Selene, whose hand had just finished aligning all the cards, maintained a neutral expression:
"You have, in summary, 13 options. You may choose two cards. One of them will be discarded at random, and you will receive both good and bad news. However, the outcome depends on which card you choose to discard."
She paused, then continued:
"Pride, Wrath, Ambition, Solitude, Sloth, Greed, Freedom, Sorrow, Loyalty, Wisdom, Justice, Courage, and, lastly, the King."
"Choose wisely," she said, her gaze carefully following his every movement as she revealed some of the cards on the table.
The tent was silent, the dim candlelight casting flickering shadows along the walls, while his eyes scanned the cards before him, each more imposing than the last. His hands rested almost reverently on the cold surface of the table, his focus drawn to the images of the apostles—symbols that would shape his destiny.
His gaze first settled on the Card of Pride. A proud warrior in gleaming golden armor dominated the image, reflecting light in a way that nearly blinded the eye.
Confidence radiated from his expression, his eyes fixed on an unseen horizon, as if the world itself lay at his feet.
Behind the figure stretched a desolate battlefield, yet the warrior remained untouched, towering above all that surrounded him.
Beside it, the Card of Wrath pulsed with raw energy.
A hooded figure with flaming hands seemed ready to consume everything in its path.
Anger radiated from the card almost tangibly, the figure's eyes blazing with fury as the flames danced and devoured everything within reach.
It was a card of motion, urgency, and imminent destruction.
The Card of Ambition depicted towering mountains, a lone climber straining upward toward a distant, unreachable sun.
Gold and shadows interplayed across the image, conveying a relentless pursuit, no matter how much had already been conquered.
Ambition etched itself into every tense line of the climber's body, promising that there was always more to achieve, always something beyond.
The Card of Solitude showed a lone figure in an empty field, shrouded in mist.
Hands reached outward as if seeking something, yet the gaze was lost, fixed on the void.
The card carried a profound sense of detachment and silent despair. The emptiness around the figure felt infinite, unending.
The Card of Sloth displayed a figure reclined upon a throne of withered flowers, eyes half-closed, posture lax and careless.
Time seemed to have halted for this figure, who had surrendered entirely to inactivity.
Feet rested on a pile of unopened papers and books, while the card's muted grays and browns emphasized stagnation and lethargy.
The Card of Greed showed a man with burning eyes clutching coins and jewels, a golden crown upon his head. Yet the gold melted and slipped through his fingers like sand.
Behind him stretched an infinite field of riches, yet nothing seemed sufficient—a bottomless void consuming all, never satisfied.
The Card of Freedom depicted a figure standing with arms wide, poised to take flight. The sky behind was endless, chains and bars reduced to distant fragments, powerless to bind him.
His eyes radiated pure ecstasy—a sense of absolute autonomy, unshaped by any external force.
The Card of Sorrow was dark, melancholic: a figure seated by a lake, shoulders slumped, gaze lost in the water.
The reflection revealed a larger figure, yet even so, they seemed to sink, consumed by shadows. Every detail spoke of profound loss, as if the weight of the world rested on those hollow eyes.
The Card of Loyalty showed a kneeling warrior, head bowed, offering his sword to someone unseen.
Despite the chaos of battle raging behind him, his unwavering commitment shone through, outlined in a golden aura that symbolized steadfast devotion and unbreakable bonds.
The Card of Wisdom radiated serenity. A figure meditated among ancient books and symbols, stars and constellations forming a cosmic backdrop. Knowledge seemed always just out of reach, yet within grasp for those willing to understand. Eyes closed, the mind appeared to encompass the universe itself.
The Card of Justice depicted a figure holding scales, blindfolded yet unshaken. A ruined city formed the background, yet the scales remained balanced, embodying the eternal struggle for truth and fairness.
The Card of Courage showed a figure in fierce combat, sword raised, confronting an unseen threat. Posture firm, gaze resolute, no fear—only the immense will to face the unknown, whatever the cost.
The colors suggested a storm on the verge of breaking.
Finally, his eyes fell on the Card of the King. Bathed in red and gold, it portrayed a noble figure in regal attire, eyes filled with quiet sorrow. The crown lay discarded, the ruined castle behind a testament to power exacted through sacrifice. It was a card of culmination, of leadership demanding ultimate selflessness.
The observer exhaled, fingers brushing the King's card, tracing its intricate gilded details. His thoughts turned inward: each apostle reflected a piece of himself, yet also a trial to endure. And in the end, a sacrifice was inevitable.
With deliberate motion, he reached for the Card of Justice with one hand while setting aside the King's card with the other.
Selene's enigmatic expression softened into a subtle smile, eyes glinting with understanding.
"A king must always make sacrifices for his people, mustn't he? A difficult path, an intriguing choice. The weight of the crown is not measured in gold but in the decisions that shape the future of all."
She gathered the cards with precise grace, gaze fixed on him. After a pause, her voice softened, almost reassuring:
"In the end, the outcome will be good."
The observer remained silent, watching the King's card removed from the game—a symbol of an irreversible decision.
Lucian rose, mind heavy with thoughts of destiny. Turning to his companion, Lediye, he said:
"Let's investigate the mysterious cases in the schools first. That's where the strongest emotions gather. Besides, we still have enough time for the deadline."
Lediye sighed and nodded, a faint smile tugging at his lips despite the sarcasm in his voice.
"More work," he muttered.
The two stepped into the night, shadows stretching long beneath the flickering streetlights. The cold wind carried an unsettling sense of anxiety.