This...this doesn't seem like a dream..., Andrew mused with some concern.
The last thing he remembered was praying to a certain God before passing out. And that certainly didn't put him at peace.
Especially considering that his prayer seemed to have been planned by someone else.
In any case, in the middle of this "dream", the only thing he could see was a black steeple standing in an equally black wasteland. Its size was normal, well maybe a little bigger than normal, but even from the outside Andrew could notice many strange details.
The entire structure seemed to follow a purely random architectural order. The long staircase leading inside suddenly went right, left, then up, and then down.
The same was true for the rest of the structure, with windows that were set diagonally from the rest, and much much more.
After stopping to observe and think for a while, he decided to walk inside. At worst, he would have died. At best, he was already dead, and a kind God had accepted him into his Divine Kingdom.
Or maybe it was truly a dream.
…Yes, maybe that was the best option.
In any case, his curiosity about the place was certainly very high. He felt he was too awake for a normal dream, and besides, he had no control on it.
He tried to imagine the appearance of something familiar, like his house, his bike, or something else. But he got no reaction.
In any case, the ladder was giving him a stomachache. The ladder had in fact made an absurd turn on itself, and now Andrew was somehow walking upside down.
It looks like... what did Emperor Roselle call it? Oh yes, a hamster wheel!
Whatever a hamster is...
Eventually he reached the interior. A long corridor led to a single large room, but at the same time the corridor was decorated with many open doors that revealed rooms that seemed the same but varied in layout or other traits.
Some rooms had the lights on; some had the beds rearranged.
Others, however, broke the laws of physics, having the bed and all the decorations positioned on the ceiling while the chandelier was on the floor.
I wonder how the Chancellor would react to this room...
Ignoring the interior, fearing he might see something he shouldn't see (something strangely common for Beyonders), he decided to move toward the epicenter of all this madness.
As soon as he set foot inside the central hall, Andrew realized once again the impossibility of such a building, as the size of the room seemed to far exceed the entire steeple.
On the floor laid what appeared to be tarot cards, pendulums, star charts, wands, and a few mirrors. Searching for a common denominator, Andrew realized something.
They were all well-known ways to do a divination!
Even if incapable of using Divination Arts, these objects immediately led to the concept of divination in the minds of men!
Suddenly, a giant shadow cast itself across the floor filled with these objects.
Looking up at the previously missing body, Andrew felt his breath stollen.
Majestic.
It was the only way to describe this… being.
A gigantic silver serpent hovered in the air. Like the previous stairs, the serpent's body seemed to be contracting until it was biting its own tail.
As he gazed at the majestic body, Andrew couldn't help but feel disappointed.
He didn't understand where this feeling originated until he looked more closely at the body.
"It's incomplete..."
He didn't know why or how, but he knew something was missing.
The grandiose serpent lacked something that would have made it truly great.
"Certainly, if I had shown myself complete, you would be dead by now."
The silvery creature detaches its mouth from its tail until a voice originated from its jaw. The voice coming from the serpent's jaws was powerful and dignified.
…But also strangely young; in fact, it seemed as if the great creature was making an effort to not appear even younger.
The serpent's body started to descend. It was not a fall, but rather a slow descent from Heaven to Earth.
Like one of the many divine messengers narrated in stories.
Despite this, at the moment of "impact," there was no sound, no creaking or anything else, just pure silence.
In the end, he could only watch as the great entity settled into its place till the point its gaze fell on him.
…
Andrew couldn't say he was afraid. He could feel his heart pounding, yes, but he was definitely not afraid.
He couldn't understand why either, but he didn't feel afraid, only excited.
Its eyes continue to look at him and thus he decided to speak.
"…Excuse me, but where am I, and if I may ask, what are you?" His words were a little hasty, but he couldn't keep them in his mouth.
Releasing a hiss from its mouth, the serpent opened its jaws once more.
"You are in a dream, or rather, your dream. Consider me a guest…"
"A guest…" Andrew repeated the words with some confusion and curiosity.
Realizing his answer hadn't been very satisfying, the silver being decided to clear up any doubts.
