They arrived at Sentinel's Peak Estate at noon, the towering structure standing proudly against the mountains. Bliss gasped, clutching Dominic’s sleeve. "Kuya, it’s so big!" she exclaimed, her wide eyes taking in the grand estate.

  Dominic chuckled, ruffling her hair. "Yeah, it’s a fortress, isn’t it? Welcome to the Valverde home."

  Leigh smiled, watching Bliss’s excitement. "Don’t worry, you’ll get used to it. It’s not as intimidating once you find all the best hiding spots."

  Bliss grinned. "Hiding spots? Oh, I’m going to love this place!"

  The Butler gestured gracefully, guiding the Felicio family to their rooms. Leigh and the three Goddesses accompanied them, helping them settle in. Bliss clung to Thesa, her eyes darting around the vast estate in fascination.

  Meanwhile, the boys made their way to the Grand Hall, their expressions turning serious as they prepared to discuss their training plans for the following day. Arden, however, paused at the doorway, his gaze shifting toward the distant mountains.

  "Before anything else," he said, turning back to the group, "let’s visit my Lolo Lando. There are things we need to understand before we begin training."

  Thesa gave a knowing nod to Leigh and the three Goddesses, placing a reassuring hand on Bliss’s shoulder. "We’ll stay here and make sure everything is in order."

  With that, the General, Arden, Zeth, Leigh, Dominic, Marcos and the three Goddesses set off toward Balamban, the air thick with unspoken anticipation.

  They arrived in Balamban in the late afternoon. The mountain air carried the scent of damp earth and wild orchids as Arden led the way. He moved cautiously, scanning the towering trees. The General, escorted by Marcos, wandered not far behind them, lost in thought as he reminisced about his life as a soldier. The others followed in silence—Zeth, Leigh, Dominic, and the rest—all sensing something was off.

  Arden's brows furrowed as he glanced around. The path should have been second nature to him, yet every step felt foreign. He knew these trees, these turns, yet the deeper they went, the less familiar it all became.

  Leigh noticed his hesitation. "Arden?" she asked, her voice laced with concern. "Something wrong?"

  Arden exhaled, rubbing the back of his neck. "This doesn’t make sense. I know this forest better than anyone. But... it’s different."

  Zeth’s gaze sharpened. "Different how?"

  "It feels smaller. The energy—it’s not the same," Arden admitted, scanning the surroundings. "I’ve walked this path countless times, but now it’s as if... the forest itself is leading me astray."

  Dominic chuckled, trying to lighten the mood. "Maybe the trees decided to play a prank on you."

  Zeth wasn’t amused. "Or maybe something doesn’t want us to find our way."

  A tense silence followed. Marcos reached for his blade, his instincts flaring. "Then we should be on guard."

  Leigh stepped closer to Arden, her presence grounding him. "We'll figure this out together. You're not alone."

  The General readied his machete, his grip tightening as he scanned the surroundings. "Something isn't right. Stay sharp."

  Arden took a deep breath, nodding. But deep inside, a gnawing unease settled in. Because for the first time in his life, he was lost in a place that was supposed to be his home.

  The deep hum of an ancient, hidden world had vanished, replaced by an eerie stillness. The once mystical forest now felt disturbingly mundane, stripped of its soul. And that terrified him. He had roamed these lands as a child, searching for others, only to find an endless forest. No villages, no roads, no people—just wild creatures, herbs, and lurking monsters. It was never normal. He had just never questioned it.

  That's when it hit him. Placing his hands on his hips, he exhaled sharply, steadying himself. "Lolo, I'm back. No more tricks, old man. We need to see you—it's urgent."

  A hearty chuckle echoed through the trees. "Took you long enough to get home, twig. Hahaha! Did you get lost?"

  Arden let out a short sigh, shaking his head. "Lolo, you always have a way of making an entrance."

  Leigh glanced around, her brows raised. "Where is he even speaking from?"

