After a lot of convincing he accepted, I quickly made my way into the dark shop before he changed his mind.

“Thank You so much” I greet the women as I enter the shop. I hear the creak of the door close before a small light turns on to brighten up the room. As I can see clearly now the shop was filled with many jewels, crystals and items. It reminded me of an old gypsy shop.

“What can I do for you dear” the woman comments as she returns to her pillow seat on the ground, I look down and notice she has cards spread out along the table with certain crystals displayed.

“What are you doing?” I ask as I take a seat on the opposite side of the table, looking down I notice the cards have different images and words on them.

“This my dear is called tarot card reading, I listen to the mana and spirits of the cards and I’m able to tell fortunes and see what the spirits would like you to hear. Would you like a go?” She asks while pouring herself and me a small cup of tea.

‘Tarot reading, I think I remember it from my old life, I’ve never tried it though’

“Yes please, what do we do?” I smile brightly while thanking her for the tea.

“This special tea I can see a Tasseography, and then I shall ask you to place your energy into the cards and the spirits who guide you shall tell you what you seek” I nodded before I took the cup of tea and drunk it slowly, the taste was bitter but had a beautiful aftertaste.

As I finished the tea, it started to make me feel warm inside. Politely placing the tea back down, the woman placed it in front of her before moving the cup around in small circles.

“Hmm, I see a long line of loneliness. You seek freedom from something. Although the loneliness is what is keeping you from being free”

‘My loneliness is what is keeping me from being free?’

“Now please may I ask you to insert some of your energy into the cards” she smiles while laying out the cards face down, I nodded and held the palm of my hands towards the cards. Closing my eyes I think about my energy entering the cards and feeling of what I would like to know.

The women saw the cards slowly gain a small purple glow around them. Now retracting back and opening my eyes there were only four cards left on display.

“The Hermit reversed” she muttered after turning over the first card, there lay a small man with a single lantern. He looked sad.

“This symbolises loneliness. You withdraw yourself from the world too much. So you're becoming too reclusive. You are scared of what you may find if you look inside yourself” she began explaining.

‘Wow’

Now flipping over the second card I see ‘the lovers’ I cock my head to the side at the sight of it.

‘Love huh?’

“The lovers, it is a beautiful card. But as you can see this card is reversed.” 

“What does that mean?” I ask.

“The lovers reversed is about imbalance, conflict detachment. It may not seem like you understand now but you must not lie to those who trust you, or fear other people’s feelings. Otherwise this will lead to your self destruction”

‘Self destruction’

I watched her flip the next card over and there lay a broken tower.

‘Why is it all depressing, is my life really going to be that bad’

“The tower, this symbolises trauma, loss, violence and more painful things”

As I listen to her words the fear of this being real sinks in, am I really going to go through all of this. Maybe because I know this I can change my fate.

“You need to brace yourself, something will happen my dear and it will try and break you from yourself. Do not cave into the darkness.” She speaks kindly to me but there was warning in her voice.

As I wince at the thought of the card, I look to see an angel, confused by the sight of the card I look to the women for answers.

“Judgement”

‘Oh why must my life be pitiful’

“Is this bad too?” I mumble now regretting coming here.

“Child none of these cards are bad, it’s just your own self these cards are reflecting” she smiles.

“Judgment, this symbolises awakening, self-evaluation and forgiveness. Everything these cards have shown are leading to the end event” she says now pulling out one last card from the pile, I look down at the uncovered card and steady my breathing.

‘This is the last card, do I really want to see it’

“If you do not wish to see it, you're allowed to have that” she smiles at me, I think about it for a moment.

“I don’t think I’m ready to see the last events” I mutter. She smiles brightly towards me before handing me a box, cocking my head to the side. I open the box to reveal beautiful purple cards.

“Hecate of magic will show you how to use these. They can guide you and help you jump around your obstacles” she patts my hands before standing up.

“Thank You so much” I blush while holding the cards dear to me.

“You also seeked a gift for your dragon friend did you not?” She asks while moving around her crystals.

‘How did she know that’

“How did y-

I get interrupted by her handing me something, looking down I notice a red crystal glowing in my hand, the way it shined made me think of lava.

“If you get this inserted onto a strong sword it will take the shape of the ancient Yōgan sword. It will change the shape to fit the owner and move like it’s a part of their body” she comments now walking towards the door to let me leave.

“Wait I must pay you!” I comment while trying to search for my pouch, she stops me which makes me look up.

“Seeing into your soul was enough. I hope your wandering self can find what you seek” she prays before smiling. This whole time she knew I was a lost soul. How?

Now pushing me out of the shop she closes the door behind me and draws the curtains. I was now in shock outside.

“Princess! Was everything okay!” Aenon comments while kneeling down to my level. As I regain my right frame of mind I nod before answering.

“We must head to the greatest swordscrafter in the empire!” I grin while patting his head, he scoffs at my answer before turning to direct the knights.

“What’s that you have there princess?” Olive smiles, I put my finger to my lip and pretended to seal it, basically saying it’s a secret.

As we walk from the shop I turn to watch the place get longer in distance and wonder… What was the last card?

….

“The world card” the woman mutters to herself.

“So she will finally achieve what she’s been longing for, but what if what she’s been longing for this whole time turns out to be fake”