"If you're so curious about my true nature, then I can tell you."
"R-Really?!"
The Beyonder's voice came out louder than he expected.
At that moment, the serpent raised its body, casting a shadow, which had previously been strangely missing, over the boy's body.
"If you wish so, you can consider me The Fool's Angel of Mercury."
At that moment, immersed in the shadow, Andrew's heart stopped completely.
All his excitement finally and rightfully turned to fear as he looked away.
"Don't look at God"
One of the cornerstones imprinted in everyone resonated in the young man's mind.
The same thing would have happened with a king, a nobleman, a commoner, and a homeless person.
One should never look at a God or His Angels.
Andrew, who only yesterday had been surprised to hear the drunkard mention a demigod, immediately realized his mistake as he bowed deeply.
"I-I beg your pardon, Your E-Excellency! I b-beg your pardon for my i-ignorance!"
Of all the outcomes Andrew had thought of, meeting an angel wasn't even a thing!
Following the pronunciation of the Honorific Name, he thought that at most a demigod from the Church of The Fool would show himself, but this—!
"Lift your head, I already told you I'm not in my true form, right?" The Angel's voice was tinged with annoyance, and probably because of this, Andrew immediately raised his head.
So quickly that his neck hurt!
Wait, can my neck hurt in a dream?
As soon as the doubt appeared, the pain disappeared.
Placebo effect? W-Anyway-, bringing his mind back on track, Andrew cleared his throat before continuing.
"Excuse my rudeness and ignorance, powerful Angel, but what would a great entity like Yourself desire from someone of my rank?" His voice echoed throughout the room, and this time Andrew tried to not shout.
Who knows, perhaps even if it was a request for forgiveness, if said it in a loud voice it could be seen as annoying, or even arrogant.
"I'm not interested in your strength, but rather in your Fate", the voice of the great (young?) Angel echoed throughout the building. A clear symbol of the difference in voices between the two beings.
"My Fate?"
Fate, what a curious word…
Andrew searched his mind for any information that might explain what this word meant in the world of the Beyonders.
The Evernight Goddess was known as the Lady of Misfortune. Misfortune was tied to Fate, right? Many sailors prayed to the Lord of Storms for a safe route home.
Saving a life from death, or making a choice that changes everything, isn't that a form of Fate manipulation?
By making choices every day, do I change my destiny?
While the boy was lost in thought, the Angel decided to interrupt him.
"Yes, not only interesting in itself, but also because of that external influence", hissing after the last part, the Angel decided to stop and observe him.
After a few seconds, He said, "I'm sure you've already noticed."
Using his enhanced memory, Andrew tried to recall all the events of his life. Sure, as a Sequence 8, it was impossible, but still, it was always better to try. Especially when you have an Angel in front of you.
In the end, there was only one answer, only one event mattered in his life so much that would be of interest to Angelic beings.
"Do you mean the Honorific Name of the mighty Fool?" His words were full of respect for a God toward whom he truly felt nothing.
It was simply to avoid speaking ill of a God in front of one of His Angels!
However, at the words spoken, the Angel fell into a profound silence.
If Andrew had dared to analyze the serpentine face, perhaps he would have detected annoyance.
"...Yes, I can assure you that no one from our Church has done anything of the sort. I simply observed the result in you.
Even Mr. Fool seems to agree with my analysis."
"I see..."
So the culprit is not among the Church of The Fool!
Since his theory was only half correct, the digestion was incomplete, only about half.
Now he felt that only one push was missing.
I'm almost there—!
"I have a proposition for you", the Angel said lazily.
"!"
The boy gasped.
A proposition! From an Angel?!
The Serpent Angel's voice rang out again, "I value the master-apprentice relationship, and so I propose one to you.
I care not for the ranks of the Church, but for now on, you will join as my apprentice.
I will teach you about Beyonder Laws that you don't even imagine. In exchange of course I and the Church will require your service from time to time."
The Angel's muzzle approached the boy as it opened its jaws in what might be called smiled.
"So? Do you accept?"
