The Glorious Evolution

It didn’t matter if the rest of the cards were gentle, harsh, confusing, or hopeful... the first and final card never changed.

The Dealer’s hands were now shaking a little... he looked at the Five of Wands and the pile of Towers spread across the table.

He uttered the first thought.

”Internal chaos...” he said slowly, pointing at the Five of Wands. ”Five separate wills fighting inside you...”

Then, he pointed at the Tower cards next.

”And this...” He took a breath. ”This means the fight inside you doesn’t stay inside... It spreads... It turns into something outside you.”

”Something big... Something destructive.”

He looked up at Levi, his tone and gaze were no longer playful... he was as stern and as solemn as a wise man, who spent centuries of his life sharpening his craft.

Hence... these results, he believed in them with all of his heart.

”No matter how I read the cards, your path always ends the same way... The chaos inside you will create chaos outside you. Something is going to break, and when it does, it won’t be small.”

Levi still didn’t speak, but the surrounding atmosphere grew tense and ominous... even Jasmine, N’ibby, and the rest of the viewers felt slightly suffocated by what he said.

The Dealer pushed the Tower card across the table toward him.

”Destruction. Upheaval... A fall so violent it shakes everything around you.”

Levi listened silently, but even he... couldn’t help but feel his heart beating rapidly at such dreadful reading of his future.

”And the terrifying part? It won’t come from enemies... or destiny... or even the universe.”

The Dealer’s stellar eyes locked with the orbiting three celestial stars and said solemnly.

”It will come from you...”

Levi had no idea if the Dealer was telling him this to mess with his mind since they were still opponents, but he had a feeling that he wasn’t lying to him.

”If you want a full Divination with details, add me after the game ends.” The Dealer collected the cards as he whispered inwardly, ’His existence is such an enigma to me... I don’t know why, but I am getting interested in him more than I would like to admit.’

Levi had no idea that the Dealer kept some details to himself... details, he wasn’t comfortable sharing in public about Levi. Although he seemed playful, annoying, and casual, when it came to such serious matters related to his Lineage’s Legacy, he respected the rules.

One of the main rules was full Divinations must be held in private like a doctor or a lawyer session... clients of the Fortunari had nothing to fear when it came to their privacy as they took a heavenly vow to not spill crucial information even if their lives were at risk.

The Fortunari managed to keep their legacy afloat outside the eternal conflict because of this... all sides considered them as a true neutral force like Nocturn, trusting them with their secrets and futures if they were willing to know.

What the Dealer had offered Levi was just that... a chance to let him in on his secrets so he could get a clearer Divination and help him avoid that ominous future.

And yet... Levi didn’t respond.

He knew, responding meant affirming his Divination in public... which meant, he was indeed hiding something within him that could cause upheaval.

The last thing Levi needed was the upper echelon’s attention... he already was going to have plenty considering his access to Void/Sunflame Aspects.

It seemed like the Dealer was smart enough to realize this too... hence, he didn’t take Levi’s silence as a full-on rejection. But, a chance to rekindle their meeting offline.

After the Divination concluded, Levi didn’t stick next to the Dealer for long... he went to the door and sat there, awaiting the end of the round. He was left deep in thought about the Divination’s results.

’Ash... I know you aren’t the best fan of Fate and Destiny... but, what are the odds of eight Divinations ending with the same future? Destruction and Upheaval?’ Levi wondered.

’I don’t believe you should allow fate or destiny to decide your path.’ Ash’Kral replied calmly, ’This stands for your situation... the cards can show the same future a hundred times, and it shouldn’t change anything about how you tread on your path.’

’Follow your heart and never allow this result to make you second-question your decisions... that’s how you make it true... always.’

Hearing this, Levi found that he was given more questions than answers... he pulled the chained-up Joker Card, which he got from the Dealer, and then, he started bending it over and over again with his fingers.

His Harmonic Spine was painting the chained Joker card with bright colors... and yet, it merely highlighted its frightening appearance and grin... that foolish, but creepy grin... like everything was a game to it.

That’s when Levi recalled the last sentence written on the death game’s interface.

’Only fools laugh last...’ Levi murmured inwardly, ’Indeed... only fools laugh last as they are the only ones able to maintain their ignorance... I was fine a few minutes before, and now... I am not.’

As much as Levi tried his best to avoid thinking about the Divination, he simply couldn’t escape it... if it was some random fortune-teller doing it, he wouldn’t pay it much attention.

But, the Dealer was able to touch the Fate Aspect through lesser Aspects connected to it... he might not master it yet, but having a connection was enough to solidify his Deviations.

For he, tapped into unknown forces... not even Ash’Kral seemed to understand fully.

Although Levi had just calmed down the Three Origin seeds... their existence was still a massive threat to his life.

This Divination just solidified his future to be filled with destruction and pain because of his inability to unify their wills as one.

’Am I destined to fail at solving the Three-Body Problem?’

Before this question could take root in Levi’s mind and have it poison all the hard work he put down, he shook his head and erased it.

’Whether the Dealer is right or not... I am not going to accept it.’ Levi uttered coldly, ’I still have a debt to my parents to uphold justice for their murder and a promise to keep with the Three Ancestral Trees... whether I succeed or fail, I won’t allow anyone to look back and say that I didn’t give it my best.’

’Never.’

***

The Third Round...

After the second round concluded, the Dealer didn’t bother Levi anymore... he went to irritate the rest of the Rifters like nothing occurred within his combat room.

Meanwhile, Levi refocused on winning the game, leaving what happened in the second round in the past where it belonged.

’Drayven somehow survived against Madam Future... but his condition looks even worse.’ Levi thought as he gazed at Drayven, who was sitting on the floor... his body bleeding all over from sharp thin wounds. His muddled eyes made it seem like he was phasing in between conscious and unconscious.

From all the Rifters, he was the sole one this heavily injured... The Hollow Titan, and Madam Future were the only ones still unscathed. The rest did suffer from some light injuries, but nothing too serious.

This meant... everyone was going to aim at Drayven again, believing that he was almost out of special cards while in such a bad state.

”Let the reshuffle begin!” Gamemaster Gamble announced.

Levi lowered his head to face the screen, and after a short delay, it displayed a word that elevated his mood.

-Challenger.-

’This is good... I have another shot at getting Drayven’s Joker card if he hasn’t already used it against Madam Future.’

Levi glanced in the direction of Madam Future, who resembled a silent doll wearing a flowery blue dress... her appearance was otherworldly and unique, like she was born in a different universe.

Her face was blue and covered in dark openings near the jaw and the temples... from those dark holes, a mysterious, illuminating blue essence was being released constantly. She had no hair, but this mist made it seem like she had one that was alive.

Suddenly, she turned her head in Levi’s direction and gave him a slight head nod in a polite greeting... then, she refocused on the screen, not saying a word.

’This game... I have a feeling I have to come at it from a different angle if I want to win.’ Levi murmured inwardly, believing that he might lose this game even when he was clearly doing great.

His competition was simply too strong and bizarre...