  Dominic grinned, cupping his hands around his mouth. "Lolo Lando, are you a ghost now? Should we start lighting candles?"

  Zeth smirked. "So, you've been tucked away in a hidden realm all this time since your reincarnation, Fool?"

  The General, Marcos, and the three Goddesses turned their eyes to Zeth, processing his words with intrigue and curiosity.

  Another chuckle, this time closer. "I expect no less from The Justice," Lolo Lando said, his voice warm with familiarity. "It’s been a long time, young man."

  “Come, come inside my humble place,” Lolo Lando beckoned with a warm smile as the forest around them shifted, transforming into the breathtaking landscape Arden had once described.

  Leigh gasped, her eyes wide with wonder. "It’s beautiful... I’ve never seen anything like this."

  Dominic let out a low whistle. "Okay, I take back what I said about ghosts—this place is straight-up magic."

  Zeth smirked, crossing his arms. "I have to admit, even I wasn’t expecting this."

  The General chuckled, shaking his head. "Every time I think I’ve seen everything, something new surprises me."

  Marcos glanced around, his usual stoicism giving way to admiration. "This place... it's alive."

  The three Goddesses exchanged knowing glances, their expressions filled with reverence. "The essence of the Tarot World lingers here," Diwata said warmly. "It has been a long time, Hermit. How have you been?" Buwan and Akiko nodded in greeting, their respect evident. "You are a well-respected elder of the Tarot World, after all," Akiko added with a gentle smile.

  Lolo Lando chuckled, his eyes twinkling with warmth as he took in the familiar faces before him. "Ah, it’s good to see you all again. Time has not dulled your spirits."

  Arden smiled, feeling a deep sense of nostalgia. "Welcome to my home, General. This is my Lolo Lando."

  The General stepped forward, extending his hand with a grin. "Ah, so you’re the legendary Lolo Lando I’ve heard so much about. It’s an honor to finally meet you."

  Lolo Lando chuckled as he shook the General’s hand. "And you must be the infamous General Valverde. I’ve been keeping an eye on you, you know. Quite the reputation you have."

  Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

  The General laughed heartily. "All exaggerated, I assure you. But I must say, you have quite the home here."

  Lolo Lando smirked. "It serves its purpose. And now that you’re here, I suppose you’ll want to hear the truth about your mission. But first—how about some tea?"

  The group emerged into a clearing. The kubo at the mountain’s edge stood unchanged, a golden lantern hovered at the entrance, glowing steadily.

  “You’ve finally come, boy” he said.

  Arden sighed relief, frustration, and something deeper churned inside him. "You were expecting us."

  Lolo Lando nodded. "Because you never truly left. The moment you stepped out of this forest, the balance changed. The world had been waiting for you to return, and in your absence, it began to reshape itself—preparing for what was to come."

  Arden remembered the day he went down the mountain. Something had watched him that day. Now, standing before The Hermit, he understood.

  The lantern pulsed, and the world around them changed.

  The trees dissolved into a battlefield of endless destruction. The sky darkened, the ground cracked, and Chaos loomed. At the center of it—

  The Fool.

  Arden froze. His mind screamed denial, yet his body knew the truth. It was his past, stripped bare before him.

  “When the Seal of Chaos threatened to break, you did what no one else could.” Lolo Lando’s voice was steady. “You sacrificed yourself—not in death, but in existence itself. You became the seal, binding Chaos away at the cost of your own being.”

  Silence followed.

  Zeth inhaled sharply. Leigh’s brows furrowed. Dominic—usually carefree—stood frozen. The three Goddesses exchanged uneasy glances. The General remained still, fingers curled, while Marcos clenched his jaw in disciplined restraint.

  The battlefield collapsed into darkness—a void between existence and oblivion. Arden's past self had walked into a trap, sealing not just Chaos but his own fate. And the one who triggered it…

  Lolo Lando smirked at Dominic and raised his hand in an exaggerated magician’s motion—like pulling a rabbit from a hat. "What a trick that was, huh?"

