

“You should control your pet and you yourself better, dear Shitster. It's unbecoming," insulted the Magician.

Two kids were behind her, mortified of the sight.

“Oh?”

She cupped her own cheeks. Xister purred, “It is so nice to meet you on this outing, little Wiwian~”

To be continued.