…
This is a great opportunity.
I can only trust His words and believe that it wasn't really them, but even if I had doubts, the possibility of joining an organization as an apprentice of one of His Angels is undoubtedly an advantage.
I could receive secret and private information!
Relishing the great advantages he could have, a smile grew on his face.
Like that woman said, it's impossible to advance in any path without knowledge and connections. I've been hesitant to join a Church because of their limitations, but joining one as a disciple of an Angel is another story!
He finally managed to part his lips from the emotions as two words came out.
"I accept."
The new master seemed happy with the answer as He began to move freely around the boy, slowly enveloping him.
"Good. In that case, we must decide on how you should refer to me…"
""Your Excellency", isn't that fine?"
The snake seemed almost offended by his proposal as He glanced at him. Once He was finished, He continued circling him.
"The relationship between master and apprentice is closer than you think. It's the sharing of the master's experiences and knowledge with the apprentice, who must thus strive to achieve goals never achieved till he too becomes a master.
Yes, it's a relationship based on the master's trust in the apprentice. And trust can't be unequivocal, so calling me with a high-sounding name would ruin this relationship from the start!"
The Angel's voice, now very youthful, as if he'd let himself go, was calm and quiet. Like that of a parent carefully explaining their mistakes to their child. Just like, in fact, the voice of a master.
"Mr. Mercury? No, that sounds bad…", Looking down at the ground, the Angel examined one of the many cards before chuckling a little more.
"Wheel of Fortune, huh? I wonder what that guy would think, eh eh."
He finally stopped spinning and approached the boy's body once again; His jaws open in a smile.
"You can address as Mr. Fortune."
Mr. Fortune…
As Andrew continued to think of that name, the newly proclaimed Mr. Fortune looked up at the ceiling of the building.
His sharp, intense gaze gave the impression that the Angel was not only able to overcome the physical barrier of the building but also to penetrate the veil of dreams and reach reality.
"You have to wake up soon… In that case, I only have two things to tell you", He said with His face still pointed upward.
Slowly, His body began to rise, and Andrew felt the death grip built around him slowly weaken until it disappeared.
"I've had a member of the Church come get you. Once you wake up, she'll tell you more... also, don't ruin the origami, it's our means of communication. Keep it on you when you go to sleep."
Andrew blinked several times until the words registered correctly.
The origami? The one given by the 'child'? Was he by any chance one of the Church members? Or another apprentice?
"Your name?"
Mr. Fortuna asked rather hastily, perhaps the dream was truly about to end.
"A-Ah, Andrew Locke M-"
--------------------
"Uuuuuuuugh, wh-what?"
Unpleasant as they were, these were the first words that came out of his mouth upon awakening.
The red light of the Moon coming in through the window indicated that at most few hours had passed.
He raised his hand to rub his eyes, which no longer had his glasses on, only to stop after a brief jolt of pain.
My nose..., Andrew thought as he pulled his hand away.
Luckily, the blood had coagulated, so at least his hand was clean.
?
A brief flash of red appeared on the palm of his hand, coloring and forming a symbol.
Unfortunately, perhaps because of the speed, or the pain that was still throbbing, he couldn't figure out what the symbol was exactly.
As quickly as it had appeared, it disappeared.
...It seems normal...
As he pondered this oddity, he noticed something else.
Not something on his hand or on his body.
But underneath his body.
Too soft!
Placing his hands on the bed to get up, he confirmed his doubts.
It wasn't his room!
The room was undoubtedly far more luxurious than anything he could afford, at least for now.
From the elegantly framed paintings, the floral motifs on the wall, and the handcrafted wooden furniture, everything screamed one thing.
Money!
After a quick glance, he managed to notice his glasses on the bedside table and his coat leaning against the wall near the bedroom door.
By chance, his gaze landed on the door. The latter, carefully decorated like the rest of the room, began to slowly open.
He wasn't the slow-moving type you usually hear about in horror stories, but rather the slow manner of the noble classes, their slow walks, their slow ballads and slow songs.
A gentle maiden entered through the door, her appearance stealing the young man's breath.