  Dominic blinked. "Wait… what? What did I do?!"

  Zeth sighed. "You don’t want to know."

  Leigh patted Dominic’s shoulder. "Just smile and nod, Dom."

  “You should have been lost forever,” Lolo Lando continued. “But I found a speck of your spirit, barely holding on. As The Fool Arcana, you are unique. Your ability to defy fate and rewrite your own destiny played a role in your rebirth. Rather than being completely lost, your spirit naturally clung to the cycle of life, drawn back into this world through my intervention.”

  Lolo Lando sighed, his gaze steady as he looked at Arden. "I found hope, boy. Hope that one day, you would regain your power and stand against the Dark Arcana. That is why I have trained you since the moment you awakened—so that when the time comes, you will be ready."

  He turned his eyes to the three Goddesses. "The three of you have fought hard to defend the Tarot World. Your dedication is truly admirable."

  Diwata gave a gentle nod, her expression serene. "We did only what was necessary, Hermit. The Tarot World is our home."

  Buwan placed a hand on her hip and smirked. "But it’s nice to hear some appreciation for once."

  Akiko chuckled, folding her arms. "We have walked this path for centuries, but it is good to know we do not walk it alone."

  The Hermit gave a faint smile of respect, his eyes filled with quiet wisdom as he observed them all.

  Lolo Lando turned to the General and Zeth. "You two ensured the Arcana's survival when the odds were against them. For that, I thank you."

  Zeth exhaled, his expression somber. "If it hadn’t been for The Sun protecting me, I would have been the one to die. It is my honor to bring them back to life and guide them forward."

  The General laughed. "Bah! What else was I supposed to do? Leigh’s my granddaughter, after all. She just happened to also be The Star Arcana. Makes me a special kind of grandpa, don’t you think?" Lolo Lando chuckled agreeing. "True, true enough hahaha."

  Leigh rolled her eyes, though a smile tugged at her lips.

  Lolo Lando’s expression turned serious. "The Tarot World cannot be reclaimed through brute force alone. Chaos has begun seeping into this world. If we do not act wisely, the battle will be lost before it begins."

  Arden and Zeth clenched their fists, determination burning in their eyes. "So, what’s the plan, old man?" Arden asked, before shaking his head with a smirk. "And please, Lolo, try to explain it properly this time. You’re terrible at giving clear answers."

  Lolo Lando scoffed, crossing his arms. "Or maybe you’re just bad at listening, twig." He grinned, clearly enjoying himself. "But fine, I’ll humor you this time—listen carefully."

  Lolo Lando gestured, and the lantern pulsed. A shimmering figure emerged from its glow—a woman cloaked in light. "This is Kasisay, the spirit of my lantern. Every Arcana weapon holds a sentient spirit, a reflection of its wielder’s soul. Some of you have yet to awaken yours."

  Leigh and Dominic exchanged glances, uncertainty flickering in their eyes. Leigh hesitated before speaking, "Wait… are we supposed to be able to do that? How?"

  Dominic crossed his arms. "Yeah, is there a manual we missed or something?" scratching his head. "Do we chant something, or is there a secret handshake involved?"

  Lolo Lando chuckled, clearly amused. "Imagine this—two of the greatest Arcana, the prideful Magician and the calculating Guardian of Hope, standing here clueless about calling their own weapons’ spirits. Hah! If only they could see you now."

  Leigh frowned, squeezing the scabbard of Venya. "I’d appreciate less teasing and more actual guidance, Lolo. Or is making fun of us part of the training too?"

  Lolo Lando smirked. "Fine, fine. Just listen."

  Dominic hesitated, gripping Arcane Magnus. "Uh… how?"

  "Listen," Lolo Lando instructed. "Your weapon is part of you. A voice you’ve long ignored."

  Leigh inhaled deeply, gripping Venya’s hilt. A warmth spread through her fingers, a pulse of recognition. Her blade shimmered, and a celestial figure emerged, radiating starlight. "Hi, Leigh. Nice to see you again?" the spirit spoke, her voice like a song.

  Dominic’s eyes widened as Arcane Magnus vibrated violently, crackling with energy. Moments later, a swirling, shifting specter flickered into existence, its form constantly shifting between flames, water, stone, wind, and crackling lightning.

  "’Bout time, kid!" it smirked, its voice a blend of five distinct tones layered together. "You gonna keep me waiting forever? Try not to drop me this time, yeah? I’d rather not get another concussion from your butterfingers."

  Leigh stared in awe. Dominic blinked. "Wow. That’s… a lot."

  Buwan, The Moon Arcana, stepped forward. "We’ve had ours for centuries too," she said, lifting her twin crescent blades. "Meet Naktala and Lunara."

  Two ethereal figures appeared—one serene, the other fierce.

  "Greetings, mortals," Lunara said with a bow. "May the moon’s light guide you."

  "Hah! If they can keep up," Naktala scoffed. "I doubt any of you could survive a real fight in the dark."

  Buwan sighed. "Naktala, must you always be so dramatic?"

  "Aren’t you the fierce one? Why am I always the one getting scolded?"

  Buwan laughed. "And now you're talking back to me?! Bold move, Naktala!"

  Diwata lifted her staff. "And this is Suyod, the Keeper of Healing." A golden-lit spirit nodded in greeting.

  From the shadows, another presence stirred. Akiko, The Temperance, stepped forward. She raised her twin fans, their silver edges catching the lantern’s glow. "Balance is key in all things. And these are my guides, Kazenagi and Mizuhana."

  Two spectral figures emerged—one sharp and unpredictable like the wind, the other fluid and serene like water. Together, they embodied Akiko’s harmony between destruction and peace.

  The group exchanged stunned glances. "Wait, didn’t she use a staff in Japan?" Dominic muttered.

  Leigh narrowed her eyes. "Why the sudden shift to twin fans?"

  Buwan chuckled. "She is far more dangerous with those fans than she ever was with a staff."

  Akiko exhaled softly. "Kazenagi and Mizuhana are too destructive to use in confined spaces. My true strength lies in large-scale battles. The staff was to limit my power and prevent collateral damage."

  Dominic whistled. "So, you’ve been holding back."

  Akiko tilted her head, a knowing glint in her eyes. "Restraint is also power, isn't it? True strength lies in knowing when to unleash it and when to hold back. I’ve spent lifetimes mastering that balance—only a fool wields power recklessly."

  All eyes turned to Arden first. He blinked, slightly taken aback by the sudden attention. His brows furrowed; confusion evident on his face as he searched for an answer he didn't yet have. Akiko let out a soft chuckle, gesturing apologetically. "Oops, did I say too much?"

  Lolo Lando turned to Arden and Zeth. "Both of you lost your weapons in the war, but they are not gone. Your spirits wait for you. You must reclaim them."

  The lantern’s glow pulsed. The air grew heavy with unspoken urgency, as if the very fabric of the world was holding its breath. A distant hum resonated through the ground, low and foreboding. Something was awakening—something that had been waiting, watching, bound by time and fate.

  Zeth cracked his knuckles. "About time. I was starting to feel naked without it."

  Arden smirked but said nothing. Something deep inside stirred—a pull toward something long forgotten.

  Then, a whisper echoed in his mind, a faint memory. A flash of silver steel, the weight of a weapon perfectly balanced in his grip, a voice laughing in the wind—a voice both familiar and distant. The scent of iron and rain lingered, the echo of battle cries fading into silence. His pulse quickened as a name hovered at the edge of his mind, just beyond reach, waiting to be remembered. A name—his name—spoken in a voice he hadn’t heard in lifetimes. The feeling of power surging through his veins, of something lost yet yearning to return, pulsed through him like an old heartbeat awakening.