She seemed older than him, a few years at least, but that didn't change her beauty. Long, silky blonde hair and brilliant emerald eyes with pearly white skin. Her clothes didn't seem to match or be worthy of the nobility that emanated from the woman, but nevertheless, perhaps because of the woman herself, the clothes suddenly seemed to become of the highest class.
Calmly and elegantly, the newcomer closed the door and then offered him a brief smile. She seemed amused by his small blush as she finally offered a textbook bow.
"I welcome you. You can address me as Ms. Justice."
J-Justice?!
Recognizing the tarot card, Andrew's mind, previously focused on the girl's beauty, which rivaled his mother's "friends," now received another blow.
Up until now, Andrew had only heard two entities use a name related to the famous cards, a God and an Angel. So his first reaction was—
"I-Forgive me, Ms. Justice. But are you also one of Mr. Fool's Angels?"
The noblewoman's confidence and perfect posture seemed to take a blow when her emeralds, which could hardly be called eyes, opened.
Regaining her composure, she shook her head gently, "I would like to, but unfortunately I can't call myself one yet. It's a coveted and difficult position to achieve, after all."
Her words carried desire and respect, but just the right amount to the point of making Andrew jealous.
Faced with such subjects, even he, obsessed with his image as a gentleman, couldn't keep his composure. Yet this girl could even breathe nobility and elegance!
It's a bit unfair...
Ignoring the boy's internal thoughts, the noblewoman seemed to decide it was appropriate to state her position.
"As you may have already understood, I am part of the Church of the great Mr. Fool, but to be more precise, I am part of the Tarot Club."
Andrew didn't know much about them. There were rumors about the Tarot Club, but they weren't very uniform. Now that he thought about it, it made perfect sense that the Tarot Club had ties to the God called The Fool, or rather, Mr. Fool as His believers liked to call Him.
After all, The Fool was also the number 0 of the Major Arcana, the deck created by Emperor Roselle.
The same goes for Justice and the Wheel of Fortune...is it a tradition? Defining yourself using the cards of the Major Arcana?
"...Ms. Justice, if it's not rude, could I ask for more information about the Tarot Club?" His tone was calm, but more to avoid any form of anger than to express his own state of mind.
Ms. Justice nodded gently, "Of course, but before that would you like some tea?"
"I'm sorry?"
Looking at the boy confused face the lady resumed talking.
"You had many encounters during this night. And most of all, things went by with such a speed that you must feel confusion, right? It would be good for your mental state to take things easy for a minute or two", she concluded with a slight tilt of her head.
"And please, don't worry about it. As the owner of the house, I have a duty towards the guest. I'm sure a gentleman like you can understand."
Eek
Defeated by the woman smile and thinking he could only nod.
At that moment from the door entered three men, but that alone wasn't worth to be surprised.
What was worth to be surprised was the fact that each of them were identical!
Are they real?, Andrew wondered with narrowed eyes.
Perhaps he was still in a dream.
While one of the men put a coffee table on the ground, the other the chairs and the last one the tea, Ms. Justice simply seated elegantly while she kept her gaze on him.
"You do have a strong intuition. You are right, they can't be described as real", the woman explained while waving her hand.
In that moment the butlers that put themselves in a greeting posture started to vanish into nothing as if they never existed.
"T-Thanks", was the only thing that Andrew told as a response to the compliment.
His mind was already wondering on the power that Ms. Justice had just shown.
She mentioned my mental state, could she be a Spectator? A-Also now that I think about it, she answered my thought!
While sitting he took a quick glance at the fair maiden that was simply smiling at him.
Finally she took her cup of tea and stole a very slow sip.
With her eyes closed she said, "I made them put in my tea the right quantity of sugar that I desired. Of course you are free to put as much as you like."
With some doubt he took two cubes of sugar and put them in his cup. After shaking it with the spoon he brought it to his lips.
The flavor was rich yet elegant, nothing like the other teas he ever tasted.
Finally the adrenaline accumulated during the day started to vanish and he could feel some tiredness presenting himself.
Forcing himself awake he muttered, "I'm ready", before stealing another sip.
The noblewoman nodded once before starting.
"The Tarot Club is the most important organization within the Church. It even predates the foundation of the Church itself, or rather, the foundation of the Church in the Fifth Epoch. After all, Mr. Fool is a powerful ancient God; we cannot guarantee that His faith wasn't present in times long past…"
Her voice was gentle and filled with something akin to nostalgia.
"Every Monday, we had the privilege of uniting with each member in His Divine Kingdom…back then, we were weak and inexperienced Beyonders, but thanks to His guidance, we have achieved remarkable strength."
Her voice was now filled with pride, and Andrew could certainly understand the source of that pride.
No matter what organization you ask, the answer will be the same.
"Our exalted ones meet under the gaze of the Goddess/God."
But being able to meet within a Divine Kingdom? Something unheard of.
At this point, a question arose in the back of his head, a small one, but as time passed, it grew and grew.
"Excuse me, Ms. Justice, in this case, what does my situation make me? F-From an organizational standpoint, of course."
Ms. Justice's lips curled downward as she entered a state of reflection.
Only after about ten seconds did Andrew receive an answer.
"Actually, even we Tarot Club members had few encounters with the Angels who sit next to Mr. Fool throne. I've only had one encounter with the Angel of Mercury, and that was only out of necessity. I believe that normally, that would make you worthy of being a Tarot Club member, but unfortunately, that requires Mr. Fool's approval."
Her eyes became serious beyond belief, and Andrew glimpsed her pupils becoming narrow and long like a lizard's.
"Mr. Fool has entered a deep sleep. This is related to a matter of the utmost importance! Therefore, I ask you to refrain from praying to Mr. Fool unless in times of danger."
Feeling an incredible pressure, Andrew could only nod. He was obviously curious about what matter required a God to sleep, but he decided to remain silent.
Very soon the pressure vanished from the room and Andrew felt relaxed in a unique and special way.
Ms. Justice, now regaining her senses, seemed to smile delicately as she clasped her hands together.
"I was able to observe that strange mechanical being near you. Could you tell me more about your situation?"
Andrew began to recount all the strange events of the passed days in detail, including Melissa's name.
He didn't know why, but during the story he wasn't thinking about the possible danger that he was putting the girl in; he was only thinking about describing the situation.
When he reached the end, he offered his own considerations and the possible guilt of the Chancellor.
Ms. Justice remained silent for a long time and finally nodded without a smile.
"I'll have a meeting with the rest of the Tarot Club to decide what to do. Meanwhile, tomorrow, together with you, we'll question the Chancellor. Oh, don't worry, there won't be any pain, and he won't remember either."
The last part was added a little hastily, to address the slight curiosity that appeared on the student's face.
When it seemed that discussion was finally over, Ms. Justice assumed a more relaxed posture.
"Tell me, would you like a piece of cake?"
--------------------
Note: Obviously, what Andrew saw was just a shadow of Will's Mythical Creature Form.
I was undecided about who Andrew would meet between Audrey, Leonard, Fors, and Xio. But in the end, I ruled out Fors and Xio because they don't know Melissa, and Leonard was ruled out because he's never contacted Will.
Yes, Audrey hypnotized Andrew, but it was only to get the most objective information possible.
And don't worry, there will come a day when Andrew will look at Melissa the same way he just looked at Audrey.
I can finally confirm something: yes, that brief mention of Andrew falling down the stairs was a reference to when Klein ascended to Sequence 0. He made the whole world stupider just by being born, and so Andrew, who was on the stairs, fell.
Fun fact! I had in mind (before Melissa) to create a story between an OC and Audrey. Something like the protagonist being Audrey's Minor Arcana that was in love with her.
The main point would been him that try to make her fall in love with him.
He should have been from the Warrior or Arbiter pathway.
I hope the chapter doesn't feel too rushed or anything.
I'm sorry to say that unfortunately, due to some issues, I'll be busy for about a month. I'm very sorry.
Thanks for reading this far!